Those who refuse to stand when the royal anthem is played can be held liable under Articles 6 and 15 of the National Culture Act B.E. 2485 (1942), which refers to Article 6 (3) of the Royal Decree on National Culture B.E. 2485 (1942).

According to Asst Prof Prasit Pivavatnapanich, Faculty of Law, Thammasat University, unless nullified by more recent laws, the older laws are still applicable. Nevertheless, attempts should be made to study if there are newer laws that nullify or impose changes on the existing laws.

The laws and penalties related to paying respect to the Royal Anthem can be listed as follows;

The National Culture Act B.E. 2485 (1942)

Article 6: The culture that individuals must practice, apart from that specified in this Act, is specified by the Royal Decree in the following cases;

1. Orderliness of dress, ethics, and etiquette when individuals are in public places or exposed to the general public

2. Orderliness in conducting oneself and in one’s conduct in one’s residence

3. Orderliness of one’s behaviour that has a bearing on the Thai nation and Buddhism

4. Capability and etiquette with respect to how one earns living

Article 15*: Those who violate Article 6 of the Royal Decree may face a fine of no more than 100 baht or a term of imprisonment of no more than one month, or both.

*[Article 15 was amended by virtue of the Act (version 2) B.E. 2486 (1943)]

Royal Decree on National Culture B.E. 2485 (1942)

Article 6: All individuals must show respect according to uniform rules and customs comprising:

(1) Collectively to pay respect to the national anthem at 08.00 am every day

(2) To pay respect to the national flag, the army flag, the naval flag, the Military Youth Division flag, or the Boy Scout flag, when it is raised or lowered on the site of a government office, when it is raised by a government office, or when it is raised in front of a formation or unit of the military, military youth or boy scouts.

(3) To pay respect to the national anthem, the royal anthem, and other anthems played at an official service, social ceremony or entertainment venue.

The laws were enacted during the nationalist regime of Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram. Apart from these, there are many laws giving guidance to people’s behaviour with the aim to preserve the nation’s noble culture including;

Announcement of the National Culture Council on the culture of married couples

Announcement of the National Culture Council on regulations on how to pay respect among the Thais

Announcement of the National Culture Council on regulations concerning the use of names

Announcement of the National Culture Council on dress and etiquette related to one’s career

Announcement of the National Culture Council on the dress of individuals in certain professions

Announcement of the National Culture Council on regulations concerning the consumption of food

Announcement of the Office of the Prime Minister on Thai wedding ceremonies

Announcement of the National Culture Council on Thai wedding ceremonies

Announcement of the National Culture Council on travelling by bus

Announcement of the National Culture Council on funeral services

Announcement of the Office of the Prime Minister on the conduct of married couples

12^th Nationalist Announcement of the Office of the Prime Minister on the protection of children, older persons or the disabled

11^th Nationalist Announcement of the Office of the Prime Minister on daily activities of the Thai

10^th Nationalist Announcement of the Office of the Prime Minister on Thai dress

9^th Nationalist Announcement of the Office of the Prime Minister on the Thai language and books and the duties of a good citizen

8^th Nationalist Announcement of the Office of the Prime Minister on the Royal Anthem

Royal Decrees

The B.E. 2495 (1952) Royal Decree on the Establishment of the National Culture Council

The B.E. 2489 (1946) Royal Decree on the Revocation of the B.E. 2485 (1944) Royal Decree on Theatrical Performances

The B.E. 2487 (1944) Royal Decree on National Culture (ter)

The B.E. 2486 (1943) Royal Decree on National Culture (bis)

The B.E. 2485 (1942) Royal Decree on National Culture

Translated by Pipob Udomittipong