Unofficial Translation
ROYAL DECREE
PRESCRIBING THE NATIONAL CULTURE
B.E. 2485 (1943)1
In the name of His Majesty King Ananda Mahidol,
The Council of Regency,
(By the Notification of the President of the House of Representatives
dated 4th August B.E. 2480
and dated 16th December B.E. 2484)
Arthittipyapha,
Pridi Banomyong
Given on this 28th day of September B.E. 2485 (1943)
Being the 9th Year of the Present Reign
Whereas it is expedient to prescribe a standard of culture of the nation so that it
may be practiced by the people:
The Council of Regency, in the name of His Majesty the King, by virtue of section 6 of
the Nation’s Culture Act, B.E. 2485 a Royal Decree is hereby enacted, as follows:
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Translated by Mr. Tohpong Smiti under contract for the Office of the Council of State
of Thailand's Law for ASEAN project.- Initial version- pending review and approval.
DISCLAIMER: THIS TEXT HAS BEEN PROVIDED FOR EDUCATIONAL/ COMPREHENSION PURPOSES
AND CONTAINS NO LEGAL AUTHORITY. THE OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE SHALL ASSUME
NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY LIABILITIES ARISING FROM THE USE AND/OR REFERENCE OF THIS
TEXT. THE ORIGINAL THAI TEXT AS FORMALLY ADOPTED AND PUBLISHED SHALL IN ALL EVENTS
REMAIN THE SOLE AUTHORITY HAVING LEGAL FORCE.
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Section 1.
National Culture”.
This Royal Decree is called the “Royal Decree Prescribing the
Section 2. This Royal Decree shall come into force as from the day of its
publication in the Government Gazette.
Section 3. Every person shall maintain good manners in a public place, or
in places apparent to the public, by:
(1) Not causing cacophonous noises without reason, or using spoken
words in a satirical or lewd, rude way, or speak in a manner that is derogative to
those who uphold or promote the culture of the Nation;
(2) not use force to huddle and scramble in a crowded place, such as
when taking public transportation, when purchasing tickets to gain entry at a
thoroughfare, or when accessing an entry into a place in which entertainment is
shown, etc;
(3) not causing nuisance by surrounding or obstructing others without
reason;
(4) not causing filth, or writing on surfaces which should not be written
upon;
(5) not bathing by public roadways which are a public gathering;
(6) not sitting, laying or standing upon the railing of a bridge;
(7) not sitting or laying upon a walk way;
(8) not using force to seize alms or in receiving freely given items.
Section 4. In one’s conduct towards the home and abode, every person
shall maintain tidiness insofar as is visible to members of the Public by:
(1)
Not drying garments or any other items in a disorderly,
repulsive manner;
DISCLAIMER: THIS TEXT HAS BEEN PROVIDED FOR EDUCATIONAL/ COMPREHENSION PURPOSES
AND CONTAINS NO LEGAL AUTHORITY. THE OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE SHALL ASSUME
NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY LIABILITIES ARISING FROM THE USE AND/OR REFERENCE OF THIS
TEXT. THE ORIGINAL THAI TEXT AS FORMALLY ADOPTED AND PUBLISHED SHALL IN ALL EVENTS
REMAIN THE SOLE AUTHORITY HAVING LEGAL FORCE.
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(2)
Not writing, marking or displaying messages or images that are
repulsive;
(3)
Not allowing personal effects to be in a state of disorder;
(4)
Not building toilets and a place for litter and filth in a way that
is repulsive.
Section 5. Within the vicinity of the Thessaban, insofar as it may be
visible to members of the Public, and outside of the Thessaban, for the area which is
prescribed by the Provincial Governor, with the approval of the Minister of Interior,
no person shall dress in a way which shall deride the honour of the nation, for
example, by wearing garments gathered up, wearing only underpants, wearing
trousers intended to be used as sleepwear, wearing only Pha Khao Ma or being
topless, or for women, wearing only brasiers, wearing a only a band of cloth over the
breasts.
Be that as it may, wearing garments according to popularity that are
respectful, at vacation resort, or a place for bathing, or for participating in a sport
may be allowed, where it is suitable according to the time and place.
Section 6. Every person shall respect uniform procedures or customs,
these being:
(1)
To pay respect together, to the National flag, at times when
raised an drawn, at the times officially prescribed;
(2)
To pay respect to the National flag, the Chalermphol Flag, the
Flag of the Battleship, the Flag of the Youth Brigade or the Flag of the Boy scouts, at
times when such flags are raised or drawn at a Government Office, when such flags
are officially brought or displayed during a march or at a military unit, a Youth
Brigade, or at a Boy scout gathering;
DISCLAIMER: THIS TEXT HAS BEEN PROVIDED FOR EDUCATIONAL/ COMPREHENSION PURPOSES
AND CONTAINS NO LEGAL AUTHORITY. THE OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE SHALL ASSUME
NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY LIABILITIES ARISING FROM THE USE AND/OR REFERENCE OF THIS
TEXT. THE ORIGINAL THAI TEXT AS FORMALLY ADOPTED AND PUBLISHED SHALL IN ALL EVENTS
REMAIN THE SOLE AUTHORITY HAVING LEGAL FORCE.
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(3)
To pay respect to the National Anthem, the Song of Honour to
the King, and other songs of respect which are played during official events, social
gatherings, or at a place of entertainment.
Section 7. In a public place, or at a place that is visible to members of
the Public, a Thai person shall not ask from a foreign person, anything which may
cause it to appear in such way as to be frowned upon by them.
Section 8. A Thai person shall maintain an attitude and manner relating
to their profession that is industrious and dedicated, showing politeness in speech
when in contact with customers, employers and to passengers of vehicles.
Section 9. A Thai person shall promote the development of literature
and the Fine Arts, by refraining from acts which may cause the decline of the
honourable reputation of the Nation or Buddhism.
For the part which concerns public entertainment, the Minister having
charge of the Royal Decree shall have the power to specify; the form of
entertainment, the musical instruments used, the instruments used, the way
instruments are used, the nature of, or the plot to be shown. He or she shall specify
that which shall be; prohibited, which shall require prior permission, or permission
which shall constantly be obtained, or which shall be obtained prior to each show.
Section 10. A Thai person shall prefer that which is Thai, by not looking
down upon the Thai Nation or the Thai people in any way which may cause
dishonour to the Nation.
Section 11. The Minister of Public Health, the Minister of Interior, and the
Minister of Education shall have charge and control of this Royal Decree.
DISCLAIMER: THIS TEXT HAS BEEN PROVIDED FOR EDUCATIONAL/ COMPREHENSION PURPOSES
AND CONTAINS NO LEGAL AUTHORITY. THE OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE SHALL ASSUME
NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY LIABILITIES ARISING FROM THE USE AND/OR REFERENCE OF THIS
TEXT. THE ORIGINAL THAI TEXT AS FORMALLY ADOPTED AND PUBLISHED SHALL IN ALL EVENTS
REMAIN THE SOLE AUTHORITY HAVING LEGAL FORCE.
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Countersigned:
Field Marshall P. Pibulsongkram
Prime Minister
DISCLAIMER: THIS TEXT HAS BEEN PROVIDED FOR EDUCATIONAL/ COMPREHENSION PURPOSES
AND CONTAINS NO LEGAL AUTHORITY. THE OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE SHALL ASSUME
NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY LIABILITIES ARISING FROM THE USE AND/OR REFERENCE OF THIS
TEXT. THE ORIGINAL THAI TEXT AS FORMALLY ADOPTED AND PUBLISHED SHALL IN ALL EVENTS
REMAIN THE SOLE AUTHORITY HAVING LEGAL FORCE.