The Political Rhetoric of Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat as Prime Minister of Thailand

Abstract

This study aims to study the construction and use of rhetoric by Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat and to provide guidelines for those interested in the art of public speaking. The study methods are 1) collect rhetorical data of Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat from 10 published speeches and opening remarks; 2) create a framework for data collection; 3) analyze the data; 4) present the results of the study using descriptive analysis; and 5) summarize, discuss the results, and provide recommendations. The study revealed that Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat, as the Prime Minister of Thailand, possessed the following rhetorical skills in using the Thai language: word choice, including the use of word sets, reduplicative use, repetition, and the use of questioning; figures of speech and comparison, including the use of metaphors and similes; metonymy; proverbial idioms, including the use of proverbs, expressions, and aphorisms; and content credibility, including prior research, the use of academic terminology in foreign languages, citing direct experience, citing statistics, citing principles, and providing details. Persuasion Reducing and avoiding conflict includes making excuses and giving reasons. Creating encouragement includes expressing confidence, creating intimacy, and expressing empathy or shared emotions. All of Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat's rhetorical constructions were found to be related to their use in communicating directly with the audience, namely, to win the hearts of the Thai people and create an image of a good prime minister.