Expectations Towards The "Nationalist" Nation-Building Policies of Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram (1938-1944) And Their Influence On Respect For The National Flag, Continuing To The Present Day A Case Study Of Students At Prince Of Songkla University, Pattani Campus.

Abstract

This study aims .The first quantitative finding reveals that the overall expectation of students towards nation-building policies related to the respect for the national flag is low, with 67% of the students indicating minimal expectations. The second finding indicates no significant difference in expectations based on personal factors as per the survey results. Qualitative findings include the followings. Attitudes towards Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram, under the concept of authoritative governance, are mixed. Some students perceive him as a nation-builder and a contributor to the development of Thai democracy, while others view him as a dictator. His influence on the ideological space has both positive and negative effects up to the present day. Students generally view having a Thai national anthem as normal and a representation of patriotism. The process of creating meaning and rhetoric for the Thai nation through the national anthem continues to have an influence. The students' expectations towards nation-building policies under the concept of nationalism, aimed at cultivating new behaviors and values among the citizens, are not widely accepted in the current social context. This makes the nationalist approach to nation-building unsuitable in contemporary society. The study concludes that students at Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus have low expectations towards nation-building policies leading to respect for the national flag. Their attitudes towards Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram and the Thai national anthem are mixed, both positively and negatively. Furthermore, nationalist policies in nation-building are not accepted among these students in the current context.