Army Air Defense soldiers complained to the PM and Defence Minister that their commander’s order to start work at 8 am by lining up to sing the national anthem caused trouble to their personal daily routines, especially sending their children to school.

According to Matichon, on Feb 11, a written complaint was sent from the Army Air Defence Command to the Prime Minister and Defence Minister, saying following Army Chief Gen Anupong Paojinda’s policy to instil patriotism and loyalty to the monarchy among soldiers, Army Air Defence Lt Gen Yutthasilp Doychuenngam has experimented with changing working hours from 8.30-16.30 to 8.00-16.00 as of November last year. The soldiers have to line up to sing the national anthem and take a vow of loyalty to the army and monarchy.

Col Choteanan Suphirun, Deputy Commander of the Air Defence Artillery Battalion attached to the Command, said that prior to the order, the soldiers had been asked to participate, and they said they could do so. It was not so strict. It was flexible in cases where soldiers had tasks to do, including sending children to school. Many military units in Bangkok had been successful with this, accommodating soldiers who could not sing the national anthem to sing, said the colonel.

Army Spokesperson Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said that he did not know about this. If there was such a complaint, the soldiers should have complained to their commander or superiors.

Thai national anthem is played twice a day at 8am and 6pm at many public places, and everyone stands up.