Revival of the Village Scout Movement to Bring about Reconciliation

(06/10/2011)

The Government has revived the village scout movement, aimed at bringing about reconciliation and harmonization, in line with one of its urgent policies. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has signed an order appointing a Committee on Reconciliation and Harmonization, which would carry out village scout activities in order to promote harmony and unity among the people. The committee is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Police General Kowit Wattana, with representatives from various ministries and village scout clubs in all regions of the country as members. At its first meeting on October 3, the committee was told that Prime Minister Yingluck wanted all sectors of Thai society to protect the institution of the monarchy. To achieve this aim, it is necessary to foster reconciliation and harmonization, while restoring democracy at the same time. In this way, the Government needs cooperation from civil society, and the village scout movement is part of civil society. The committee was entrusted with setting guidelines for the mobilization of the reconciliation program through village scout activities. The program must encourage public participation in showing loyalty to the three pillars of Thai society, namely the Nation, the Religion, and the Monarchy. It will also seek to promote the national identity, reduce social division, and fight the drug problem. The program will be launched officially on November 15 this year. The committee also decided to hold a major gathering of village scouts across the country in celebration of His Majesty the King’s 84th birthday anniversary this year. Two major gatherings will be organized next year: one to celebrate the 80th birthday anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen and the other to celebrate the 60th birthday anniversary of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn. The village scout movement in Thailand was launched in August 1971 by an army officer in order to promote national unity and fight against the "communist threat" spreading throughout Southeast Asia at that time. It was developed into a countrywide organization to provide training in scout activities for officials, business people, and the general public. The movement was found to help reduce the gap between officials and villagers. Later, in March 1972, Their Majesties the King and Queen had an opportunity to observe village scout activities in the northeastern province of Udon Thani. They granted a fund of 100,000 baht for the scouts to acquire scarves and other items. Their Majesties also accepted village scout activities into royal patronage. In recent years, however, the operations of village scouts have been on the decline. The present government has come up with the idea of reviving the village scout movement, as part of its national reconciliation program.