The Speaker of Parliament called on students and the public to develop ideals of patriotism and love of democracy. He explained a pilot program where parliamentary police and staff line up to salute the flag every day at 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., aiming to create a new image for the parliament that reflects national pride.
On 6 June 2026, Mr. Sophon Sarum, Speaker of Parliament, spoke during a special lecture titled "Thai Parliament: Connecting the Power of the New Generation, Strengthening Community Networks" at the launch of the 2026 fiscal year project to enhance the parliament's image and public participation. The event was organized by the Secretariat of the House of Representatives and the Parliament Radio and Television Station, held in the conference room of Alvarez Hotel, Nai Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang District, Buriram Province. Over 300 attendees included executives from the Secretariat of the House of Representatives, management and staff of the Parliament Radio and Television Station, students, community development volunteers, local leaders, and residents from Buriram and nearby provinces.
Mr. Sophon Sarum, Speaker of Parliament, stated that to foster public respect for democracy and patriotism, the parliament must set a good example. The parliamentary police, dressed in their official uniforms, have the role of instilling discipline within the parliament. He emphasized the importance of cultivating a positive image because reputation matters greatly. In society, institutions must care about public perception; only with public trust can an institution endure, but without it, survival is impossible.
If locals see parliamentary police and staff standing at attention to salute the flag at 8:00 a.m., it will foster positive feelings and respect toward the parliament. This practice promotes discipline and serves as a good example to the public, nurturing patriotism and a sense of safeguarding national sovereignty. It symbolizes that without sovereignty, the flag cannot be raised to the masthead. Although it may seem like a small act, the image presented to the public is profoundly significant.
Most importantly, this connects to students and the public. The first step in instilling democracy is cultivating discipline. We must build discipline starting with ourselves, the Secretary-General of Parliament, and all government officials. We have discussed changing our image. Therefore, if we want sustainable democracy, society must transform its image to truly benefit from democratic principles and reach their essence, even if some aspects cannot be directly expressed, the effort to instill them remains key.
Students and youth are the country's vital force. We want to instill democratic values in this generation. I have policies to nurture democracy among youth through various programs, including youth parliaments, debates, competitions, and contests, among others.