King's military boot camp 'trains' thousands of . . .
Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2019 9:50 am
This gets creepier and creepier when you think of what gets unsaid. For example, the program would not have to stretch too far to become like the East German Stasi with its snitch network?
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thousands of civil servants, police and teachers are being sent to a military camp in Thailand for intensive training in community service and loyalty to the monarchy, according to the Royal Palace and interviews with trainees and organizers.
Seven program graduates who participated in the “Volunteer Spirit 904” training told Reuters they woke at 5 a.m. for light group exercise, then lined up to practise military-style salutes before classes on the history of Thai kings and training for community service.
“There must be discipline and there must be rules,” said Sumet Tantivejkul, 80, who teaches the courses about King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the king’s widely revered father.
“Participants live together, eat together, sleep together ... Old people stay with young people so the young learn from the experience of the old and the old can also learn about the young,” Sumet said.
https://ca.reuters.com/article/idCAKBN1XB2UYSince they were first established, the 904 courses have been expanded from palace officials, soldiers, police and civil servants to include university lecturers and students.