What English name is used for Thailand's Ratthaniyom decrees?

Thailand’s Ratthaniyom decrees are called the Cultural mandates in English. They were a series of state directives issued mainly between 1939 and 1942 under Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram.

The mandates sought to reshape everyday behavior while strengthening a centralized Thai national identity. They addressed respect for the national and royal anthems, use of the Thai language, consumption of Thai products, appropriate clothing, work habits, and treatment of children, older people, and disabled people. The program also encouraged Western-style utensils and dress as symbols of modernity.

The decrees are closely associated with the Thai Cultural Revolution and with the broader policy of Thaification. They aimed to reduce regional and ethnic distinctions by presenting a single national culture, sometimes at the expense of local languages and customs. The first mandate helped establish “Thailand” as the country’s official name in 1939.

“Cultural mandates” should not be confused with royal decrees or modern economic campaigns. The phrase refers specifically to Phibun-era state directives, not every cultural policy issued by a Thai government.