Asst. Prof. Lojana Manodhaya
Abstract :
The discourse that asks, “What are soldiers for?” has been used by political parties as part of their election campaigns to emphasize their intention to reform and reduce the military’s role. However, in reality, when the nation faces critical situations such as the great flood of 2011, natural disasters like earthquakes, or building collapses, the recurring image we see is that of soldiers being deployed to help the people. Even in times of border tensions and clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, soldiers have been on the front lines. Thus, the discourse “What are soldiers for?” has, in turn, prompted a public response that reflects the significance, importance, and capability of the military in protecting the nation—missions that may demand great sacrifice, even to the point of disability or death.
From this concept came the inspiration to create the artwork “Pita!!! What are the military for?” in the form of an Art Toy. The process began with gathering information about military missions and related discourses from credible websites and platforms, which were then synthesized into conceptual sketches. In the design, the form of a “cat” was chosen to represent the soldier.
Materials – Foam was used as the internal structure, while paper clay served as the main sculpting material. The surface was carefully sanded smooth before being finished with acrylic paint.
On the left side, the figure is dressed as a fully equipped combat-ready soldier. On the right side, the figure represents a wounded soldier who has lost an eye and a leg in battle, relying on a prosthetic limb and a crutch for support. On the back, a knife bearing the logo of the political party that coined the original discourse is stabbed into the figure.
This symbolic composition allows the artwork to effectively convey its intended message.
Art Toy : Art Toy is a new form of artistic expression that involves creating art in the form of toys. Art Toy designs often incorporate elements of pop culture and values to appeal to a wider audience.
Paper clay is a type of molding material made mostly from paper pulp. It hardens on its own without requiring baking.
Objectives :
5.1 The objective is to support and encourage soldiers — individuals whose duty is to protect the sovereignty of the nation — yet who have been disparaged and undermined by political groups harboring prejudice against the military, thereby diminishing the dignity of Thai soldiers.
5.2 To develop creative skills using paper clay and mixed media.
Conceptual Framework :
The discourse “What are soldiers for?” was spoken by Mr. Pita Limjaroenrat during a campaign speech on June 18, 2023, in which he said:
“For 80 years, Thailand — what are soldiers for? Who are you going to fight with? Suppose someone invades, I don’t believe we would win. Besides, it’s a matter of weapons. Neighboring countries that used to quarrel no longer do so. Suppose someone invades, I still don’t believe we would win.”
These remarks were seen as belittling the dignity of the Thai military, whose duty is to safeguard the nation’s independence and security, defend against both external and internal threats, protect the Monarchy, preserve national interests, support the government’s development missions, and assist citizens during disasters.
During crises such as major floods, earthquakes, or building collapses, soldiers have consistently left their bases to help the people. More recently, the border tensions and clashes between Thailand and Cambodia have once again underscored the essential role of the military, turning the discourse “What are soldiers for?” into a viral phrase. The majority of the public responded by affirming that this is precisely why the nation needs soldiers.
At a time when the military’s role as the “protector of the nation’s borders” has become more evident, countless citizens have expressed their support and encouragement to those serving on the front lines—men and women who defend the country at the cost of their own lives. In contrast, the political party that originated this discourse has shown no tangible actions that demonstrate genuine service or gratitude toward the nation.
“Pita!!! What are the military for?” features a cat as a symbolic representation of a soldier. On the left side, the cat appears as a soldier dressed and ready for patrol.
This concept originated from an earlier line of creative ideas that inspired the creation of the Art Toy piece titled “Pita!!! What are the military for?” The design continues from the artist’s previous series of cat-themed works, including “Stray Cat – Adopted Cat,” “Bionic Cat,” and “The Corrupt Politician.”
In this work, the cat is depicted as having lost an eye and a leg from stepping on a landmine, symbolizing the sacrifice of soldiers in battle. On the back of the cat, a knife bearing the logo of the political party that coined the derogatory discourse is stabbed and firmly lodged — representing betrayal and disregard toward the military’s duty to fight and protect the nation.
Meanwhile, on the right side, the cat is portrayed wearing a patient’s uniform, symbolizing a soldier who has fulfilled his duty in battle and suffered severe injuries in the line of service.
Process / Methodology :
The process began with collecting information and interview articles from thinkers, scholars, and political analysts through various websites and online platforms related to the role and mission of the military, as well as discourses associated with it. The research also included studying the characteristics of military uniforms, hospital patient clothing, and the structure of prosthetic legs. These materials were analyzed and synthesized to form the conceptual foundation for creating preliminary sketches. Throughout the process, careful attention was given to artistic composition, including elements such as form, balance, and color usage in the artwork.
Techniques and Materials :
Paper clay is a versatile sculpting material that can be molded into various shapes. It contains a foam core, and to create the cat figurine, the clay must be divided into separate parts, including the head, torso, arms, and legs, before being assembled. Once the structure is complete, the surface is carefully smoothed to ensure a refined finish before painting the cat using acrylic paints. The cat’s eyes are crafted by combining a small glass dome with pre-made plastic eyeballs to enhance the figurine’s depth and expression. In this artwork, a real knife is used, with the logo of the political party that originated the discourse attached to it, and it is stabbed into the center of the figure’s back. The metal rod of the prosthetic leg is made from a PVC pipe core wrapped with foil stickers, while the crutch is crafted from a steel tube with a wire core, then wrapped once more with a shower hose resembling aluminum to create the final form.
Result / Conclusion :
The artwork “Pita!!! What are the military for?” reflects a critical perspective toward those who hold prejudice against the military profession—despite the fact that soldiers must often sacrifice their blood, flesh, and even their lives, facing danger and death to preserve peace and order for the nation and its people. They must always be prepared to defend the sovereignty of the country from any form of invasion.
In terms of form, the piece takes the shape of an Art Toy, using the figure of a cat to symbolize a soldier. On the left side, the cat is dressed in full military uniform, complete with a helmet and bulletproof vest, ready for combat. On the right side, however, the cat represents a soldier who has shed blood and made sacrifices, yet receives little in return—facing criticism from certain politicians or citizens who claim to stand for democracy, but continue to denounce or belittle the military.
The work underscores the contrast between sacrifice and misunderstanding, portraying soldiers who lose eyes, legs, or even their lives in the line of duty, guided by their deep sense of responsibility and devotion to protect the nation’s sovereignty. Against this backdrop, the repeated discourse — “What are soldiers for?” — becomes a poignant reminder of society’s conflicting views and the unrecognized valor of those who serve.
References :
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สวัสดีค่ะทุกท่าน! วันนี้ RTA Knowledge โดยทีมโฆษกกองทัพบก . [อัปเดตสถานะ]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/19MilitaryCircle/posts/%EF%B8%8F%EF%B8%8F%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%82%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%90%E0%B8%98%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B9%E0%B8%8D-%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%8E%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A2-%EF%B8%8F% EF%B8%8F%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%84%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%97%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%99-%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%89-rta-kn/1143314671131051/
สรุป ทหารมีไว้ทำไม เปิดอำนาจหน้าที่ของทหาร 5 ข้อ ตามพระราชบัญญัติ จัดระเบียบราชการกระทรวงกลาโหม.(2568, พฤศจิกายน10). sanook.com. https://www.sanook.com/news/9188638/
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