Entertainers told to love country

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra preached patriotism to more than 300 actors and actresses, singers and radio hosts of military-run stations yesterday, asking them to demonstrate their love for their country by helping protect the national interest.

The celebrities were called in to meet the prime minister at Government House by the Internal Security Operations Command.

''Patriotism is a key that drives many countries to great success,'' Mr Thaksin said.

He said freedom of expression was a beauty of democracy. However, he cautioned his visitors against believing everything that appeared in the media.

Mr Thaksin said they did not have to agree with the government if anything it proposed was wrong or if it made life a misery for people.

''The nation always comes before the government. The nation is more important than the government,'' he said.

Mr Thaksin said entertainers could be strong campaigners for the energy-saving campaign because many people looked up to them as role models.

He said he wanted people to join forces with him in working for the country.

--Bangkok Post 2005-06-06

"He said he wanted people to join forces with him in working for the country."