The civilian no less than the soldier, said Vajiravudh, must be willing to defend the nation. For, he asked in a speech, are not civilians also Thai? "What language do civilians speak so that they need not perform the duty of defending their nation and their land? Even wild animals know how to protect their nests and lairs. If we do not defend our homeland, are we not worse than they?" And in another speech the King stated: "If we love the nation, we must protect the nation. If the Thai lose their freedom, there will no longer be a Thai race.