In the 1970s, the "Village Scout Movement" arose in Thailand, not only to counter communist insurgency but also to intimidate anyone critical of the government. This text explores the movement as an example of the deliberate use of mass psychology. It bridges both macro and micro levels of analysis to place the dynamics of a national political movement within an understanding of its workings at a village level. The Village Scout movement featured a five-day ritual as its primary criterion for membership, and this text analyzes the use of such ritual in the formation of the nation state. It explores the differences between left-wing movements based on common class and material interests, and right-wing movements, such as the Village Scouts, which crossed class lines and drew support by exploiting emotional and symbolic issues.