Thailand's Recent Events

[Masquerouge]

I think there are a lot of worse leaders than the king of Thailand, some of them even elected.

 

[LesCanadiens]

When will Thailand stop being so xenophobic and racist?

 

[Tee Kay]

When will Thailand stop being so xenophobic and racist?

Why do you say that?

 

[Tee Kay]

For one, he used his own money to fund projects that help the rural farmers with their agriculture and harvest and so on.

Another, he visits every province once a year (at least when he was younger) to just see how the things are going, including the south

Yes, that is the main reason why the Thais respect the King so much, it's not just mere superstition. In Thailand, the monarchy is still very much part of life, and it act as a stabilising force in Thailand. It's one reason Thailand managed to remain a strong and independent country throughout the turbulent 19th and 20th century.

Long live the King!

 

[LesCanadiens]

Why do you say that?

I'd like to know, that's why. Considering that they're almost deliberately tanking their own economy because of their fear of foreigners, it would be interesting to see just how far up the creek they're willing to follow their own xenophobia. Viet Nam's GDP and growth rate have already surpassed Thailand's, and if they don't stop being such xenophobic wankers, the rest of the region will as well in short order.

 

[Tee Kay]

I'd like to know, that's why. Considering that they're almost deliberately tanking their own economy because of their fear of foreigners, it would be interesting to see just how far up the creek they're willing to follow their own xenophobia. Viet Nam's GDP and growth rate have already surpassed Thailand's, and if they don't stop being such xenophobic wankers, the rest of the region will as well in short order.

Freeing up the economy too much can be detrimental - for one poor local farmers won't be able to sell their goods against imports from overseas. Anyway, many people think Thaksin was going too far with economic policies, and think they should adopt a slower, more sustainable approach. Thailand had always been one of the more liberal countries in the region though imo, economically and politically. As for Vietnam, it's more attractive to foreign investors because the labour is much cheaper there.

 

[LesCanadiens]

Freeing up the economy too much can be detrimental - for one poor local farmers won't be able to sell their goods against imports from overseas. Anyway, many people think Thaksin was going too far with economic policies, and think they should adopt a slower, more sustainable approach. Thailand had always been one of the more liberal countries in the region though imo, economically and politically. As for Vietnam, it's more attractive to foreign investors because the labour is much cheaper there.

The point is this; Thailand is so dependent on foreign investment, when they actively try to drive it off. They don't try to drive it off because they've thought it out and want a "sustainable model," they drive it off because they are an inherently xenophobic and racist people.

There's an old joke that goes around. The drunk, half naked, stark raving mad tourist running down the street shouting obscenties at 2 in the morning will be welcomed with open arms, while the well heeled, well-to-do, respectful businessman will be met with open hostility. Why? Because the latter is a threat to take over, while the former is not. At least, that's how Thais see it. Thailand has historically been dominated by a very small military-industrial elite, and entreprenurial Westerners are seen as a threat to that military-industrial elite.

And Westerners don't even get the worst of it. The worst is reserved for their SE Asian neighbours. Thais literally view themselves as being the never colonized master race of Asia.

Special interest groups in Thailand will argue that the country is poor, small, and pitiful, and that it needs more time to develop before joining the world economy. Slogans like "Thailand is for Thais" breeds racism and are spread by populist politicians. Pretty soon they won't have to worry about tourism as the tourists will all be going elsewhere, exports as they will be zero, and of course there goes the foreign exchange problem too. The world has no time to wait for Thailand while China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, et al, zoom by.

Basically, Thais are biting the hands that feed them.

Thailand has at 19 coups since 1932... a liberal political landscape is useless without stability.

 

[ConanKND]

That doesn't look like the same Thailand to me. But what do I know, I'm not exactly a businessman. Travelers are quite welcome here, except for those bleeping sex addicts at Pattaya or the people who come for full moon drug parties. Maybe it's because most Thais, especially rural, are shy and see foreigners as a terrifying rarity. The economy maybe fluctuating, yes, but it is still respectably regionwise. Bangkok at night is quite a sight. As for exports, currently the Thai Baht is 'rising', and everyone's happy, except the exporters.

But the racist comment for neighbouring countries, that has the most basis in your argument. True, Thais view themselves as higher than other people. History of fighting and Thai dominance and subjugation of neighbouring countries don't really help. The recent events, the PHnom Penh mob razing the Thai Embassy in Cambodia and destroying Thai business worth millions of dollars, leading to closed borders, Thai evacuation from Cambodia and tension, hasn't help either. It's kinda like an America-Latin relationship. Those people come to beg in Bangkok or be maids, babysitters etc. My house as a Burmese maid!

But back to Thai news, what about the Muslim Insurgency in Southern Thailand? Has that been reported widely too?

 

[philippe]

But back to Thai news, what about the Muslim Insurgency in Southern Thailand? Has that been reported widely too?

Not really( as a footnote) , your military has done a good cover-up in their repression.

 

[Adamb0mb]

I haven't noticed anything recently in the news regarding Thailand.

National news is dominated with coverage of the war, the presidential primaries, and lead in Chinese toys (just in time for Christmas).

We've had a surge in local news as well due to the fires in Southern California and the oil spill in the San Francisco Bay.

 

[aneeshm]

The level of superstition involved is not admirable.

I presume you're a Christian.

When you believe that a cosmic Jewish zombie who was his own father can make you live forever if you symbolically cannibalise him and telepathically tell him you accept him as your master, so he can remove an evil force from your soul that is present in all humans because a woman made from a rib was convinced by a talking snake to eat from a magical tree, thereby pissing off an invisible wizard who lives in the sky, it makes perfect sense?

 

[aronnax]

Not really( as a footnote) , your military has done a good cover-up in their repression.

I haven't noticed anything recently in the news regarding Thailand.

National news is dominated with coverage of the war, the presidential primaries, and lead in Chinese toys (just in time for Christmas).

We've had a surge in local news as well due to the fires in Southern California and the oil spill in the San Francisco Bay.

Really, I get some good coverage of the South Border Muslim-Buddhist-Thai Conflict here.

 

[ThERat]

As with most countries, as an outsider, you can't really understand why Thais 'worship' the current king that much. They all hope that he will live very long as his son isn't exactly of the same quality.

I had been to 'real' Thailand, when I went to Surin with a group of students for some community work. People in the villages we stayed were extremely warm and friendly. They are proud people and that was good to see, though they might not have the economic strength as Singapore. I enjoyed the time there a lot and our NGO partner was fantastic. He also explained the Thai way of life and culture etc to me. It was then that I understood their view of the king.

The situation in the south is by no means an easy one, but the way Thaksin handled he situation, didn't help. I for once was very happy to see him ousted, as he used his power for personal gains. Highlight was the deal to sell his telco company to Singapore Inc (called Temasek Holdings) tax free...well, in the end he was given the boot order for the right reasons.

 

[vader_tat]

Asfor some comments about the monarchy, yes, some people are worrying that when the king (Buddha forbids it) die, the Crown Prince, which has aa shady reputation will be, well, crowned. Some thinks that the constitutional monarchy may be at risk.

heh heh if that really happens I would flee to Deutschland (Germany, I was there for half a year.) and many of my friends will probably emigrate to their countries of choice too!

 

[aronnax]

Suddenly, three Thais appear out of no where.....

 

[vader_tat]

Thailand has historically been dominated by a very small military-industrial elite, and entreprenurial Westerners are seen as a threat to that military-industrial elite.

First statement is exactly what it is for Thailand after 1932 reform. However, the latter is not true for all of the so-called military-industrial elites, namely the ex-government before 2006 coup (and that's why they're wiped out by the opposite "power"). Actually Thailand today is similar to pre-Tokugawa Japan (this is from my Half Thai-Japanese neighbor next door) with the difference that we are NOT under Isolatism like the old Japan. Though some elites in Thailand want to "adopt Mercantilism", not a very favorable move to the rest of the present world. I don't mind if the foreigner would disapprove us because of that, it's not my country anymore... (But hey, we still have our King to be called ours and not theirs!!)

 

[vader_tat]

Suddenly, three Thais appear out of no where.....

I didn't come here so often... See, my Join Date: Jun 2007, Posts: 11. Though this Thread will surely increases my postcount if I'm not bored posting about the country that is not mine, yet its leader (the King) get all he deserves from me and all Thais who still view themselves as Thais.

 

[aelf]

I presume you're a Christian.

When you believe that a cosmic Jewish zombie who was his own father can make you live forever if you symbolically cannibalise him and telepathically tell him you accept him as your master, so he can remove an evil force from your soul that is present in all humans because a woman made from a rib was convinced by a talking snake to eat from a magical tree, thereby pissing off an invisible wizard who lives in the sky, it makes perfect sense?

Some people make a distinction between religion and superstition. I only believe (largely) in Christianity because of the mostly solid doctrines my denomination subscribes to. Is there anything comparable in the cult of the king?

Nice strawman anyway.


PS: I do not believe in 'cannibalising'. Transubstantiation is a Catholic thing.

 

[aneeshm]

Some people make a distinction between religion and superstition.

And others see that that distinction is one of convenience and is actually quite arbitrary.

I only believe (largely) in Christianity because of the mostly solid doctrines my denomination subscribes to. Is there anything comparable in the cult of the king?

The cult of the Pope that is Catholicism?

Nice strawman anyway.

It was a joke, actually. I've been waiting to use this line for a long, long time.

PS: I do not believe in 'cannibalising'. Transubstantiation is a Catholic thing.

But you do believe in the "telepathically accept......." part?

 

[ConanKND]

Suddenly, three Thais appear out of no where.....

This thread actually made my post count rise, because now I actually bother to post in topics.

But please, back to the topic?