Never again: On the Thai fondness for swastikas

By The Nation

 

 

History’s darkest moments, and the lessons learned from them, seem to have bypassed Thailand 

 

The all-girl pop band BNK48 went into damage-control mode on Sunday and apologised because one of its singers at a rehearsal wore a T-shirt bearing the Nazi swastika.

 

The management’s apology followed a tearful show of remorse by the offending singer, Pichayapa “Namsai” Natha. It was a poor fashion choice based on ignorance of history, she said. “I am saddened and feel seriously guilty. Please forgive me.” 

 

The Nazis, seeking to exterminate the Jewish race, were able to murder six million of them before allied forces defeated the German army and brought World War II to an end. Seventy-three years later, on the eve of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a Thai pop star was wearing the Nazis’ best-known symbol on her chest, with photographers all around.

 

We are indeed willing to forgive Pichayapa, but we do wish someone were encouraging Thai youngsters to at least learn about history’s darkest moments along with humankind’s greatest achievements. Yes, the failure of the Thai education system is underscored yet again, but why is it that Nazi symbolism in particular holds such allure for Thais and other Asians? And after incidents like this make headlines around the world, why do the swastikas and Hitler salutes keep appearing?

 

It could be a matter of sheer indifference. A close examination of our culture reveals a general lack of caring for non-Thais. Ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity have occurred on our borders without causing much domestic outcry. In the killing fields of Cambodia, the Khmer Rouge regime of the late 1970s brought about the deaths of perhaps two million citizens.

 

In Myanmar’s Rakhine state, nearly a million Muslim Rohingya were terrorised to such an extent by government forces and demonic Buddhist bigots that they fled the country. 

 

Few Thais gave much thought to the killing fields or fretted for the Rohingya. The Jews endured their Holocaust more than seven decades ago in far-away Europe – not that distance seems to be a factor contributing to indifference. One recent survey found that 2.6 million Britons – in a nation of 66 million – doubted the facts of the Holocaust.

 

The display of regret from BNK48’s management was a commercial necessity, but also seemed a heartfelt response to cries of dismay from the Israeli and German embassies in Bangkok. The swastika print was “inappropriate”, the band acknowledged, causing “distress” to people affected by Holocaust. “In the future, we will take better precautions and make every effort to ensure that an incident of this kind never happens again.”

 

There is room for scepticism here. Show business is an industry for which bad publicity is still valuable publicity, and it is difficult, after all, to believe the young entertainer had no inkling at all her attire would be provocative. But her managers did, whether knowing the significance or not, employ the words “never again”, the vow with which all Jews express a collective determination to protect one another from harm. 

 

Non-Jews who hear those words spoken with emotion will never forget the experience, nor forget what caused them to be uttered. To lose sight of our humanity, and to be unaware our existence rose from a meaningful past, is to become indifferent to a brother or sister’s suffering.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/today_editorial/30363125

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-01-29

This seems to happen every 2 years or so. The Thais' lack of history knowledge is obscene.  Last year, while doing a WW1 history lesson and consequences **after** for many years, I showed a photo of holocaust victims looking over barbed wire; the year 9 students broke out in laughter.

 

I paused everything, I told them I will be back and walked out the classroom for 10 minutes to calm down. Then I taught them why they were in there. 

 

Surreal

A troll post commenting on moderation has been removed. 

“I am saddened and feel seriously guilty. Please forgive me.” 

 Not so sure guilt is correct.. Maybe if she said "I feel so seriously ignorant" (or stupid...)

"The Nazis, seeking to exterminate the Jewish race..." Not a race, a religion. I could convert to Judaism. I could not convert to African.

Another one of those "teachable moments" which will probably slip on by. Could also teach that Nazis also killed handicapped, homosexuals, trade unionists, communists, on and on...

2 hours ago, Somtamnication said:

This seems to happen every 2 years or so. The Thais' lack of history knowledge is obscene.  Last year, while doing a WW1 history lesson and consequences **after** for many years, I showed a photo of holocaust victims looking over barbed wire; the year 9 students broke out in laughter.

 

I paused everything, I told them I will be back and walked out the classroom for 10 minutes to calm down. Then I taught them why they were in there. 

 

Surreal

Out of interest now, did you find out why they initially laughed?

Did they seem to understand the seriousness of the subject after you had explained it to them?

 

"never again"? 

 

Or is that "until next time".

Should we really be concerned about one young girl in Asia ...

 

One in 20 Britons does not believe Holocaust took place, poll finds

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/27/one-in-20-britons-does-not-believe-holocaust-happened

 

 

she said. “I am saddened and feel seriously guilty. Please forgive me.” 

 

not sure how effectively this is being handled, the only thing she is guilty of is ignorance.

 

where were the adults in the room? parents. manager, agent, tv producer, editor, public relations people... did non of them consider the clothing inappropriate?

2 hours ago, Somtamnication said:

The Thais' lack of history knowledge is obscene.

Why should they know or care about something that happened in Europe?

Do you have an extensive knowledge of history in India, Asia, Mongolia?

Notwithstanding the usual deflection and 'whataboutism' that inevitably descends on threads of this type, the fact that this time the ever recurring scandal has reared its ugly head re BNK48 might have some affect on bahaviour in the future. Pretence of ignorance from the schools not so easy next time. And the management response and apology from one of the girl members concerned not to be lightly dismissed.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Yes, the failure of the Thai education system is underscored yet again, but why is it that Nazi symbolism in particular holds such allure for Thais and other Asians? And after incidents like this make headlines around the world, why do the swastikas and Hitler salutes keep appearing?

 

It could be a matter of sheer indifference. A close examination of our culture reveals a general lack of caring for non-Thais. Ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity have occurred on our borders without causing much domestic outcry.

 

Good questions indeed. The kind of thing that would call for some deep and serious introspection.

 

And thus, totally unlikely to ever happen here.  Sorry, gotta go, just got a message on Facebook!!!

 

 

3 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Why should they know or care about something that happened in Europe?

Do you have an extensive knowledge of history in India, Asia, Mongolia?

Because if you don't know history you are bound to repeat it? Knowing about 6 million people being systematically exterminated in Germany, Poland, and western Russia does not require "extensive knowledge". I know enough about the history of India, Asia, and Mongolia to know that 6 million men, women, and children where not systematically murdered in the same fashion there (with the possible exception of communist China).

In 2011, during a sports day parade, students of a Catholic school in Thailand dressed and marched in SS uniforms. The school later apologized after international outrage

They get it alright

30 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

Out of interest now, did you find out why they initially laughed?

Did they seem to understand the seriousness of the subject after you had explained it to them?

 

I am receiving private messages regarding WW1. I was teaching them of issues that continued for a very long time (100 years) after the end of WW1 and the WW2 and things such as the holocaust had to be brought up as examples that the end of wars does not mean the end of problems.

 

These kids are so into games and animes; history books from outside of Thailand is simply not read nor used in most Thai schools. Intl schools barely cover them but it is better now.

 

They laughed at the gaunt looks of these souls looking towards the cameraman. 

 

Once explained, a palpable silence swept the room. I had to explain it calmly, used youtube videos, etc and then we discussed it. Class ended well, but it was a shock to them, and me.

I asked the Mrs. she confirmed many kids are taught about the NAZI's in school but unfortunately some just don't pay attention during class.

18 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Why should they know or care about something that happened in Europe?

Do you have an extensive knowledge of history in India, Asia, Mongolia?

Spot on

21 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Why should they know or care about something that happened in Europe?

Do you have an extensive knowledge of history in India, Asia, Mongolia?

The swastika is an ancient Asian symbol of good luck, respect and blessing.  This does not excuse ignorance or wearing Nazi uniforms etc but most replies here are understandably focusing on the more recent European associations and meanings of the symbol.  Thais may focus on the culturally and geographically saliency of the swastika as a positive symbol.

17 minutes ago, car720 said:

It has been my experience that this is how Thais handle the feeling of tragedy.  They smother their emotions by laughing.

I am not sure if I can completely disagree with the concept.  Tragedy is an emotional event and each person usually reacts to it in a different way.  I guess it is a bit like the way people view farting in church.

I'm not sure if 'tragedy' is the word to describe farting in church? I'm still laughing at the thought of it.

39 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Should we really be concerned about one young girl in Asia ...

 

One in 20 Britons does not believe Holocaust took place, poll finds

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/27/one-in-20-britons-does-not-believe-holocaust-happened

 

I would like to visually see just who those 1 in 20 so called 

British citizens were, that they asked.

I think that would paint a very different picture. 

Thailand's second Prime Minister studied in Berlin and was a classmate of Goering in the 1930s. The third PM was an admirer of both Hitler and Mussolini.

 

The biggest threat to Siamese independence in the late 19th and early 20th century were the British in Burma to the west, and French Indochine to the east - in spite of the country functioning successfully as a buffer zone between both for a long time, Hitler would have been seen as a neutralising influence on both.

 

Regarding the swastika, this is an ancient sanskrit symbol and appears all over Hinduism and Buddhism, the singer probably thought it was cool and lucky to wear it, without even noticing it was reversed or what that symbolised. Any tears shed are doubtless due to embarrassment and loss of face. 

I seem to remember British punks in the late 1970s using swastikas as a political statement or maybe just to cause outrage. Thais that do this I would think, do so out if ignorance rather than to cause deliberate offence. Which is worse? Prince Harry dressing up in an SS uniform would be worse than both!

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3 hours ago, Somtamnication said:

The Thais' lack of history knowledge is obscene.

 

No it isn't. As we know the swastika was around in Asia long before the Nazis adopted it.

 

But now it does seem that neither Asians nor the Nazis own it. It now apparently belongs to the Israelis and cannot be used without their permission.

25 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Why should they know or care about something that happened in Europe?

Do you have an extensive knowledge of history in India, Asia, Mongolia?

I can't speak for "Somtamnication", but despite living here I don't claim to have an extensive knowledge of history in Asia, although I am making some efforts to improve my knowledge of the history of Thailand and this region. 

 

I think the question is one of a wider ignorance. You do not need a detailed knowledge of modern European history to know of the Holocaust or the symbolism of it's main icon, the swastika. Nor do you need a detailed knowledge of Asian history to be aware of the immense suffering of the Chinese people in the last century, or the tragedy of Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge. It is one of the mysteries of this country that whilst seemingly aspiring to be modern and internationally recognised as such, it also seems determined to ignore, even stifle awareness, of something as seminal in modern history as the Holocaust.

 

Of course, as someone has pointed out, it may be a publicity stunt. BNK48 seems to be totally, perhaps ruthlessly controlled by their managers, so it is perhaps unlikely that such a tee shirt would have been worn 'unsanctioned' even for a rehearsal.

 

 

 

 

25 minutes ago, riclag said:

Spot on

Did WW2 not include Japan, China, Burma, Malaysia? And Thailand, a bit!

Would part of European/Western history involve 'How to Lose an Empire"? ????

1 hour ago, otherstuff1957 said:

"never again"? 

 

Or is that "until next time".

Germany ? Rank amateurs !

Now Stalin ...

1 hour ago, Emdog said:

“I am saddened and feel seriously guilty. Please forgive me.” 

 Not so sure guilt is correct.. Maybe if she said "I feel so seriously ignorant" (or stupid...)

"The Nazis, seeking to exterminate the Jewish race..." Not a race, a religion. I could convert to Judaism. I could not convert to African.

Another one of those "teachable moments" which will probably slip on by. Could also teach that Nazis also killed handicapped, homosexuals, trade unionists, communists, on and on...

Exactly what I was going to write, with the addition, will we also push to get rid of the hammer and sickle shirts, flags, etc.? Estimated 20 million plus killed under the Stalin communist regime, surely that counts too? As for Thais/Thailand ignoring evil deeds across their borders, well show me a country who doesn't.

53 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Why should they know or care about something that happened in Europe?

Do you have an extensive knowledge of history in India, Asia, Mongolia?

Buy the Thais have no knowledge of history in India, Asia or Mongolia either. 

53 minutes ago, car720 said:

It has been my experience that this is how Thais handle the feeling of tragedy.  They smother their emotions by laughing.

That's exactly what happened when my good friend died. His wife came to me laughing to tell me he passed away. Took me a while to understand