THE WEEK THAT WAS Show some humanity, support Ukraine and don't blame ordinary Russians

[webfact]

 

'This article is an independent opinion piece of the Rooster'

 

Anyone who has spent some time in Thailand has met them, usually in bars nursing a drink for several hours and regaling anyone who'll listen to their bigoted views on Thailand, convinced that because you might be the same skin color - usually white - that makes you all part of the same "club".

 

When asked about what they are doing in the kingdom, what they know about Asia, they mumble something about their experience in 'Nam. 

 

Then when asked to explain they use that wonderful, revealing cliche that explains all:

 

"If I told you that I'd have to kill you".

 

Such numpties - usually living in a cheap one room hovel with the occasional visit of some local, tattooed scrubber - have over the last two decades mostly moved online, especially during the pandemic. 

 

Here they are safer than ever from scrutiny, able to expound their ignorant nonsense with little censure notwithstanding the occasional moderator ban, that cows them into temporary scaredy-cat submission.

 

Before they take to the internet afresh, too pathetic to troll intelligently, putting links to spurious websites that allegedly back up their absurd narratives.

 

They are invariably Thai bashers who when challenged say their Buriram girlfriend told them some "secret" home truth backing up their pitiful, ill-informed, rhetoric and hyperbole. They belittle moderate, sensible people as naive.

 

ASEAN NOW has many of them. They are thankfully drowned out by the majority of sensible posters. But their voices are shrill from behind their keyboards, like the loud western tourist holding court disturbing other diners at the next table in the pizza restaurant.

 

They are the modern day, pathetic keyboard warriors whose closest encounter with a weapon is a bum gun, shooting skidmarks off their ample backsides.

 

Armed with a second hand laptop or cheap phone perched on their thighs - not a moment to waste online as we're reminded of their hobbies, usually earning daily fortunes in Bitcoin trading, subjects us mortals are too stupid to understand.

 

They were out in force on the forum this week, with the ongoing war in Ukraine acting as an ideal backdrop to frame their agenda expounding their "oh-so-well-informed" understanding of world events.

 

This was never more clearly seen than the reaction to a story about a Thai man called Chanapong.

 

The 27 year old had bravely gone to the Ukrainian embassy in Bangkok to offer his assistance to a country thousands of kilometers away - not because he wanted money, not because he had a specific political agenda, but because he was a human being; because he had humanity.

 

The warriors strode manfully into action (they never read the stories - they don’t have time for that before sharing their vitriol!)

 

Where were you when Thailand needed you on the streets Chanapong?, They demanded. Don’t you know that ping pong bombs are not mortars? Have you ever been anywhere near a real army? Why did Thailand roll over in World War II - just like you will in Kyiv after you get your mercenary check and slip across the border into Europe to claim benefits…blah, blah, blah.

 

They have no knowledge of the bravery of Thais in their ‘Nam, the resistance in the face of terrible odds in the 1940s. And in this specific case no interest in Chanapong’s service with the RTAF, his involvement in the democracy protests and his sensible warnings that signing up for Ukraine’s defence would be no picnic and only those with military experience should apply. 

 

Chanapong, reportedly among many others, was interested in going to Ukraine’s aid. We should be praising such people not criticising them; celebrating their humanity in trying to help in a dire situation on a faraway continent.

 

Elsewhere, the keyboard warriors demanded that Russians in Thailand be abused and deported. 

 

Had they missed the news of thousands of outraged ordinary Russians on the streets of their country - despite the appalling propaganda they are subjected to on their state television and media - risking their personal liberty to stand up to the maniacal Putin and a regime they would gladly nuke if they had THEIR fingers on the proverbial red button. 

 

My! How they revelled in the story about Russian - and incongruously even Ukrainian - tourists suffering financial and travel hardship in Thailand due to the swift and draconian sanctions affecting ordinary, peaceful people just on holiday in the kingdom.

 

People should be focusing on who is responsible. It's Putin and his crazy dreams. And his wealthy and supportive oligarchs. 

 

Picking up on Putin’s alarming, biased, rhetoric, the warriors even referred to the Nazi collaborators of World War II Ukraine as if that issue - itself a highly complex, varied and unclear period of world history - somehow justified the abuse of Ukrainians in the 21st century.

 

Some even pointedly observed how Russians on “baht buses” (they don’t know the Thai for these vehicles) deserved everything they got for their booriah behavior to and from Jomtien (where it’s nice) and Pattaya (where it’s horrible) and where they guzzle on borscht and abuse the waitresses.

 

One such comment got seven "likes".

 

This casual racism is part of their stock-in-trade; they switch to Indians sharing beers with straws or Chinese tourists pooping in the streets when that narrative better suits their cause.

 

Confront them and you’re “woke”or a “virtue signaller” hoodwinked by the government, a victim of Western media, a lefty liberal puppet of Biden.

 

Funny how they always seem to lament the passing of Trump, revelling in the prospect of that megalomaniac’s possible return to Washington.

 

Not that some officials in Thailand were much better. 

 

The comments of foreign minister Don Pramudwinai were sadly understandable but thoroughly inappropriate and unwelcome as the international community - in business, public and sports as well as at state level - heaped appropriate pain on everything Russian through sanctions (in this regard individual Russians have to expect pain, hopefully severe enough to inspire them to force a regime change in time).

 

Don - predictably for pocketbook conscious Thailand - refused to directly condemn Russia and Putin. I get the point about continuing to press for diplomacy, and understand how much worse things might get if the nutter in the Kremlin is backed further into a corner where the world may truly fear his unpredictability. I fear his stated view that  'if there is no Russia then there will be no world” madness. 

 

But the time for rapprochement is gone, a united front is the only way so grow up Thailand and stand strong with the rest of the world. Even China has - despite its role in cordial  relations with Russia - is nervous, prepared to act as peace broker. 

 

India, too, used language to quietly condemn the invasion - they can’t go further due to their dependence on Russian missile systems in defence of their country against attack from Pakistan. 

 

Thailand is a small player in all this but people are watching; it’s well documented how pathetic their laughable “leadership” as part of the toothless and risible reaction of ASEAN to the ongoing situation in Myanmar has been. Cozying up to the generals there as well as the ghastly post-Blue Diamond money grab in getting into bed so swiftly with the regime in Saudi, a regime run by a human rights abusing alleged murderer desperate for public recognition and legitimacy.

 

Does Thailand not realise that sucking up to these horrendous bedfellows reflects so badly on them in the international arena. Yes, not every tourist cares - but there are plenty that do and in a world where news is available 24/7 and there are huge numbers of other options for a holiday, many will vote with their feet if they are not satisfied with the stance of a foreign government.

 

Then Thailand's UN rep voted with 140 countries apparently contradicting the government back in Bangkok. This, however, was to condemn violence not Russia itself. Prayut refused to do that at a cabinet meeting hiding behind neutrality showing a sickening lack of backbone. 

 

One poster got 50 likes for simply writing: $

 

The conflict in Ukraine is multi-faceted and Rooster does not profess to have any answers. Like many people I am following from afar, trying hard to fathom the present situation and the short, medium and long term consequences in a social media and news landscape rife with fake news and misdirection. 

 

But I’m determined to always call out keyboard warriors. Determined like Chanapong to show some human spirit albeit in a far lesser capacity than his obvious bravery and that of millions of Ukrainians and many Russians standing up to tyranny.  

 

With such a focus on the outside world, the last seven days of news in Thailand paled into insignificance. Rooster took time off translation duties for a few days in deserted but  pleasant Pattaya!

 

Hops still has great service and pizza! The beach and even the sea appeared clean. The “condo-hotel” was cheap even though they moved us in the middle of the night when the electricity failed! Pattaya Park was great value and quiet and a great day out for me and the four children, together at last after several years of pandemic partition. 

 

The road to and from Bangkok - Route 7 - was fast and safe and reasonably priced. A good time was had by all even if the wind on the beach blew all that expensive sand in our lunchtime som tam!

 

Continuing stories in the Thai news included the disappearance and subsequent finding of the body of actress Taengmo in the Chao Phraya. Mystery still surrounded what happened to her as every Thai outlet from Amarin TV to Thai Rath speculated on the case. 

 

Another case, and finally this week, was the latest in the hunt for the two gunmen who killed gangland figure Jimi Sandhu in Phuket last month. 

 

One of the hitmen has been arrested in Canada and both him and his pal were reportedly 'suicidal'. The reason being, wait for it, the Thai police. 

 

The RTP were basking - for once - in the good press about their speedy work in establishing the identities, movements and DNA of the gunmen. 

 

The story even led to the words Royal Thai Police and efficacy in the same sentence.

 

Now there's a first!

 

Rooster 

 

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2022-03-05

 

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[ezzra]

If the rest of the world with some powerful countries sits idle and do do much other than the token sending a bit of arm and financial blockades, what the use of our "support" and not blaming ordinary Russians? it's a shameful times whereby a single man is allowed to start a war because of his lunatic grandeur whims and wishes?... 

[John Drake]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

When asked about what they are doing in the kingdom, what they know about Asia, they mumble something about their experience in 'Nam. 

Hate filled anti-American rant that employs all the bigoted stereotypes the author wants to condemn in those applying similar descriptions to Russians.

[jvs]

I can agree on a few things,people that in different threads just post links and see where it lands.

The same people seem to do it i think.When you answer with something that makes sense they just

go quite and post another link(usually with the wrong facts.

These poster know who they are but you can not mention them because you are supposed to

attack the post and not the poster.

[jesimps]

 I bet the author of this tirade votes Democrat or Lab/Lib/Green or Scots Nat in the UK. Most Russians I've ever encountered here have been big miserable troll-like oafs.

 

[BostonRob2]

39 minutes ago, John Drake said:

Hate filled anti-American rant that employs all the bigoted stereotypes the author wants to condemn in those applying similar descriptions to Russians.

The author didn't mention Americans, but you did. Besides many nationalities apart from US serviceman served with distinction in Vietnam, like Thais and Aussies. 

Edited March 5, 2022 by BostonRob2
Typo

[MrJ2U]

Ordinary Russians?

 

Far and few between.   The few Russians I've met are rude and aggressive. 

 

I'm sure there are a few nice ones.

It's just I haven't met any.

[Wuvu2]

A farang flaming the farang flamers from his perch atop the moral high ground. What else is new?

[blazes]

Quite the Keyboard Warrior.  Set up the straw man sitting at the bar nursing his Singha and then attack every "opinion" that the straw man is supposed to have uttered.

In other words, '"if you have different opinions from me, those opinions are by definition "deplorable".'

[apetryxx]

Rooster seems equally ill informed and bigoted as the blowhards he’s complaining about. 

[Teddy3943]

Here's some one wining about wining farangs. He obviously recognizes the urge to post anoyance very well. 

[jippytum]

Quite a bigoted rant .

I've ordered my  Ukrainian flag tee shirt from Lazada to wear by the pool .

[howlee101]

34 minutes ago, ALLSEEINGEYE said:

oh but look what this person did

much like what you just did? ????

[sawadee1947]

A bunch of prejudices about people you don't like.

Probably it's vice versa.

However, apart from this there is no beef in your elaborate. Just enumerations which we read about already during the week.

Have a say, have an opinion, pick only one Item and make your weekly column something Special in a positive sense.

 

 

[Rimmer]

Some off topic post and replies have been removed:

 

 

[LatPhrao]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

ASEAN NOW has many of them. They are thankfully drowned out by the majority of sensible posters. But their voices are shrill from behind their keyboards

Boy howdy! ASEAN NOW has plague level of them, and if only they actually were drowned out by a majority of sensible posters!   Who has the patience and fortitude?! and instead decide to just step around them, like somethings a dog left in the sidewalk, ignoring the strident inanities and whinging.   Bravo! the brave and at length words here calling them out.

Edited March 5, 2022 by LatPhrao

[Thai Dan]

Rant accepted.  Many valid points that people, and indeed the people that make up governments, need to consider.  I don't like censorship and I didn't see you call for that.  Kudos.  There are far too many geopolitical unknowns for just about anybody to think they have all or even most of the facts.  Racism is always ugly, and for what?  I don't even think it makes the instigators happy when they fall in that direction of diatribe.  For the rest of your points: A little self-reflection, people?  At this moment I'd hate to be either Russian or Ukrainian; it's not like any of the citizens from either was consulted by their governments, anymore than I am by mine.

 

 

[MyFriend You]

45 minutes ago, jippytum said:

Quite a bigoted rant .

I've ordered my  Ukrainian flag tee shirt from Lazada to wear by the pool .

I'll be right there with you holding my "Trumpy Bear" with his American Flag Cape, and big "S" on his chest.

[TigerandDog]

1 hour ago, Wuvu2 said:

A farang flaming the farang flamers from his perch atop the moral high ground. What else is new?

the truth hurts doesn't it.

[connda]

4 hours ago, ezzra said:

If the rest of the world with some powerful countries sits idle and do do much other than the token sending a bit of arm and financial blockades, what the use of our "support" and not blaming ordinary Russians? it's a shameful times whereby a single man is allowed to start a war because of his lunatic grandeur whims and wishes?... 

Personally I want to see the US and NATO impose a non-fly zone over Ukraine.  Let's end it!  Completely.

[spidermike007]

Does Thailand not realise that sucking up to these horrendous bedfellows reflects so badly on them in the international arena. 

 

No. They do not seem to have any idea how the world perceives their extreme cowardice and lack of morality. 

 

Then Thailand's UN Rep. voted with 140 countries apparently contradicting the government back in Bangkok. This, however, was to condemn violence not Russia itself. Prayut refused to do that at a cabinet meeting hiding behind neutrality showing a sickening lack of backbone.

 

Few expect Prayuth to ever do the right thing. He simply does not have it within himself. He is an empty suit. 

[Joules]

I will reiterate:  Citizens of a country are responsible for their leaders.  Yeah some leaders may be tough, hardened killers, but ultimately it is the citizens who must rise up and depose such despots.  Yes, I blame the common Russians, just as I blame the average German citizen of the early 1940's for Nazi atrocities and average American citizens for the unprovoked invasion if Iraq.  

 

So these Russians who have had their vacations ruined need to go home and do something about it.  

[Joules]

"The conflict in Ukraine is multi-faceted and Rooster does not profess to have any answers. "

 

Ha, ha, ha, of course he professes to have no answers.  After all, a Rooster has a bird brain!

[Atlantis]

@BostonRob2

Hey Rooster, nice long post, analysis and all that, but what I wanna know is:

When can I get my own column / space on aseannow where I can flout forum rules and etiquette, explicit and otherwise, without consequence?

[NeoDinosaw]

3 hours ago, John Drake said:

 

When asked about their experience in 'Nam. 

 

 they use that wonderful, revealing cliche that explains all:

 

"If I told you that I'd have to kill you".

 

I'm not allowed to tell you  either  'cos I signed the Official Secrets Act  several times.  But I wouldn't kill you for asking

[Nicholas Paul KNIGHT]

I really like this bit : the resistance in the face of terrible odds in the 1940s. 

To put it correctly token resistance and then allowed Japannese Soldiers to walk through Thail;and and onto Malaya and then Singnapre causing tens of thousand of ALLIED soldiers to lose their lives as well as the thousands together with Thais who DIED in the construction of that Railway . The Allies may well have lost Singapore anyway but only from sea-borne actions Thailand opened up the land bridge 

PLUS they DECLARED war on the UK in 1940 . Which bit of the RESISTANCE in the FACE of terrible odds was that one asks .

 

Rooster please get your Historical facts straight if not why bother posting ....OKAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited March 5, 2022 by Nicholas Paul KNIGHT
spelling

[Screaming]

The problem with this rhetoric is that over ninety percent of Russians support Putin and the desecration of Ukraine.

 

[ozimoron]

Some photos of Ukrainian refugees.

 

https://www.reuters.com/news/picture/ukraines-million-refugees-long-trek-to-s-idUSRTS606RB

[timendres]

The only reference to 'Nam in the five pages of comments on the article referenced (a Thai man called Chanapong) by this diatribe was regarding the reputations of Thai soldiers (as being solid). Seems to expose a serious bias by the OP.

[Woof999]

Not blaming ordinary Russians but still supporting every sanction possible sit absolutely fine together for me.