The Mirror Has 60 Million Faces

[jbowman1993]

Possibly the Greatest Column I've ever read in a Thai Newspaper.

THE MIRROR HAS 60 MILLION FACES

by Voranai Vanijaka

One night in October 1973, my mother (who was 8 months pregnant with me at the time) was sitting at home, worrying and crying. My father, an officer in the riot prevention unit, was trapped in a police station surrounded by left-wing militants. He was cradling in his arms one of his subordinates, who had been shot in the guts. He was bleeding profusely.

There were between 15 to 20 policemen trapped in the station, surrounded by hundreds of the opposition. The situation was hopeless. Snipers were everywhere. The policeman who was shot eventually died from blood loss.

Late in the night, my father ordered his subordinates to strip off their uniforms and put on civilian clothes. Under the cover of darkness, they escaped from the police station.

A few hours later, my father made it back home to my mother.

Thinking of all the coups, the protests and the bloodshed that Thailand has been through, I wonder: What have we been fighting for? What have we achieved?

The majority still live in poverty. Our children still beg in the streets. Not just politics, but our society as a whole is still corrupt. And we still have no clue what democracy is.

Coups, protests and conflicts are nothing more than the squabbling between rich and powerful men, whose fiery rhetoric, fancy tactics and deep pockets are able to rouse the people to flock to their banners.

I am no fan of prime minister Samak Sundaravej, nor am I a fan of the five leaders of the PAD. However, I am a fan of everyone who wakes up in the morning, goes to work, provides for his or her family, lends a helping hand to the less fortunate and lives an honest life, regardless of the colour of their shirts.

Getting rid of Prime Minister Samak and dissolving the parliament would make a lot of people happy, it would make me happy. But then what?

Would there be less corruption? Less social injustice? Less income disparity? Would it better the lives of the people?

We want to get rid of him because he is corrupt. But is he any more corrupt than the average Thai person? How many among us never cut corners, go under the table, use connections, or hand over a hundred baht bill?

We want to get rid of him because we don't want Thaksin-style mega projects. But then _ look at our media, look at our society _ why are we so obsessed with materialism and superficiality?

We don't want him to change the constitution to serve his (or his boss's) agenda. But then why do we the people each and every day bend the rules and manipulate the laws to serve our own agenda?

If we want to change Thailand for the better, getting rid of a few individuals won't do it. The change starts with us.

We march to get rid of one man, but do we march to save the lives of our children begging in the streets?

We march to get rid of one man, but do we march to save the lives of our brothers and sisters in the three southernmost provinces?

We march to get rid of one man, but did we march when Thaksin mandated the murder of innocent men and women on the streets?

If we want to change Thailand for the better, getting rid of a few individuals won't do it. The change starts with us.

The PAD has the right to protest, and Samak has the prerogative say he was democratically and overwhelmingly elected.

We can say the election was bought, but which election wasn't? Buying an election is just a matter of supply and demand, it can't be bought if the people aren't willing to sell it. And the people is us, the Thai people. It is us who sell our freedom, our democracy.

If Samak resigns, there are thousands and thousands more Samaks ready to replace him. The idea and being of the likes of Thaksin or Samak is like the proverb ''fish in the water and the rice in the field''.

Yes, like fish and rice, there are an abundance of Thaksins and Samaks in Thailand, in all level of society, from the poor to the rich.

The jealousy, the factionalism, the close-mindedness, the hate, the cronyism, the corruption, the politicking, the manipulation, the exploitation, the selfishness and self-righteousness, the refusal to change for the better _ the things that we see play out in the political landscape, that we the people never cease to complain about in disgust _ are we also guilty of the same in our families, in our social circles, in our schools, in our work places?

Samak is merely a reflection of our society, a mirror of who we are _ the writer of this column not excepted.

Finding scapegoats and blaming others is easy. The rich blame the poor, the poor blame the rich. Failing that, we blame karma or black magic _ and of course, we blame foreigners.

Yes, we should take to the streets against corrupt politicians, but not much good can come of it if we simply huff and puff every few years and then go back to our daily corruption, apathy and superficialism.

The fact is: Each and every one of us is responsible and accountable for our country, our society and the future of our children.

Whatever that is wrong with Thai politics and society, we 60 million plus people all have a hand in it _ we are responsible for it.

We make Thailand. Not just Thaksin. Not just Samak. But all 60 million plus of us.

Samak is not worth one act of violence, not worth one drop of blood, not worth a single tear. He is not even worth the insults and hates the PAD throw at him each and every day.

Take to the streets and protest for the right reason: march not because we hate Samak, rather march because we love Thailand.

What we do in life each and every day, individually and collectively, is what will change our country, for better or for worse.

We should continue to fight corrupt politicians. But if we truly want better things for Thailand, the change starts with us, the Thai people.

Edited September 7, 2008 by jbowman1993

[GungaDin]

Please quote the source.

[TheWalkingMan]

Please quote the source.

Found it here:

www bangkokpost.com/070908_News/07Sep2008_news18.php

TheWalkingMan

[stoneman]

This should be required reading for every Thai every morning and every evening..

Stoneman

[IMA_FARANG]

Possibly the Greatest Column I've ever read in a Thai Newspaper.

THE MIRROR HAS 60 MILLION FACES

by Voranai Vanijaka

One night in October 1973, my mother (who was 8 months pregnant with me at the time) was sitting at home, worrying and crying. My father, an officer in the riot prevention unit, was trapped in a police station surrounded by left-wing militants. He was cradling in his arms one of his subordinates, who had been shot in the guts. He was bleeding profusely.

There were between 15 to 20 policemen trapped in the station, surrounded by hundreds of the opposition. The situation was hopeless. Snipers were everywhere. The policeman who was shot eventually died from blood loss.

Late in the night, my father ordered his subordinates to strip off their uniforms and put on civilian clothes. Under the cover of darkness, they escaped from the police station.

A few hours later, my father made it back home to my mother.

Thinking of all the coups, the protests and the bloodshed that Thailand has been through, I wonder: What have we been fighting for? What have we achieved?

The majority still live in poverty. Our children still beg in the streets. Not just politics, but our society as a whole is still corrupt. And we still have no clue what democracy is.

Coups, protests and conflicts are nothing more than the squabbling between rich and powerful men, whose fiery rhetoric, fancy tactics and deep pockets are able to rouse the people to flock to their banners.

I am no fan of prime minister Samak Sundaravej, nor am I a fan of the five leaders of the PAD. However, I am a fan of everyone who wakes up in the morning, goes to work, provides for his or her family, lends a helping hand to the less fortunate and lives an honest life, regardless of the colour of their shirts.

Getting rid of Prime Minister Samak and dissolving the parliament would make a lot of people happy, it would make me happy. But then what?

Would there be less corruption? Less social injustice? Less income disparity? Would it better the lives of the people?

We want to get rid of him because he is corrupt. But is he any more corrupt than the average Thai person? How many among us never cut corners, go under the table, use connections, or hand over a hundred baht bill?

We want to get rid of him because we don't want Thaksin-style mega projects. But then _ look at our media, look at our society _ why are we so obsessed with materialism and superficiality?

We don't want him to change the constitution to serve his (or his boss's) agenda. But then why do we the people each and every day bend the rules and manipulate the laws to serve our own agenda?

If we want to change Thailand for the better, getting rid of a few individuals won't do it. The change starts with us.

We march to get rid of one man, but do we march to save the lives of our children begging in the streets?

We march to get rid of one man, but do we march to save the lives of our brothers and sisters in the three southernmost provinces?

We march to get rid of one man, but did we march when Thaksin mandated the murder of innocent men and women on the streets?

If we want to change Thailand for the better, getting rid of a few individuals won't do it. The change starts with us.

The PAD has the right to protest, and Samak has the prerogative say he was democratically and overwhelmingly elected.

We can say the election was bought, but which election wasn't? Buying an election is just a matter of supply and demand, it can't be bought if the people aren't willing to sell it. And the people is us, the Thai people. It is us who sell our freedom, our democracy.

If Samak resigns, there are thousands and thousands more Samaks ready to replace him. The idea and being of the likes of Thaksin or Samak is like the proverb ''fish in the water and the rice in the field''.

Yes, like fish and rice, there are an abundance of Thaksins and Samaks in Thailand, in all level of society, from the poor to the rich.

The jealousy, the factionalism, the close-mindedness, the hate, the cronyism, the corruption, the politicking, the manipulation, the exploitation, the selfishness and self-righteousness, the refusal to change for the better _ the things that we see play out in the political landscape, that we the people never cease to complain about in disgust _ are we also guilty of the same in our families, in our social circles, in our schools, in our work places?

Samak is merely a reflection of our society, a mirror of who we are _ the writer of this column not excepted.

Finding scapegoats and blaming others is easy. The rich blame the poor, the poor blame the rich. Failing that, we blame karma or black magic _ and of course, we blame foreigners.

Yes, we should take to the streets against corrupt politicians, but not much good can come of it if we simply huff and puff every few years and then go back to our daily corruption, apathy and superficialism.

The fact is: Each and every one of us is responsible and accountable for our country, our society and the future of our children.

Whatever that is wrong with Thai politics and society, we 60 million plus people all have a hand in it _ we are responsible for it.

We make Thailand. Not just Thaksin. Not just Samak. But all 60 million plus of us.

Samak is not worth one act of violence, not worth one drop of blood, not worth a single tear. He is not even worth the insults and hates the PAD throw at him each and every day.

Take to the streets and protest for the right reason: march not because we hate Samak, rather march because we love Thailand.

What we do in life each and every day, individually and collectively, is what will change our country, for better or for worse.

We should continue to fight corrupt politicians. But if we truly want better things for Thailand, the change starts with us, the Thai people.

Absolutely outstanding article.

From my discussions with my Thai family I think at least 60% of the "average" Thai people would agree.

Most people just want to be able to have a decent life and a lifestyle that would let that happen.

Anyhow, all of us. Farang and Thai need to remember that Thailand has been knocked down before, and it aleways gets up again.

So what is that different now?

Thailand is more than a gaggle of politicians or a government. The real Thailand is the Thai people and the Thai nation. Both may have had their problems before, but so far they have always got back up and went forward again. I expect, in the long run, that is what will happen in the future.

[OlRedEyes]

An excellent piece. So good to hear a Thai saying what I've been saying for so long. Unfortunately it's likely to fall on deaf ears.

[sylviex]

An excellent piece. So good to hear a Thai saying what I've been saying for so long. Unfortunately it's likely to fall on deaf ears.

Agree (how could one not ?)

Sometimes I wonder if some strong , concerted leadership from the Buddhist community, promoting this kind of reflection might help. Possible or not ?

[britmaveric]

Nice read however I'm sure it will fall on deaf ears for the PAD.

[GungaDin]

Excellent piece, thanks.

[bina]

where is the thai version???

nice rhetoric but anyone can say anything; its the doing thats difficult...

[dumball]

where is the thai version???

nice rhetoric but anyone can say anything; its the doing thats difficult...

You are correct , after all the current conflab has settled down , the Thai people will get up and carry on again , but in the same mis-begotten way , surely to goodness , as Thais are taught by rote , would it not be a wise idea to have this read to the students at assembly ? The history and religious speaches they have now (or so i am led to believe) is what tends to keep thailand in their never ending cycle of going nowhere in a big hurry , might just as well brain wash them all in a more worthwhile cause i.e. going in a forward direction instead of looking over their shoulders every day .

Just the thoughts of a humble old outsider .

[jbowman1993]

where is the thai version???

nice rhetoric but anyone can say anything; its the doing thats difficult...

The article was published in the Bangkok Post, so wouldn't know if there was a Thai version or not. As for the rhetoric, the problem is definitely in the doing. My family is doing its part.

[girlx]

good reading

[klikster]

where is the thai version???

nice rhetoric but anyone can say anything; its the doing thats difficult...

Before mighty trees grow, a seed must be planted. Why so negative?

[wayfarer108]

The editorial revolves around a basic misconception, that the PAD are demonstrating only to remove Samak. There are many other issues on the table, including constitutional revisions that would break the cycle of 'villages elect/Bangkok rejects' that have been going on for decades.

Edited September 7, 2008 by wayfarer108

[terrier123]

where is the thai version???

nice rhetoric but anyone can say anything; its the doing thats difficult...

Before mighty trees grow, a seed must be planted. Why so negative?

Certainly stopped me dead in my tracks and I read it through 3 times. Voronai deserves a row of those medals all Government Officials seem to boast. I only hope the article wasn't dictated by a foreigner; however, a Thai translation would certainly be in order and printed on the FRONT PAGE of all Thai newspapers. Congrats for the posting

[Boater]

This is the most sensible thing i have ever read before, straight to the point about the Thai Society and how it goes around it circles....

I hope this article gets broadcast to the fulliest extent!

Well don to the writer!

[TEFLMike]

What a brilliant article! Well done to the writer.

[asiancup2007]

Where are all the Thai apologists that beat down even the hint of any criticism of anything Thai on this board?

This intelligent piece of commentary must have them very conflicted. Imagine if a foreigner had written a similar article. Strangely but blessedly quiet.

[Steele404]

abosuf**kinlutely agree with that... superb article A+++

need a Thai version to roll out into the front pages of the Thai media

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

Superb, it should be spread far and wide, to Thai and farang alike.

[dumball]

Where are all the Thai apologists that beat down even the hint of any criticism of anything Thai on this board?

This intelligent piece of commentary must have them very conflicted. Imagine if a foreigner had written a similar article. Strangely but blessedly quiet.

Most likely humi 'n un hawi 'n, in their beer for some kind of rhetoric even though the article is truly EPIC , some of those Thai-ised individuls have been listening to too much rote repitition also for far to many years , shame realy , they most likely have much they could contribute in a polite fashion , but who gives a S###T any way what they say in their distorted interpretation of what is normaly meant as good imput .

Please do not tell me to F###K of out of YOUR adopted country , I HAVE ALREADY , GOT SICK OF YOUR MONOSYBILIC GARBAGE .

[mahtin]

Please do not tell me to F###K of out of YOUR adopted country , I HAVE ALREADY , GOT SICK OF YOUR MONOSYBILIC GARBAGE .

The word you've entered isn't in the dictionary. Click on a spelling suggestion below or try again using the search bar above.

Suggestions for MONOSYBILIC: 1. monosyllabic 2. monocyclic

3. monosyllable 4. myoinositols

5. myoinositol 6. monozygotic

7. monotheistical 8. monotheistic

9. municipally 10. moronically

11. mensurability 12. minischools

13. municipality 14. municipalizes

15. miniscule 16. minuscules

17. numismatically 18. monosyllables

19. municipalize 20. miniscules

[Scott]

It wasn't that the article was so profound, but it was quite well written and relevant.

[sabaijai]

Where are all the Thai apologists that beat down even the hint of any criticism of anything Thai on this board?

This intelligent piece of commentary must have them very conflicted. Imagine if a foreigner had written a similar article. Strangely but blessedly quiet.

Apologise for what? Both sides of the conflict are Thai. There is no farang view involved.

[chiangmaibruce]

Yes, it was good.

So why not write an email to the editor of the BKK Post to support the writer and the article

[email protected]

Let them know - would be nice to see a stack of letters there tomorrow

[robbiecia]

Excellent piece...........I agree it should be front page of the Thai newspapers

However.........what is so sad is the fact that a very large majority of the rural population would have difficulty understanding its meaning............and this will not change anytime soon because of the poor standard

of the Thai education system.

But then again.......having the masses dumbed down suits the people in power just fine!!

[Johpa]

A good read. My first response was a hearty "Chaiyo!". But then I ask why this is being written in flawless English and printed in an English language newspaper? Who was the intended audience? Certainly not Thais. It would be interesting to see how the author would translate her thoughts into Thai. And upon later contemplation, the final, and illegal, by Thai laws, logical line of argument is missing.

[yabaaaa]

Possibly the Greatest Column I've ever read in a Thai Newspaper.

THE MIRROR HAS 60 MILLION FACES

by Voranai Vanijaka

One night in October 1973, my mother (who was 8 months pregnant with me at the time) was sitting at home, worrying and crying. My father, an officer in the riot prevention unit, was trapped in a police station surrounded by left-wing militants. He was cradling in his arms one of his subordinates, who had been shot in the guts. He was bleeding profusely.

There were between 15 to 20 policemen trapped in the station, surrounded by hundreds of the opposition. The situation was hopeless. Snipers were everywhere. The policeman who was shot eventually died from blood loss.

Late in the night, my father ordered his subordinates to strip off their uniforms and put on civilian clothes. Under the cover of darkness, they escaped from the police station.

A few hours later, my father made it back home to my mother.

Thinking of all the coups, the protests and the bloodshed that Thailand has been through, I wonder: What have we been fighting for? What have we achieved?

The majority still live in poverty. Our children still beg in the streets. Not just politics, but our society as a whole is still corrupt. And we still have no clue what democracy is.

Coups, protests and conflicts are nothing more than the squabbling between rich and powerful men, whose fiery rhetoric, fancy tactics and deep pockets are able to rouse the people to flock to their banners.

I am no fan of prime minister Samak Sundaravej, nor am I a fan of the five leaders of the PAD. However, I am a fan of everyone who wakes up in the morning, goes to work, provides for his or her family, lends a helping hand to the less fortunate and lives an honest life, regardless of the colour of their shirts.

Getting rid of Prime Minister Samak and dissolving the parliament would make a lot of people happy, it would make me happy. But then what?

Would there be less corruption? Less social injustice? Less income disparity? Would it better the lives of the people?

We want to get rid of him because he is corrupt. But is he any more corrupt than the average Thai person? How many among us never cut corners, go under the table, use connections, or hand over a hundred baht bill?

We want to get rid of him because we don't want Thaksin-style mega projects. But then _ look at our media, look at our society _ why are we so obsessed with materialism and superficiality?

We don't want him to change the constitution to serve his (or his boss's) agenda. But then why do we the people each and every day bend the rules and manipulate the laws to serve our own agenda?

If we want to change Thailand for the better, getting rid of a few individuals won't do it. The change starts with us.

We march to get rid of one man, but do we march to save the lives of our children begging in the streets?

We march to get rid of one man, but do we march to save the lives of our brothers and sisters in the three southernmost provinces?

We march to get rid of one man, but did we march when Thaksin mandated the murder of innocent men and women on the streets?

If we want to change Thailand for the better, getting rid of a few individuals won't do it. The change starts with us.

The PAD has the right to protest, and Samak has the prerogative say he was democratically and overwhelmingly elected.

We can say the election was bought, but which election wasn't? Buying an election is just a matter of supply and demand, it can't be bought if the people aren't willing to sell it. And the people is us, the Thai people. It is us who sell our freedom, our democracy.

If Samak resigns, there are thousands and thousands more Samaks ready to replace him. The idea and being of the likes of Thaksin or Samak is like the proverb ''fish in the water and the rice in the field''.

Yes, like fish and rice, there are an abundance of Thaksins and Samaks in Thailand, in all level of society, from the poor to the rich.

The jealousy, the factionalism, the close-mindedness, the hate, the cronyism, the corruption, the politicking, the manipulation, the exploitation, the selfishness and self-righteousness, the refusal to change for the better _ the things that we see play out in the political landscape, that we the people never cease to complain about in disgust _ are we also guilty of the same in our families, in our social circles, in our schools, in our work places?

Samak is merely a reflection of our society, a mirror of who we are _ the writer of this column not excepted.

Finding scapegoats and blaming others is easy. The rich blame the poor, the poor blame the rich. Failing that, we blame karma or black magic _ and of course, we blame foreigners.

Yes, we should take to the streets against corrupt politicians, but not much good can come of it if we simply huff and puff every few years and then go back to our daily corruption, apathy and superficialism.

The fact is: Each and every one of us is responsible and accountable for our country, our society and the future of our children.

Whatever that is wrong with Thai politics and society, we 60 million plus people all have a hand in it _ we are responsible for it.

We make Thailand. Not just Thaksin. Not just Samak. But all 60 million plus of us.

Samak is not worth one act of violence, not worth one drop of blood, not worth a single tear. He is not even worth the insults and hates the PAD throw at him each and every day.

Take to the streets and protest for the right reason: march not because we hate Samak, rather march because we love Thailand.

What we do in life each and every day, individually and collectively, is what will change our country, for better or for worse.

We should continue to fight corrupt politicians. But if we truly want better things for Thailand, the change starts with us, the Thai people.

The problem is the people themselves combined with their culture/brainwashing in some aspects.

Corruption is rampant and its everywhere. I have mailed the BKK post asking them for a Thai version to be put out.

Edited September 7, 2008 by yabaaaa

[Boater]

Voranai Vanijaka is on facebook, if you are a user of this platform, add him as a friend and show your support! ....

from what i gather from a friend who is also a reporter, the Thais are not so keen on his articles