Xenophobia

[PhilHarries]

I've looked through the recent posts but can't find reference to this from today's BP (apologies if it is already on the forum).

Nationalism in print.

COMMENTARY By Sanitsuda Ekachai

What makes us proud of our country? At the Education Ministry, our patriotism is judged by how much we can memorise national history in textbooks as sacred fact written in stone.

That is why they are extremely worried about the future of patriotism here.

Despite the emphasis on rote learning to enforce conformity and to kill a questioning mind, the education authorities believe our children still cannot parrot well enough.

The protracted save-the-country theatre at Government House does not convince these bigwigs that there is no shortage of ultra-nationalism here.

The spiralling southern violence cannot make them see that the crux of the problem lies in their version of nationalism, which states that only the dominant Buddhist Thais own the country. Nor can they see that if they insist on pushing this down the throats of the ethnic Malay Muslims, peace will remain out of reach.

Hence their plan to make children across the country parrot more of what they define as national history, what they equate as patriotism, which boils down to a dangerous racist nationalism in a conflict-ridden society where respect for cultural plurality remains indispensible for peace.

When I told my 12-year-old daughter of the Education Ministry's plans for her history classes next year, she screamed at the idea.

"Why do they want to put us through more boring hours? Why do they think we will love the country by remembering about battles, blood and death? Why is history so full of killing and scary events? What is the point of making us remember so many difficult names and dates? I just don't see any use of it."

However boring, ultra-nationalism has still succeeded in seeping in to poison kids' minds. My daughter, for one, truly believes that Thailand once owned parts of our neighbouring countries, making us the greatest in this region.

"Because the textbooks say so."

Like most Thais, she feels Burma is fierce and heartless, Cambodia cannot be trusted and Laos is inferior to Thailand - because the history textbooks teach her so. And since national history only has room for ethnic Buddhists, she considers it an alien notion that other ethnic minorities must have equal rights to the dominant ethnic Thais in a democratic society.

Rest of article here : http://www.bangkokpost.net/topstories/tops...s.php?id=131049

Is it any wonder that, in general, Thais are so xenophobic when they are taught such feelings under the guise of patriotism?

And for us westerners the bit in red should make us feel not so hard done by.

[elkangorito]

Hopefully, when the older generation of Thais has gone, the younger Thais will have a fairer chance at being responsible for their own actions as well as realising that there are certain things that bind ALL humans together. Self respect, trust, understanding & tolerance are NOT cultural things. These things are universal.

Quote taken from http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=2175157

[kmart]

I only got a CSE grade in Xenophobia. Must do better.

[Gumballl]

...

Rest of article here : http://www.bangkokpost.net/topstories/tops...s.php?id=131049

...

Is there a Thai version of this article? I would like to hear the opinion (and see the reaction) of my TW and her family.

[thaihome]

Rather then worry about real or perceived xenophobia the posters here should be working on their own ethnocentrism that seems to dominate so many threads.

TH

[kmart]

Rather then worry about real or perceived xenophobia the posters here should be working on their own ethnocentrism that seems to dominate so many threads.

TH

"Ethnocentrism" (I had to look it up). "Ethnocentrism is the tendency to look at the world primarily from the perspective of one's own culture. Ethnocentrism often entails the belief that one's own race or ethnic group is the most important and/or that some or all aspects of its culture are superior to those of other groups. Within this ideology, individuals will judge other groups in relation to their own particular ethnic group or culture, especially with concern to language, behaviour, customs, and religion. These ethnic distinctions and sub-divisions serve to define each ethnicity's unique cultural identity.[1]"

... Well, fancy that on a Thai-based English language forum, eh?

[thaihome]

Well, fancy having xenophobia in a developing country that has been at war with it neighbors for a thousand years.

TH

Edited October 2, 2008 by thaihome

[JetsetBkk]

Hopefully, when the older generation of Thais has gone, the younger Thais will have a fairer chance at being responsible for their own actions as well as realising that there are certain things that bind ALL humans together. Self respect, trust, understanding & tolerance are NOT cultural things. These things are universal.

Quote taken from http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=2175157

It's going to take several generations for that to occur - maybe by the turn of the next century, or the one after that.

Meanwhile the Chalerm Yoobamrungs of Thailand will continue to teach their children how to look after their own.

[Samuian]

Meanwhile the Chalerm Yoobamrungs of Thailand will continue to teach their children how to look after their own.

Remember he said something for the public defense of his sons, which are genuine riffraff's.

He said something like: "Boys do make mistakes, before they mature, give them a chance!"

Wielding guns when ever necessary, having their bodyguards punch someone into an ICU and arguing whenever necessary: "Don't you know who WE are?"

Ahh..well... they do need protection, maybe intensive care, locked away into safety!

and Sanitsuda is a genuine darling of the HiSo wanna bee's and has these fit's.. from time to time.

there was this lawyer Thongbai something, also column writer, he could easely top this!

[prefabs]

I think that the internet will have a role to play in showing people, from all countries, eaxctly where they stand in the rankings. Whereas there is nothing wrong in being proud of your country, there should be, at least, be something to be proud of.

Friend of mine has an infant in school and he is already talking about going to UK so she can have some balanced view of the world and it's peoples