"That Which Nourishes Thailand May Destroy Thailand"

[Samuian]

That is the way to go - let 'em comin' please!

Point on!

[Thailand]

For me he hit the nail on the head of what is wrong with Thailand and why it continues to trail the likes of Singapore, Malaysia etc by very long strides when with it's resources should be leading the pack.

Still love it here though despite the many idiosyncrasies.

[nickynomates]

OK go down a level and next time your in deep conversation with your Tee ruk.

Try out who the president of the great USA is or Prime minister of England.

Can she name the countries that border France or even Thailand.

But ask the price of Somtam or the cost of noodle.!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh happy is the moron who does not give a dam

I wish i was a moron

My god perhaps i am.

Do i date the right girls !!!!!!!

[RKASA]

OK go down a level and next time your in deep conversation with your Tee ruk.

Try out who the president of the great USA is or Prime minister of England.

Can she name the countries that border France or even Thailand.

But ask the price of Somtam or the cost of noodle.!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh happy is the moron who does not give a dam

I wish i was a moron

My god perhaps i am.

Do i date the right girls !!!!!!!

This post got me thinking. I should ask my wife because she is my Tee Ruk. She knew the first two and got the borders of Thailand correct and most of France. She had no idea about somtum she just buys it if the price is not dumb, what ever that is. I then asked her who the Governor of Bangkok was. She paused and then looked at me and asked. Does it matter? I am going to apply her for a masters.

[RickBradford]

^

Good old Babblefish.

Voranai is terrific. This is up there with his "Let's Abandon 'ai bpen rai'" article which was a classic.

If there were only 1,000 people who thought like him with influence over this country, things for the people might be a whole lot better.

[lensta]

While I agree with the majority of posters who believe that the basic premise of this column; that more critical and independent thinking should be encouraged in the Thai educational system, I have some reservations about the author's logic and basic assumptions. I became skeptical from the beginning where he begins:

"Recently I was invited to give a speech at a university. The students were at masters degree level and in their twenties, which means these were some of the brighter minds of the Kingdom......."

Unfortunately, in my experience Thai graduate students tend to be less bright than they are spoilt and privleged. If the system encouraged equal educational opportunities to all students regardless of family and social background there may be a flood of vibrant new ideas pouring in from the classes who have been taught to mind their social place for generations, but I don't see this happening anytime soon.

You are right, it won't happen any time soon. Why? Because the rich and the powerful in Thailand (and it doesnt matter from which side of politics they come) want to keep the poor uneducated. Why? Because it is easier to control and influence the uneducated.

[Pond Life]

Sorry Espinoza, a babelfish translation (if thats what it is) wont work.

It needs to contain the essence of what the author is trying to say.

Not just the literal translation of the words.

The only person who can really do that is the original author.

I'm presuming he is equally eloquent in Thai.

[FarangForce5]

A thai translation of this article is fine and all, but it's not going to even cause a ripple in the pond of the problem addressed. Until this country as a whole learns to embrace certain (relevant) aspects of western culture nothing will get better. It's quite frustrating/depressing from the perspective of someone such as myself who has chosen to live his life here amongst these people.

[brahmburgers]

I read the article at the URL like, but until I started reading this thread, I didn't know who wrote it. The URL doesn't name the author.

That aside, yes, what he puts forth is valid, yet the same message has been said dozens of ways by dozens of farang for dozens of years. Is it now such a big deal if an articulate Thai person says it?

The mention of how Thais are so quickly offended if things don't go their way, goes beyond just momentary offense, indeed it can manifest in unnecessary delays, malicious gossip and physical harm.

Just recently I was searching all over my adopted town of Chiang Rai, and had some silly misunderstandings with some Thais who run a tiny recording studio. I was willing to put the misunderstandings aside, and go on with scheduling. However, they don't have the capacity to do something that simple. Because their ultra sensitive egos were slightly bruised, they've cut me off. I see such immature behavior manifest often here in LOS.

Maybe the author's next article can address over-nurturing and long extended babyhood of Thai kids. Such hyper sheltered existence makes for ultra sensitive and immature emotional reactions to things that most westerners would react to by brushing themselves off and going with their lives. Holding grudges forever, petty vindictiveness, and extreme jealousies are just a few of the raw emotions that stem from an over-sheltered upbringing that stifles maturation.

[dre1247]

If you are Thai, you should read this, if you are a farang living in Thailand, you should read this, if you are a farang living in farangland, a little knowledge about another culture won't kill you...

Voranai at his finest. The only reason I subscribe to the BKK Post is for his Sunday column.

Strange, you don't have to subscribe to the BKK post, just read the free copy on the internet. Paste and copy as you did.

[dre1247]

Is there anyway I can obtain a Thai version of this ?

Try here? http://translate.google.com a bit of self investigation is allowed.

[dre1247]

Agree, a version translated into Thai, would come in very useful in my life!

Anybody?

Grrr. Try this for starters but have it cleaned up, by a Thai that is.

เมื่อเร็วๆนี้ผมได้รับเชิญให้พูดที่มหาวิทยาลัย. นักเรียนมีระดับปริญญาโทและ twenties ซึ่งหมายความว่าพวกเขาเหล่านี้บางจิตใจที่สว่างของราชอาณาจักร. ผู้ I ถามพวกเขาว่าราชการกรุงเทพฯเป็น. หลังจากช่วงเวลาของความเงียบมึนงงหนึ่งนักเรียนเริ่มพูด AP ... Apir .. Apirak. อีกเสียงอย่างรวดเร็วใน Apirak Kosayodhin! ทุกคนในสัญญา nodded.

กระทำการปลอมตัวที่ดีที่สุดของฉัน Sidney Poitier ในการ Sir, with Love, กับมือที่สะโพกของฉันฉัน bit ริมฝีปากของฉัน shook หัวของฉันได้ถูกโบกนิ้วชี้ของฉันและกล่าวว่า''No''. เรียนอีกแล้ว blurted out:''เป็นแม่ [ความหมายชื่อ Royal] แม่บางแม่, แม่ ... "แต่เรายังไม่ได้ทุกที่ดังนั้นผมจึงประทานคำตอบที่ฉันรู้สึกไม่ฉันต้องการพิมพ์ในคอลัมน์นี้.

ในโอกาสที่แตกต่างแต่ยังค่อนข้างนานมานี้ผมได้สัมภาษณ์กับอาจารย์เศรษฐศาสตร์จากมหาวิทยาลัยชื่อเสียง. เราคุยโครงการสิ่งเร้ารัฐบาล. ตลอดการสัมภาษณ์ของอาจารย์เป็นอุ่นมากและตื่นเต้น, สีแดงในหน้านี้และยังปฏิเสธที่จะมองฉันตลอดเวลา. ฉันได้อะไรไป agitate เขา

ก็เพราะฉันถามเขาคำถาม _ คำถามที่ขัดกับความเชื่อของเขาคำถามที่ทำให้เขาสะดุดและสูญหายเป็นคำ; คำถามที่ถามเขา authority. ฉันยังถามอย่างอ่อนโยนแต่มั่นใจ. เขาแสดงออกมากกว่าหนึ่งครั้งของเขาปฏิเสธศรัทธากล่าวว่าจริง disagreed กับเขาและถามเขา.

หนึ่งในมือเรามีนักเรียนที่ไม่ทราบว่าสิ่งเพราะไม่อยู่ในวัฒนธรรมไทยถามคำถาม. (แต่ถ้าคุณไม่ถามคำถามว่าคุณจะได้เรียนรู้อะไร?) ในทางกลับกันเรามีครูที่ไม่ต้องการที่จะถามคำถามเพราะไม่อยู่ในวัฒนธรรมไทยถูกสอบสวนโดยเฉพาะโดยตอนต้น , คนเล็ก. (แต่ถ้าไม่มีใครถามคุณว่าคุณจะรู้ว่าถ้าคุณขวาเกี่ยวกับอะไร? จะมีสายปรับระหว่างการแก้ไขและการ delusional, ไม่มี?)

ขอ''สิ่งที่ชื่อของคุณ''หรือ''ว่าคุณทำอย่างไร''เป็นสิ่ง. แต่เมื่อคุณถามข้อมูลประเพณีความคิดเห็นและความเชื่อมันเป็นรูปแบบการเผชิญหน้า. ในวัฒนธรรมของเรามากคิดนี้หยาบ, ก้าวร้าวและไม่เหมาะสม.

ฉันได้สัมภาษณ์กับอาจารย์ที่แตกต่างกันยังค่อนข้างเร็วๆนี้. หัวข้อเป็นไทยการจัดการสไตล์. อาจารย์ได้จุดเกี่ยวกับ greng ใจเป็นหนึ่งในประเด็นหลักในการทำงานไทย. คนไม่ถามไม่ถามและไม่เผชิญหน้า. ให้ทำจะถือว่าหยาบ, ก้าวร้าวและไม่เหมาะสม. ซึ่งหมายความว่าในที่ทำงานไทยเนื่องจากวัฒนธรรมของเราเราไม่พูดความจริงกัน _ เกินไปกลัวที่จะกล่าวว่ามันอ่อนเกินไปจะได้ยินมัน. เพียงไม่ดี _ ถ้าคุณพี่ใหญ่แน่นอน.

ดังนั้นธุรกิจไทย _ ไม่ทั้งหมดแต่มากเกินไป _ ไม่เปลี่ยนแปลงและการแข่งขันดี. ซึ่งในภาพใหญ่อาจอธิบายว่าทำไมสิงคโปร์ประเทศที่ดูไทยมากเป็นคู่ต่อสู้ทางเศรษฐกิจของเราใหญ่เป็นอันดับสี่ของโลกโดยดัชนีการแข่งขัน the World Economic Forum's Global ขณะที่ประเทศไทยหมู่ 34. เราอาจมีคู่แข่งแล้วครั้งหนึ่งแต่ไม่อีก _ 34 ลบสี่เป็น 30 เราไม่ได้ปิด. มาเลเซียหมู่ 21.

แบกกับฉัน.

Christopher โลว์เป็นนักเขียนบทละครอังกฤษศตวรรษที่ 16 ผู้ตายอย่างหมดสติและเยาวชน. หลายกล่าวว่าเขาไม่เพียงแต่เขียนดีกว่าร่วมสมัยของวิลเลียมเชคสเปียแต่โลว์ยังให้ Shakespeare คิดเรื่องบาง. ราคาโลว์มีชื่อเสียงที่เคารพบูชาโดย angst-ผู้ใหญ่หนุ่มสาวผู้ซึ่งได้สลัดจินตนาการตัวเองเป็นอนาถ-romantics. ในหลายกรณีพวกเขาแม้สักใบเสนอราคาในร่างกายของพวกเขา.

ราคาเป็นเพียงการแสดงออกในบทกวีของข้อเท็จจริงมากชีวิต: สิ่งที่ nourishes ฉันยังทำลายฉัน. ซึ่งโดยทั่วไปหมายถึงมีดีและไม่ดีในทุกสิ่ง. เช่นความรักอาจจะยกคุณขึ้นไปยังฟากฟ้าสว่างจ้าที่วานิลลาเป็นสีฟ้าแต่ยังสามารถลากคุณลงไปที่บ่อ deepest และ darkest ของนรก Dante's. นั่นคือชีวิต _ มัน nourishes คุณจะทำลายคุณ.

เช่นทั้งหมดอื่นในชีวิตวัฒนธรรมไทยก็มีผลบวกและลบ. บรรดาโบรชัวร์ท่องเที่ยวไม่โกหกพวกเขาเพียงไม่บอกเรื่องราวทั้งหมด. ใช่นอกจาก incidences สีสันบางเราโดยทั่วไปคนดี, สงบและเป็นมิตรมีใจ greng _ _ เหล่านี้เป็นสิ่งที่ดีที่เราควรค่าเสมอ. แต่ด้านอื่นๆของเรื่องคือ. เพื่อให้ค่า niceties เรามักท้ายโกหกเพื่อตัวเราและกันเพราะเราเกลียดการเผชิญหน้ากันด้วยความจริง. เพราะท้ายของวันเป็นองค์กร _ ว่าสังคมเป็นโรงเรียนธุรกิจหรือประเทศ _ เราไม่จริงได้ทุก. เราเดินเล่นสบายขณะที่เชื้อชาติอื่นที่ผ่านมาเราและเราเป็นซ้ายไปแปลกใจทำไมดังมากมายและโชคดีดูเหมือนประเทศเช่นประเทศไทยมีจำนวนมากจึงยากจนทุกข์มากให้ injustices ร้ายแรงมากและเพื่อให้ชะลอการดำเนิน. ขณะที่เดินเล่นสบายเรายังจัดการกับการเดินทางผ่านสิ่งและล้มลงเพราะเราไม่ได้รำคาญมองที่เราให้ไป.

เราเป็นคนไม่โลกและทราบเพราะเราไม่สอนให้คิดและขอแต่เราสอนให้เชื่อฟัง. เราเป็นคนที่กลัวที่จะคิดและขอเพราะในการทำเช่นนี้มีอันตรายของการเผชิญหน้าของความหยาบ, ก้าวร้าวและไม่เหมาะสม.

เนื่องจากเราได้อากาศเป็นนิสัยไม่สงสัยแล้วธรรมชาติสมองของเราไม่ได้มีการปฏิบัติในอดีตความคิดและความคิดเห็นเพื่อตบตาคำถาม. เนื่องจากเราขาดในความคิดและความคิดเห็นของเราง่ายอ่อนแอเพื่อจัดการ, ประโยชน์และการล้างสมองจริงจัง. เพราะเรากำลังปรับอากาศเพื่อการจัดการ, exploited และ brainwashed เรากลายเป็นดีมากที่เชื่อฟังสภาพที่เป็นอยู่, อำนาจที่จะ. ตั้งแต่เราดีมากที่เชื่อฟังเรากลายเป็นใช้มันเพื่อให้เราถามอะไรไม่ค่อยเคยและจากนี้เราจะไม่โลกไม่ทราบ.

จากนักเรียนที่ไม่ทราบเพราะไม่ได้ขอให้ครูที่ไม่ต้องการคำถามเนื่องจากความต้องการของพวกเขาเชื่อฟัง. ณสิ้นวันนี้เป็นสังคมที่เราจบกับนั้นที่มากช้าก้าวหน้า.

กลับไปยังมหาวิทยาลัยที่ฉันได้พูด. มันเอาสัมผัสของเสน่ห์และตบเบาๆของล่อใจเพื่อป้องกันไม่ให้พูดจากทั้งหมดเป็นหนึ่งด้านกิจการกับฉันบนแท่นและพวกเขาทั้งตาและเงียบ. แต่จะไม่ทราบว่ามีการให้กำลังใจและความพยายามพอ, ที่สุดที่พวกเขาเริ่มพูดคุย, ถูกวางคำถามและความคิดเห็นเปล่งเสียง. ใกล้สิ้นการสนทนาบางถามแม้คำถามจาก curiosities ของตนเองโดยไม่ต้องถูกกระตุ้นด้วยความกลัวและไม่ qualms no. ไหนในการแสดงนักศึกษาไทยไม่หูหนวกเป็นใบ้ตาบอดดังนั้นพวกเขาก็ไม่มีโอกาสที่จะพูดถึงตนเอง.

มีดีมีของเสียและที่จริงเพียงชีวิตหนึ่งวัฒนธรรมไทยมีด้านที่วิเศษที่เราไม่ควรทิ้ง. คำถามคือว่าเราจะนำยอดเงินที่กองกำลังของการบำรุงรักษาและการทำลาย?

บางทีเราจำเป็นต้องเริ่มต้นด้วยการถามคำถามและคำถามแรกเราอาจวางท่าทางที่ตัวเราคืออะไรฉันจะให้ดีชีวิตของ 65 ล้านคนไทย? คำตอบคือง่ายกว่าใครจะคิดว่า: ให้โอกาสสำหรับทุกคนรอบคุณทุกคนที่คุณพบเพื่อคิดว่าตัวเองที่แสดงตัวเองและทุกคำถามรอบพวกเขา. สนับสนุนให้ผู้อยู่รอบๆคุณแทนที่จะกล่าวโทษพวกเขาไม่สมควร. หากเราสามารถทำแล้วเราก็จะเปิดขึ้นในโลกของความเป็นไปได้ไม่รู้จบ. ที่กลัวอะไร?

[dre1247]

Agree, a version translated into Thai, would come in very useful in my life!

Anybody?

Why?/ You are not going to slap them around the face and tell them what is wrong with them are you? I trust you use sense and compassion when teaching others. One cannot expect the Thais to change overnight by reading this article, their lifestyle is too deep ingrained (over the hundreds of years) almost like genetically locked up. Be gentle.

[rogercw]

"I see this phenom in my own country, the USA. Americans self image of themselves as being ultra independent individualists and their phobia of "socialism" has brought them to have the most expensive and least inclusive health care system in the developed world. This has reduced the competitiveness with countries that don't have this psychological quirk."

I disagree with the least inclusive health care system portion of this comment Jingthing. The figure normally thrown out is 47 million uninsured in the country. About 11 million of the total are illegals who should not be in the country to begin with. Millions more are young folk who feel they don't need health care at their age and would rather spend the money on wheels and party party. Millions more had health care at their last job and will have when they get their next one.

In any case they all have health care it is just inconvenient because it is the emergency room of the local hospital.

If people fly to America from all over the world because they think we have the best we must be doing something right despite not being perfect.

[dre1247]

Simply another silly, opinionated, self-aggrandizement article by someone who has way too much time waffling about facts that kids in college dont really have the time nor inkling to remember. Nor should they - too busy trying to get good grades, and staying off the dope and out of the bottle.

That would make mom & pop real happy - there will be plenty of time to remember all that nonsense after the latest governmental appointments, and after yet another coup or New York Heist whilst the duly elected Bossman is doing the people's work - when the student who did know the answer, and didnt make it in big corporate, or anywhere else, but who decided to write about it instead, and is now a full-blown, low-level lush.

Thats First Prize - Second Prize is being the understudy!!

The author may have scored a couple cheap points - Lordy - I would simply hate to have heard the rest of the opinionated nonsense that was sprouting-forth that evening. One thing is for sure - he did his vocation no favors. A bleeding-heart Tim Robbins wannabee!?

That genre - by-the-way - does produce an extraordinary amount of alcoholics, per capita.

People who make silly speeches have egos larger than any President of any major corporation - without the ambition & drive.

Presumably it was for free also - so what is the point?! That they frequent the open bar, drink real brands & day-old, finger snack circuit? Oh Man!!

The author was the only one in-step on the whole parade-ground - research a litany of facts and snare the unforewarned?!

And that diatribe created how many hi-tech jobs?! Or any jobs?!

Wonder how many folks the author really fooled?! One - maybe!!

And ........... that's another way of seeing it;) Now don't go overboard, just another way, thats all... However, a tiny bit of vinaigre p*ssing that well.

[LaoPo]

There may be plenty of people who can see the value in questioning, offering alternatives, etc, but public discussion and leadership don't seem to allow for it. Abhisit Vejajiwa presents himself as one who is willing to listen to and consider views opposed to his own, but many people think he displays weakness as a result (or that he speaks with forked tongue).

Having heard Khun Abhisit speak on a US talk show, I was impressed with his flawless mastery of the English language. Having read that he studied abroad, I can only assume that he's been privileged to receive a healthy dosage of logical/critical thinking and therefore understands some of the flaws (minor as some may be) that other leaders perhaps haven't ever considered.

It's not so surprising since Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva* was born in the UK, in Newcastle, from Thai-Chinese parents who were both Medical Professors so he certainly enjoyed privileged education, also in English.

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abhisit_Vejja...e_and_education

Strange is that in "Who's who in Thailand" it's mentioned that he was born in Bangkok, August 3, 1964*, which is, no doubt, an error.

** http://whoswho-thailand.com/listings/polit...-vejjajiva.html

LaoPo

[dre1247]

I still want a copy in Thai, gonna frame it and hang it up next to the hong nam.

Hmm my feer was well grounded. With this mindset you are never in a position to teach others whomever they are.

[ding]

A very interesting piece indeed that cuts to the quick about the best and worst of Thai culture.

There are so many positives about Thailand that I love, will the country change slowly to improve the negatives mentioned in the article? I hope so. I'm not sure the "ajarns" could handle it though.

Great article and makes sense from my western perspective. But after reflection, I think for Thais to trade their culture for a competitive western-style culture would be a loss for the human race.

I love Thailand and always grieve the supplanting of Thai ways with western ways. When 4 food carts and 2 wonderful restaraunts are replaced by a Burger King, I grieve a bit.

There's a reason we are drawn to Thailand and it's not because we want to have the "hurray for me, F you!" attitude in our face at every turn.

I understand the author's point, but he should be careful what he asks for, IMHO. The west is not a friendly place, not even more fair. We make more money, and then need to spend it all. If Americans can't control our own food production means, seeds and farming, and are fat because of it, then what does that say about our freedom?

I'm quietly proud of the messy, raucous Thai democracy. And I respect those that get off their butts and carry a sign to the street. Or the underwear seamstresses that wear their bras outside their shirts and march on the embassy of the company goofing with them. Chai yo!

Edited September 6, 2009 by ding

[Thai at Heart]

A very interesting piece indeed that cuts to the quick about the best and worst of Thai culture.

There are so many positives about Thailand that I love, will the country change slowly to improve the negatives mentioned in the article? I hope so. I'm not sure the "ajarns" could handle it though.

Great article and makes sense from my western perspective. But after reflection, I think for Thais to trade their culture for a competitive western-style culture would be a loss for the human race.

I love Thailand and always grieve the supplanting of Thai ways with western ways. When 4 food carts and 2 wonderful restaraunts are replaced by a Burger Jung, I grieve a bit.

There's a reason we are drawn to Thailand and it's not because we want to have the "hurray for me, F you!" attitude in our face at every turn.

I understand the author's point, but he should be careful what he asks for, IMHO. The west is not a friendly place, not even more fair. We make more money, and then need to spend it all. If Americans can't control our own food production means, seeds and farming, and are fat because of it, then what does that say about our freedom?

I'm quietly proud of the messy, raucous Thai democracy. And I respect those that get off their butts and carry a sign to the street. Or the underwear seamstresses that wear their bras outside their shirts and march on the embassy of the company goofing with them. Chai yo!

No one least of all me would say they should ape the western world. Critical and inspiring thought, or questioning authority isn't reserved for the West. Freeing people's minds would probably keep them out of Burger King rather than force them into it.

Preserving the status quo for fear of the bogeyman of the future will probably doom Thailand to a pretty gloomy future. I don't subscribe to the idea that Thai's are not creative but, moulding young minds goes a lot further than stagnant learning and regimented thought. The world doesn't stand still and these "superior" ajarns will be long gone when the 20 year olds they are teaching today are 50 years old and competing in an ever more competitive world.

Edited September 6, 2009 by Thai at Heart

[ding]

"I see this phenom in my own country, the USA. Americans self image of themselves as being ultra independent individualists and their phobia of "socialism" has brought them to have the most expensive and least inclusive health care system in the developed world. This has reduced the competitiveness with countries that don't have this psychological quirk."

I disagree with the least inclusive health care system portion of this comment Jingthing. The figure normally thrown out is 47 million uninsured in the country. About 11 million of the total are illegals who should not be in the country to begin with. Millions more are young folk who feel they don't need health care at their age and would rather spend the money on wheels and party party. Millions more had health care at their last job and will have when they get their next one.

In any case they all have health care it is just inconvenient because it is the emergency room of the local hospital.

If people fly to America from all over the world because they think we have the best we must be doing something right despite not being perfect.

LOL

You must be watching American TV news, or work in the medical insurance industry! People are flying to developing nations, like Thailand, for medical care. At least the folks with some cash to do so. The emergency room is extremely expensive and the hordes of uninsured drive up medical expenses doing so - out of desperation. You're statistics are misleading. You may want to look at the situation again. Or you may not...

America has areas of great medical care for the very wealthy, but sub-par care for the most part. IF you even have insurance anymore. Wage increase have gone to health care for a long time now in the US. As for general pedestrian quality, Thais I know in America go back to Thaialand for care because they think the doctors there are better. And I agree, doctors in America are trained to throw overpriced drugs at every presented complaint.

A Thai Dr cured a problem I suffered with for 12 years in the US. I saw 6 Dr's and a specialist in the US. The Thai Dr cured it first visit, 2 weeks it was gone and never returned. My Thai wife thinks the Dr's in the US are clueless and doesn't trust them. We've tried several. The river of paperwork and insane expense makes her almost say an impolite thing about Americans for buying the TV News baloney and puting up with this thugery.

America is the laughing stock of the developed world when it comes to health care.

Even the developing world wonders... <deleted>???

The only people certain that America has superior care are Americans who watch the TV machine in America.

[Petbon]

A very interesting piece indeed that cuts to the quick about the best and worst of Thai culture.

There are so many positives about Thailand that I love, will the country change slowly to improve the negatives mentioned in the article? I hope so. I'm not sure the "ajarns" could handle it though.

What a well-written and insightful article. The author has really gotten to the center of the problem. And it is a problem than can be addressed via altering the flow of information (i.e., education).

I have been a professor for over 20 years now......taught all over the world. The first thing I say to my students is to question everything I have to say. I tell them not to believe one word that I am about to tell them and to discover, for themselves, what is "true."

Why? Because I want them to question authority. I want them to move beyond being grinning robots in a machine that wants nothing more than to use them up for profit. I want them to think out of the box, initiate positive change, and move beyond the mental chains of the status quo.

Thailand really needs to move in this direction.............

Thais aren't alone in needing to move in this direction! Some in NZ are equally ignorant, unquestioning etc...as are those academic "experts" who haven't moved on from what acquired back in their uni years.

[Petbon]

"I see this phenom in my own country, the USA. Americans self image of themselves as being ultra independent individualists and their phobia of "socialism" has brought them to have the most expensive and least inclusive health care system in the developed world. This has reduced the competitiveness with countries that don't have this psychological quirk."

I disagree with the least inclusive health care system portion of this comment Jingthing. The figure normally thrown out is 47 million uninsured in the country. About 11 million of the total are illegals who should not be in the country to begin with. Millions more are young folk who feel they don't need health care at their age and would rather spend the money on wheels and party party. Millions more had health care at their last job and will have when they get their next one.

In any case they all have health care it is just inconvenient because it is the emergency room of the local hospital.

If people fly to America from all over the world because they think we have the best we must be doing something right despite not being perfect.

LOL

You must be watching American TV news, or work in the medical insurance industry! People are flying to developing nations, like Thailand, for medical care. At least the folks with some cash to do so. The emergency room is extremely expensive and the hordes of uninsured drive up medical expenses doing so - out of desperation. You're statistics are misleading. You may want to look at the situation again. Or you may not...

America has areas of great medical care for the very wealthy, but sub-par care for the most part. IF you even have insurance anymore. Wage increase have gone to health care for a long time now in the US. As for general pedestrian quality, Thais I know in America go back to Thaialand for care because they think the doctors there are better. And I agree, doctors in America are trained to throw overpriced drugs at every presented complaint.

A Thai Dr cured a problem I suffered with for 12 years in the US. I saw 6 Dr's and a specialist in the US. The Thai Dr cured it first visit, 2 weeks it was gone and never returned. My Thai wife thinks the Dr's in the US are clueless and doesn't trust them. We've tried several. The river of paperwork and insane expense makes her almost say an impolite thing about Americans for buying the TV News baloney and puting up with this thugery.

America is the laughing stock of the developed world when it comes to health care.

Even the developing world wonders... <deleted>???

The only people certain that America has superior care are Americans who watch the TV machine in America.

If my son didn't fill me in on some of the good stuff in Thailand, and I hadn't visited (albeit briefly), I'd be indoctrinated into certain perceptions too.

I encountered fewer beggars in Bangkok than in Auckland's main street (NZ has very generous welfare state - even if you've never worked, the government/i.e.poor old taxpayer gives you food, clothing etc. for the rest of your life).

To me, Thais seemed more cheerful, hardworking and prepared to take personal responsibility instead of living off others' labours.

[JR Texas]

To me, Thais seemed more cheerful, hardworking and prepared to take personal responsibility instead of living off others' labours.

IMHO, Thais are cheerful on the outside only (most of them). It is a culturally ingrained behavioral "show."

Thais are also the least hardworking people I have encountered on the planet.

Don't get me wrong.......many do work hard if you put a gun to their heads, but as soon as they get the opportunity, they quit their jobs and retire to a hammock on the front porch........most play the "work as little as possible game."

And Thais virtually never take personal responsibility for anything.

Personally, I don't know what country you are living in.

[brahmburgers]

To me, Thais seemed more cheerful, hardworking and prepared to take personal responsibility instead of living off others' labours.

IMHO, Thais are cheerful on the outside only (most of them). It is a culturally ingrained behavioral "show."

Thais are also the least hardworking people I have encountered on the planet.

Don't get me wrong.......many do work hard if you put a gun to their heads, but as soon as they get the opportunity, they quit their jobs and retire to a hammock on the front porch........most play the "work as little as possible game."

And Thais virtually never take personal responsibility for anything.

Personally, I don't know what country you are living in.

I almost relocated to Belize before opting for Thailand. A Belizian friend once told me Belize folks are the laziest on the planet.

Thais appear to be somewhat lazy and there are loads of types of work they cringe away from doing as 'beneath their dignity.' I hire workers in northernmost Thailand for land development with hand tools, and construction, and I wind up with hill tribe workers and illegal immigrants, as they're the only ones who don't mind getting the hands dirty. Plus they're steady and cheery workers. Start right at 8 am, quit at 12 sharp (if they're halfway thru hammering a nail, they'll stop). Eat some odd little mess of food while sitting on banana leaves in the shade, then rest in a hammock or on a reed floor covering for 20 minutes, then back to work until 5 pm sharp.

I had a Thai show up for work once. He was 1 hour late, he had on disco shoes and pressed pants and I had told him earlier we were going to mix and pour concrete all day. I told him to go home before he got a blemish on his downtown clothes.

[Bearhawk07]

Simply another silly, opinionated, self-aggrandizement article by someone who has way too much time waffling about facts that kids in college dont really have the time nor inkling to remember. Nor should they - too busy trying to get good grades, and staying off the dope and out of the bottle.

That would make mom & pop real happy - there will be plenty of time to remember all that nonsense after the latest governmental appointments, and after yet another coup or New York Heist whilst the duly elected Bossman is doing the people's work - when the student who did know the answer, and didnt make it in big corporate, or anywhere else, but who decided to write about it instead, and is now a full-blown, low-level lush.

Thats First Prize - Second Prize is being the understudy!!

The author may have scored a couple cheap points - Lordy - I would simply hate to have heard the rest of the opinionated nonsense that was sprouting-forth that evening. One thing is for sure - he did his vocation no favors. A bleeding-heart Tim Robbins wannabee!?

That genre - by-the-way - does produce an extraordinary amount of alcoholics, per capita.

People who make silly speeches have egos larger than any President of any major corporation - without the ambition & drive.

Presumably it was for free also - so what is the point?! That they frequent the open bar, drink real brands & day-old, finger snack circuit? Oh Man!!

The author was the only one in-step on the whole parade-ground - research a litany of facts and snare the unforewarned?!

And that diatribe created how many hi-tech jobs?! Or any jobs?!

Wonder how many folks the author really fooled?! One - maybe!!

[Bearhawk07]

Simply another silly, opinionated, self-aggrandizement article by someone who has way too much time waffling about facts that kids in college dont really have the time nor inkling to remember. Nor should they - too busy trying to get good grades, and staying off the dope and out of the bottle.

That would make mom & pop real happy - there will be plenty of time to remember all that nonsense after the latest governmental appointments, and after yet another coup or New York Heist whilst the duly elected Bossman is doing the people's work - when the student who did know the answer, and didnt make it in big corporate, or anywhere else, but who decided to write about it instead, and is now a full-blown, low-level lush.

Thats First Prize - Second Prize is being the understudy!!

The author may have scored a couple cheap points - Lordy - I would simply hate to have heard the rest of the opinionated nonsense that was sprouting-forth that evening. One thing is for sure - he did his vocation no favors. A bleeding-heart Tim Robbins wannabee!?

That genre - by-the-way - does produce an extraordinary amount of alcoholics, per capita.

People who make silly speeches have egos larger than any President of any major corporation - without the ambition & drive.

Presumably it was for free also - so what is the point?! That they frequent the open bar, drink real brands & day-old, finger snack circuit? Oh Man!!

The author was the only one in-step on the whole parade-ground - research a litany of facts and snare the unforewarned?!

And that diatribe created how many hi-tech jobs?! Or any jobs?!

Wonder how many folks the author really fooled?! One - maybe!!

What point are you trying to make? With what do you disagree? You did not like the author and his message? Is that your point?

[nikster]

Good, insightful article, though I sure hope he's publishing this in some Thai newspapers as well... as for farangs coming in and "educating" the Thails, I don't think that's going to work, ever, so forget about it. Thailand will go their own way, maybe they'll find a way out of their mess, maybe not, us outsiders can sit and observe and contribute positively to Thai society meanwhile.

"Preserving" the Thai-ness is also an illusion. Everything changes, Thailand included. Clinging to the past is one thing that is _not_ currently a problem of Thailand so let's be happy about that.

One thing I do not agree with in the article is that Thai culture is to blame for falling behind Singapore. I think it's corruption, or the failure to reign it in. On the other hand, maybe the no-questions society fosters corruption as well, who knows? I don't see much connection there though.

[angiud]

Has anybody found a thai translation?

[Pond Life]

I e mailed the author.

He says he cannot write very well in Thai.

Therefore he does not publish in Thai.