Adolph Hitler Removed From Pattaya

[george]

Museum apologises for Hitler billboard

A wax staff moves a Adolf Hitler wax figure at

the Louis Tussauds Waxworks room in Pattaya

Monday. A billboard to promote the museum

showing Hitler giving a Nazi salute, with the

slogan "Hitler is Not Yet Dead" was covered up

after strong criticisms.//epa

PATTAYA: -- A Thai museum has apologised for a billboard which showed Adolf Hitler giving a Nazi salute.

The AP reports that the waxwork museum also covered up the poster, which carried the slogan "Hitler is not dead", after receiving complaints from the Israeli and German embassies.

The billboard was one of four posters of dead people used to promote the museum, which opens next month.

Museum director Somporn Naksuetrong said: "We didn't choose Hitler with the intention of praising him, but because he is well-known. But we understand. It is sensitive for some people and countries."

Posters of Bruce Lee, Mahatma Gandhi and Michael Jackson also appear in the campaign.

The museum has not yet decided who will replace Hitler on the billboard.

-- agencies 2009-10-20

Earlier discussion here.

[mrtoad]

Well, I've seen another large bill board of Hitler on the Patternakan / Srinarkarin junction at the PSTV office. Seems he's a popular guy for advertising in Thailand.

[Insight]

The museum has not yet decided who will replace Hitler on the billboard.

Wonder if they've considered Bin Laden...?

[crazyswede]

Nothing upset´s me anymore when it comes to Thai´s .. you just have to love them! 555

Little did i know about Thailand and Thai culture 10 years ago so how could they know about this .. told GF about Hitler , WWII etc. couple of years ago and she had never heard about it so dont blame Thai People , blame the regime!

[AsiaCheese]

The museum has not yet decided who will replace Hitler on the billboard.

Wonder if they've considered Bin Laden...?

Not dead yet (?)

[harrycallahan]

Dumb decision, he's one of the most famous figures in history, good reason to have a wax carricature. It's unfortunate a few imbeciles can choose what the rest of us can and can't see. The museum just needs to ensure that his portayal is done in a tasteful manner, which the comment probably didn't do but that's an easy fix and doesn't require him removed.

It's odd that nazi sensitivity has grown with time rather than fallen, a sure sign people (you know who) are milking it.

[ChiangMaiMike]

Uh... Are they missing the point? Or is it just me?

Hitler was a significant person in history... fine to include him, imho.

Truely evil people should not be forgotten... but also they certainly should not be glorified.

Not ok perhaps is saying "Hitler is not dead", which I think implies that his ideas should live on, when they clearly belong in the garbage dump of horrific realizations of human madness...

[goatfarmer]

A case of throwing the baby out with the bathwater? As one of the posts on the original discussion commented, there is nothing offensive about having a wax image of Hitler in the museum. He is a historical figure albeit an odius one. History should be promoted, not censored.

Edited October 20, 2009 by goatfarmer

[venturalaw]

"Museum director Somporn Naksuetrong said: "We didn't choose Hitler with the intention of praising him, but because he is well-known. But we understand. It is sensitive for some people and countries."

I believe the director is being honest here. I also understand why the billboard would be offensive to some people. Good idea that it is being removed but I would not remove the wax figure. He was part of history. However, there are plenty of ways to advertise without being offensive. Plus those offended certainly would not be visiting the museum, so it additionally makes financial sense.

Edited October 20, 2009 by venturalaw

[Jingthing]

The complaints were not about including the wax figure at the museum. The complaints were about the offensive advertisement which was indeed in extremely poor taste.

[Tonyzill]

Absolutely ridiculous removing it. All countries particularly Israel and Germany have always said that we should not forget. What they are saying here is hide it and no one will know or remember WWII and the Haulocast.

[Roota]

Not dead yet (?)

Literal translations really don't do justice to advertising slogans. The feeling of this one is closer to: 'Hitler Lives!' Which, you have to admit, does get one's attention.

[Jingthing]

All this free publicity for the new museum. What a crazy ad. Crazy like a fox ...

[dudemeister]

Not dead?

But I see somebody has taken a baseball bat to his fingers.

Thats a start.

[Shotime]

Dumb decision, he's one of the most famous figures in history, good reason to have a wax carricature. It's unfortunate a few imbeciles can choose what the rest of us can and can't see. The museum just needs to ensure that his portayal is done in a tasteful manner, which the comment probably didn't do but that's an easy fix and doesn't require him removed.

It's odd that nazi sensitivity has grown with time rather than fallen, a sure sign people (you know who) are milking it.

It's a shame cause he was a great dancer, too.

[ronz28]

It's about time. The sign made it appear that the people of Pattaya condone his past and the racism and genocide he stood for. The world sacrificed a lot to get rid of that demon.

[losworld]

Dumb decision, he's one of the most famous figures in history, good reason to have a wax carricature. It's unfortunate a few imbeciles can choose what the rest of us can and can't see. The museum just needs to ensure that his portayal is done in a tasteful manner, which the comment probably didn't do but that's an easy fix and doesn't require him removed.

It's odd that nazi sensitivity has grown with time rather than fallen, a sure sign people (you know who) are milking it.

Ridiculous thing is that you would likely have the same media uproar if this took place in the U.S. or Europe? What has happened to free speech. Let people make their own decisions. Have we no faith in humanity or we merely being being controlled through selective media.

Edited October 20, 2009 by losworld

[monty]

I too think it is bad taste.

History should never be forgotten and actively used to educate.

However, foreigners seeing that billboard will only see Hitler giving a Sieg Heil, almost like him welcoming people to Pattaya. Bad message.

It is in no way clear that this is an advertisement for a wax museum!

Putting Hitler, together with others famous people, on the same billboard with a clear indicator (bilingual) that it is an ad for a wax museum would be perfectly acceptable IMO...

[damian5000]

Dumb decision, he's one of the most famous figures in history, good reason to have a wax carricature. It's unfortunate a few imbeciles can choose what the rest of us can and can't see. The museum just needs to ensure that his portayal is done in a tasteful manner, which the comment probably didn't do but that's an easy fix and doesn't require him removed.

It's odd that nazi sensitivity has grown with time rather than fallen, a sure sign people (you know who) are milking it.

Ridiculous thing is that you would likely have the same media uproar if this took place in the U.S. or Europe? What has happened to free speech. Let people make their own decisions. Have we no faith in humanity or we merely being being controlled through selective media.

Probably a bunch of Jews complaining is my guess. Funny thing is how they've gone and done basically the same thing with Palestine, albeit in a more politically correct and less brutal manner.

[Jingthing]

Dumb decision, he's one of the most famous figures in history, good reason to have a wax carricature. It's unfortunate a few imbeciles can choose what the rest of us can and can't see. The museum just needs to ensure that his portayal is done in a tasteful manner, which the comment probably didn't do but that's an easy fix and doesn't require him removed.

It's odd that nazi sensitivity has grown with time rather than fallen, a sure sign people (you know who) are milking it.

Ridiculous thing is that you would likely have the same media uproar if this took place in the U.S. or Europe? What has happened to free speech. Let people make their own decisions. Have we no faith in humanity or we merely being being controlled through selective media.

Have you people failed to get this story??? It is NOT about the wax figure in the museum. It IS about the bad taste advertisement. The complaints were about the ad, NOT about the inclusion of the waxy Hitler at the museum. Of course an ad like that would never happen in the US; I can't speak for Europe.

People? What people. You know who? Are you afraid to be open about what you are saying?

Edited October 20, 2009 by Jingthing

[fiercesnake]

Interesting to note it was farang foreign interests - Israelis and Germans that made the complaint, not the Thais! An earlier comment shows the truth that most average Thais have no idea about Adolf Hitler or even about WWII. Historical education here on world wide events is incredibly poor for the average person. The education system concentrates entirely on their own history as they have written it. This is typical of a developing nation in the education system which has not yet reached a standard which encourages creative thinking or the acquisition of external knowledge. Best to keep them in the dark and just feed them the literacy development which will continue to encrust the Thai elite in their position of power while the poor remain ignorant of other world events. The museum was right to open education views, and this shows that Thailand is still a free country in many respects.

Yes clearly Hitler was an evil maniac, but if we hide from historical facts, then we do a disservice to these people. I don't find the billboard offensive, as pictures of Hitler's salute is extremely common on TV, especially "History", "National Geographic Channel" and "Discovery" which are all largely "farang" based and they are not censored, nor should they be. The museum is not glorifying this lunatic, they are, I agree helping to educate people and maybe making a little money in the process. I doubt if the average old German male here on a sex tour could care less about this billboard; think it sounds more like a knee jerk reaction from politically correct rich toffs in the German and Israeli Embassies rather than a consideration of educational ideals.

[marsteele]

Nothing upset´s me anymore when it comes to Thai´s .. you just have to love them! 555

Little did i know about Thailand and Thai culture 10 years ago so how could they know about this .. told GF about Hitler , WWII etc. couple of years ago and she had never heard about it so dont blame Thai People , blame the regime!

How could she not know about it? WWII is part of thai history. Thais sided with the Japanese, Japan sided with Germany (Hitler) Has she never heard of the infamous Thai/Burma Railway and the bridge over the River Kwai? We learnt in schools of the treatment afforded to allied prisoners of war at the hands of Thai and Japanese soldiers during the building of the Thai / Burma Railway from Bangkok through to burma

[ryladie99]

Nothing upset´s me anymore when it comes to Thai´s .. you just have to love them! 555

Little did i know about Thailand and Thai culture 10 years ago so how could they know about this .. told GF about Hitler , WWII etc. couple of years ago and she had never heard about it so dont blame Thai People , blame the regime!

Thai people are very free and positive about the way they see the world, they are so easyt about their lives, and you Farangs who live in Thailand many years should know better...Just tell the Thai and let them know about your hurtful feeling. After that they will do the appropriate action for you...

After 911 incident I got a call from my Thai friend who wanted to send me Bin Laden Tee shirts. She said they sold them in the markets...I was not too happy about this but, could not laugh so hard about her well intention, she really meant no harm just want to give me stuffs...after I explained to her she apologized

and felt so bad. I knew she did not mean no harm...well that is my take and opinion.

[starcatcher]

Nothing upset´s me anymore when it comes to Thai´s .. you just have to love them! 555

Little did i know about Thailand and Thai culture 10 years ago so how could they know about this .. told GF about Hitler , WWII etc. couple of years ago and she had never heard about it so dont blame Thai People , blame the regime!

Really? I think, you should blame your gf....

My wive (also Thai) knows very well about Hitler and Nazis - learned at school in Thailand

[Jingthing]

Truly the best choice would be Bawreck Hussein Obama.

Yes, there is a wax figure of Obama at the museum. Something for everyone, dears.

[Scott]

I find it interesting how people here can act surprised with things like this, but get so terribly upset with anything that might 'tarnish' the image of Thailand. Interesting.

[mrtoad]

I too think it is bad taste.

History should never be forgotten and actively used to educate.

However, foreigners seeing that billboard will only see Hitler giving a Sieg Heil, almost like him welcoming people to Pattaya. Bad message.

It is in no way clear that this is an advertisement for a wax museum!

Putting Hitler, together with others famous people, on the same billboard with a clear indicator (bilingual) that it is an ad for a wax museum would be perfectly acceptable IMO...

I have to agree - the problem here is how it would be portrayed to people coming into Pattaya -and looking at the sign - for most tourists they would have no idea what it represented, other than Hitler giving a Sieg Heil.

I t really shouldn't be rocket science for people working in the tourist industry to see how this poster could have been construed. Whilst the apology is fair, the actual way the billboard was presented whas thoughtless.

[ThaiFelix]

Dumb decision, he's one of the most famous figures in history, good reason to have a wax carricature. It's unfortunate a few imbeciles can choose what the rest of us can and can't see. The museum just needs to ensure that his portayal is done in a tasteful manner, which the comment probably didn't do but that's an easy fix and doesn't require him removed.

It's odd that nazi sensitivity has grown with time rather than fallen, a sure sign people (you know who) are milking it.

Ridiculous thing is that you would likely have the same media uproar if this took place in the U.S. or Europe? What has happened to free speech. Let people make their own decisions. Have we no faith in humanity or we merely being being controlled through selective media.

Probably a bunch of Jews complaining is my guess. Funny thing is how they've gone and done basically the same thing with Palestine, albeit in a more politically correct and less brutal manner.

'a more politically correct and less brutal manner'..........huh????

[john b good]

I don't find any humour whatsoever in this issue, and anyone who considers there is any humour in it has a very sick mind.

It is also indicative that so many people (denizens of the realm) have so little awareness of recent history that they might even think or consider engaging or being a party in such gross ignorance.

But then if it weren't for the allied forces there would be no Thai language spoken would there ?

There would be one language and that would be Japanese.

People have selective and very short memories.

[R123]

I assume that the authorities will also remove/cover up anything re George W. Bush and Tony Blair who collectively waged an unlawful war (on the pretext of WMD which never existed) and which led to the death of thousands of innocents in Iraq.