For Thai Fans World Cup Can Be About More Than Just Football

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

World Cup can be about more than just football

By The Nation

The world's most popular sporting event is also an opportunity to learn about other peoples and cultures

One month into the World Cup and most Thai fans still don't bother to make the most out of the event by learning about the food, culture and history of the countries they watch and root for. The remaining two weeks might be a good time for football fans to spend some time and attention on "edutainment".

Many days and hours have already been spent cheering the teams, drinking, and illegally gambling on the results, but too little time, if any, spent on learning about the countries participating in the world's most popular sporting event.

Instead of spending money betting on matches, fans might want to consider using that money to sample the cuisine of the teams involved. Those who blindly root for whatever country could spend an hour doing some Internet research and then sharing with others what they have learned about the countries they are cheering for.

Even without the enlightened intervention of embassies, some universities could still hold events with topics related to those countries participating in the World Cup, and open them to the general public.

There is a lot that Thais can learn about, beyond football, from the nations they are watching. Argentina for example, is known for its great beef. The cooking tradition favours slow grilling over a light fire instead of the strong-fired grilling often found in the United States, which too quickly hardens the meat. Chile has more to offer than food and wine, as its geographical location is one of the most unique in the world. There is much to learn about both countries.

The South Korean team, which unfortunately has already been eliminated from the competition, is determined and tenacious whenever it plays. Their style may have a lot to do with the country's history. The Koreans have often had to struggle against their big neighbours, China and Japan. Sandwiched between the two, the people of this small nation have learned to become very strong-willed in order to survive through centuries of hardship.

Much of Holland lies below sea level, and perhaps that fact should be of special interest to residents of the rapidly sinking city that is Bangkok. In the future we may have much to learn from the Dutch about how they have reclaimed land and managed to survive the forces of nature behind a gigantic system of dykes.

Slovenia, with just 2 million people, managed to put in a respectable performance in this World Cup, and Thailand, with more than sixty million people, might want to ask itself why its national team cannot excel in a sport that so many of its people love so much.

There are many foreign residents in Thailand from countries that are participating in the World Cup. Again, there is much to learn from them about their home countries. Sadly, free screening of matches at places like Siam Paragon and elsewhere are bereft of the "edutainment" aspects of the event. Most Thais continue to only know the names of Maradona, Messi, Peron and Che Guevara when it comes to Argentina, for example. And no more.

For the time that is left, while football fans are still in a festive mood, people should try to do what they can to learn more about other societies beyond the pint of English ale or a glass Chilean wine.

The point is that many Thais are too inward looking. We lack curiosity about the outside world. Events like the World Cup and the Olympics provide an obvious opportunity to learn about people and places beyond our borders. In this age of globalisation, a parochial Thailand cannot be a good thing. Making the effort to learn about and understand other cultures can only reap benefits in the long term - including whether Thailand makes it to the World Cup in four years' time, or indeed in 24 years' time.

-- The Nation 2010-06-30

[gotlost]

Many days and hours have already been spent cheering the teams, drinking, and illegally gambling on the results. There is more than this to the World Crap. You have to be kidding.

[Longbow212]

A possible explanation for Thailand not having a team in the world cup

Priorities for a Thai football team:

1. Deathly white skin

2. Good Korean style hair cut.

3. Must have Thai boyband good look and be handsome in a football kit

4. Possess a good family name

5. Come from a rich family

6. Get onto the team through father's connections or friends in the old boys club

7. PhD from a private "university" which must be declared at every opportunity

8. Possess football skills (optional)

As with most things in Thailand, looking the part is the most important factor "

Seriously though I don't think Thai people knowing much about the outside world is any different from any other countries population let alone a country so nationalistic.

Edited June 30, 2010 by Vigilante

[johnnort]

The great divide!!!!!   Most people, outside of Bangkok are in the fields scraping together a living! And, together with those that are not, the Thai system has brought them up to have no interest outside of Thailand. What an article! There are some that say the Red Shirts do not have a gripe??????????????????<br>I also agree with Vigilante. <br>

[landofthefree]

A possible explanation for Thailand not having a team in the world cup

Priorities for a Thai football team:

1. Deathly white skin

2. Good Korean style hair cut.

3. Must have Thai boyband good look and be handsome in a football kit

4. Possess a good family name

5. Come from a rich family

6. Get onto the team through father's connections or friends in the old boys club

7. PhD from a private "university" which must be declared at every opportunity

8. Possess football skills (optional)

As with most things in Thailand, looking the part is the most important factor "

Seriously though I don't think Thai people knowing much about the outside world is any different from any other countries population let alone a country so nationalistic.

You forgot to mention the synchronized cheering led by ladboys where everyone tries to act as camp as they possibly can...

[yesdavy]

EDITORIAL

World Cup can be about more than just football

By The Nation

The world's most popular sporting event is also an opportunity to learn about other peoples and cultures

One month into the World Cup and most Thai fans still don't bother to make the most out of the event by learning about the food, culture and history of the countries they watch and root for. The remaining two weeks might be a good time for football fans to spend some time and attention on "edutainment".

Many days and hours have already been spent cheering the teams, drinking, and illegally gambling on the results, but too little time, if any, spent on learning about the countries participating in the world's most popular sporting event.

Instead of spending money betting on matches, fans might want to consider using that money to sample the cuisine of the teams involved. Those who blindly root for whatever country could spend an hour doing some Internet research and then sharing with others what they have learned about the countries they are cheering for.

Even without the enlightened intervention of embassies, some universities could still hold events with topics related to those countries participating in the World Cup, and open them to the general public.

There is a lot that Thais can learn about, beyond football, from the nations they are watching. Argentina for example, is known for its great beef. The cooking tradition favours slow grilling over a light fire instead of the strong-fired grilling often found in the United States, which too quickly hardens the meat. Chile has more to offer than food and wine, as its geographical location is one of the most unique in the world. There is much to learn about both countries.

The South Korean team, which unfortunately has already been eliminated from the competition, is determined and tenacious whenever it plays. Their style may have a lot to do with the country's history. The Koreans have often had to struggle against their big neighbours, China and Japan. Sandwiched between the two, the people of this small nation have learned to become very strong-willed in order to survive through centuries of hardship.

Much of Holland lies below sea level, and perhaps that fact should be of special interest to residents of the rapidly sinking city that is Bangkok. In the future we may have much to learn from the Dutch about how they have reclaimed land and managed to survive the forces of nature behind a gigantic system of dykes.

Slovenia, with just 2 million people, managed to put in a respectable performance in this World Cup, and Thailand, with more than sixty million people, might want to ask itself why its national team cannot excel in a sport that so many of its people love so much.

There are many foreign residents in Thailand from countries that are participating in the World Cup. Again, there is much to learn from them about their home countries. Sadly, free screening of matches at places like Siam Paragon and elsewhere are bereft of the "edutainment" aspects of the event. Most Thais continue to only know the names of Maradona, Messi, Peron and Che Guevara when it comes to Argentina, for example. And no more.

For the time that is left, while football fans are still in a festive mood, people should try to do what they can to learn more about other societies beyond the pint of English ale or a glass Chilean wine.

The point is that many Thais are too inward looking. We lack curiosity about the outside world. Events like the World Cup and the Olympics provide an obvious opportunity to learn about people and places beyond our borders. In this age of globalisation, a parochial Thailand cannot be a good thing. Making the effort to learn about and understand other cultures can only reap benefits in the long term - including whether Thailand makes it to the World Cup in four years' time, or indeed in 24 years' time.

-- The Nation 2010-06-30

You only need to read the first couple of sentences to know that it is probably not written by a Thai. I have traveled abroad with Thais and have talked with many Thais that have traveled abroad, and I have socialized with Thais living abroad and regardless of where they are, they all seek out Thai restaurants when dining. This is probably out of some kind of allegiance rather than a culinary decision because, while Thai food is good and the spicier the better, it pales in comparison to many evolved cuisines. Maybe the lyrics to all the songs they learn, in lieu of an education, consider it treason to eat other food.

[yesdavy]

A possible explanation for Thailand not having a team in the world cup

Priorities for a Thai football team:

1. Deathly white skin

2. Good Korean style hair cut.

3. Must have Thai boyband good look and be handsome in a football kit

4. Possess a good family name

5. Come from a rich family

6. Get onto the team through father's connections or friends in the old boys club

7. PhD from a private "university" which must be declared at every opportunity

8. Possess football skills (optional)

As with most things in Thailand, looking the part is the most important factor "

Seriously though I don't think Thai people knowing much about the outside world is any different from any other countries population let alone a country so nationalistic.

You forgot to mention the synchronized cheering led by ladboys where everyone tries to act as camp as they possibly can...

Perhaps, you should have mentioned that the ladyboys should actually be playing soccer since it is basically a game for girls because they have lttle eye-hand coordination and cannot throw or catch.

[Jingthing]

Do most Thais know Che was an Argie, who Peron was? News to me!

BTW, where can I score some Ghanian cuisine in these parts? Reckon it's better than eating crow.

Nice try by the editorial writer, but he's pissing against the wind.

Edited June 30, 2010 by Jingthing

[asiawatcher]

I would hope the Thai's do not learn from the WC, lager louts, punch ups, gambling, body painting the most extreme parts of the body - oh what the heck? If Thaksin could buy a 'football' team then let the Thai's learn! Can't harm them can it?

[warfie]

the only remarkable thing is that this article made the papers at all...

[sukhumvitlegend]

Yet more thought provoking reporting from the nation. dross.