Thais Increasingly Dissolute: Experts

[george]

Thais increasingly dissolute: experts

BANGKOK: -- Thai society has hit a nadir in immorality in which parents shower their children with money instead of care, thieves prey on people in broad daylight, and teens indulge in reckless hedonism.

These were some of the red flags that participants raised yesterday at a seminar on eroding social norms, hosted by the National Culture Commission.

Thais tend to be greedy, ill-tempered, deceitful and aggressive, said Buddhist thinker Phra Paisal Visalo of Chaiyaphum’s Wat Pa Sukhato.

The monk cited findings by a recent ABAC poll that said a whopping 98 per cent of young Thais liked to cut class to go shopping; 60 per cent admitted to skipping classes for other reasons; and 45 per cent said they drank regularly.

Phra Paisal argued that such hedonism among Thai youths was the result of hands-off parents who tended to give their children ample pocket money in lieu of real parental care and affection.

He called on government officials to reintroduce the teaching of traditional morals in school curricula. As an example, he recommended that sex education not just focus on the mechanics of sex, but also on the sexual morals.

The monk stressed that such traditional attitudes as non-violence and loving kindness must be consistently fostered in children from the kindergarten level and even in young adults in university.

Somphong Chitladap, a lecturer at the Faculty of Education at Chulalongkorn, University, said that with each new generation traditional morals were noticeably eroding.

He faulted modern lifestyles, which prize materialism. As a result, more and more youngsters are turning to pornography, coveting expensive gadgets like flashy mobile phones, and engaging in gambling and one-night-stands, Somphong said.

The university lecturer said many female students went gaga over Japanese-style mini-skirts for their college uniforms, a practice that some universities tacitly endorse. Somphong added that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was keenly aware of the erosion of morals in Thai society and supports a comprehensive initiative to tackle the problems.

Maj-General Jaramporn Suramanee, deputy chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said a social crisis was brewing.

The chief explained that road races, gang-style fights, and teenage prostitution were all on the increase.

Jaramporn added that criminals were growing bolder as well with thieves often operating in broad daylight.

Malefactors rob people and steal cars in shopping malls without bothering to try and hide under the cover of darkness any longer, he said.

--The Nation 2005-08-31

[khall64au]

Economy, economy, economy!!! Well done Mr Thaksin

[The_Moog]

parents shower their children with money instead of care

Wish my parents would shower me with money.

[Khun Larry]

Economy, economy, economy!!! Well done Mr Thaksin 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The economy is on a roll which should minimize lowlife behavior not increase it.

Maybe Thais should share a little with their fellow Thais

[The_Eye_Of_Sauron]

The economy is on a roll

You reckon!

[newworks]

The economy is on a roll

You reckon!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

for what it`s worth, i lived in bangkok as an exchange student for 2 years back in the early 90`s, and i am getting ready to move back there next month for the first time in a long time, and from what i have seen recently in bangkok, things have changed a lot, both good and bad. the uni students are definitely different from when i was there before...

[The_Moog]

Thai youths was the result of hands-off parents who tended to give their children ample pocket money in lieu of real parental care and affection

I wonder if this guy has ever observed families outside of Nichada Thani estate with its 40m baht houses.

I daresay pocket money levels are flattish in the provinces.

[khall64au]

Economy, economy, economy!!! Well done Mr Thaksin 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The economy is on a roll which should minimize lowlife behavior not increase it.

Maybe Thais should share a little with their fellow Thais

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Phra Paisal argued that such hedonism among Thai youths was the result of hands-off parents who tended to give their children ample pocket money in lieu of real parental care and affection.

Oh really, Khun Larry? History repeats itself! Did you grow up in the West? Money equals freedom but enslaves us all and unfortunately families do suffer at the hands of an overzealous economy. How can one be a perfect parent when your job demands equal patriotism to your family responsibilties?

[Guest endure]

I'll bet they had seminars in AD43 that said exactly the same thing about the dissolute youth of the time.

[ray23]

I'll bet they had seminars in AD43 that said exactly the same thing about the dissolute youth of the time. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well I like the mini skirts, but I'm afraid the good Monk may be on the right track. even in Issan the non supervision of children even toddlers, not sure if that is the right phrase, 3 year olds and up are on the street of our complex at night playing, without an adult in sight. I don't know what that will do to the morals, but I do know it sure increases the danger of them being ran over.

[Galong]

I go jogging in Phuket Town all the time. there's a small university nearby. I get hit with insults, vulgarity and general rudeness.

This sort of thing didn't happen a few years ago. I've been here for close to 13 years and the attitude of teenagers has most definitely changed.

"Thais tend to be greedy, ill-tempered, deceitful and aggressive, said Buddhist thinker Phra Paisal Visalo of Chaiyaphum’s Wat Pa Sukhato."

Wow, Khun Phra hit the nail on the head with this statement. I think that the 'jai yen yen' mentality is either a myth or a thing of the past.

Thailand is starting to look more and more like the US of A... crap!

[usatrader]

When I read this, I was a tad skeptical, as to this being a wide spread social change. Though I had seen some rare examples of it, on rare occasion, in some Fahrang/Tourist dominated areas, which I mostly go out of my way to avoid especially the last 4 years or so.

Likewise, I have seen some small and few examples mainly at the Tourist centers at my home in Bangkok. But never, thus far, at my 2nd home there in the North outside Chiang Mai.

Has that changed in a little over a year?

I admit I have been away now for over a year, the longest in many years. However, I wonder if this social change has indeed begun especially after reading the below story in the BKK Post today?

CRIME OF PASSION / CLERICAL DISCORD

Novices' old rivalry over girl ends in bloody market brawl

Nakhon Ratchasima _ Ten novices and three monks engaged in a machete-wielding brawl on Monday sparked by an old rivalry over a girl.

Police are preparing to issue arrest warrants in the case on charges of bodily assault and carrying weapons in public.

Pol Capt Cheewin Kasikam, duty officer of Phimai district police station, said Wichai Khaophimai, 17, a novice at Wat Ban Sanun in tambon Tha Luang, went shopping on Monday at a district market.

While there he happened to meet Chamlong Ornsiri, 19, a novice at Wat Ban Taban in tambon Rangka Yai.

The two were old rivals. They had fallen for the same girl before being ordained.

Novice Chamlong, on seeing his rival, charged at him and hit him in the face.

Novice Wichai went back to Wat Sanun, where he gathered together three monks and another nine novices.

They then armed themselves with four machetes and went to Wat Ban Taban in a pick-up truck.

At Wat Ban Taban, they saw Novice Chamlong and Ekachai Jomputra, 17, another novice.

The group from Wat Sanun immediately attacked them.

Novice Ekachai was hit on the back with a machete and suffered a deep gash, Pol Capt Cheewin said.

Novice Ekachai lodged a complaint with police, who yesterday decided to arrest his alleged assailants and charge them with bodily assault and carrying weapons in public.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/31Aug2005_news03.php

Perplexed

[bob/nyc]

This is not a Thai problem. Morality has been going downhill all over the world, especially in the USA. Turn on the TV, and see what the networks are showing and what they think is good tv. For example, MTV's the real world is just shy of legal prime time porno. Look at the so-called entertainers (I hardly call them hollywood stars), and how they dress, act and behave. US kids and adults are copying them and I guess the Thai's don't want to be left out. The press (TV, newspapers, zines, etc) glorify convicts. I guess there is more interest in that than talking about volunteers helping the needy.

[Ijustwannateach]

Only in Thailand would a major news story about the morality of the nation commented on by some of the most important civilian, religious, and military authorities in the land be based on....

a *student poll* from one of the least academically credible universities in the land.

TIT, as they say.

"Steven"

[Rumpole]

Thais tend to be greedy, ill-tempered, deceitful and aggressive

It's all the fault of those farangs.

[NextStationBangkok]

Thais increasingly dissolute: experts

The monk cited findings by a recent ABAC poll that said a whopping 98 per cent of young Thais liked to cut class to go shopping; 60 per cent admitted to skipping classes for other reasons; and 45 per cent said they drank regularly.

--The Nation 2005-08-31

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It is like campaigning "Don’t Smoke" after producing cigarettes. One side government boosting local economy, and ask people to buy things and crying for economy is slowing down. Obliviously people are getting addicted to buy things which they don’t need. I have been using same shoes from 3 years, though there were sale up to 80% glittering my eyes. With my earning I can throw of every month and buy a new one easily, but it is unnecessary. Mobile phone is just need to talk to some one, but I can see students carrying latest phones cost more than 10000 Baht. I am sure it is expensive for a Thai parent. Children learn things from the Parents, then outside world. I feel the lesson should start first with parents to learn honest in their marital relationship, and dedication to the children. I don’t see anyone reading news papers and books seriously here. I travel in public bus everyday from many years though i can affort to have a car or use a taxi. Also I have never seen anyone reading a news paper in the bus to make the time useful. The society needs a cleanup.

[Heng]

Thai youths was the result of hands-off parents who tended to give their children ample pocket money in lieu of real parental care and affection

I wonder if this guy has ever observed families outside of Nichada Thani estate with its 40m baht houses.

Things are quite similar in the less well to do Tararom, Perfect Place, Noble, Arraya neighborhoods as well.

[Khun Larry]

Oh really, Khun Larry? History repeats itself!  Did you grow up in the West? Money equals freedom but enslaves us all and unfortunately families do suffer at the hands of an overzealous economy. How can one be a perfect parent when your job demands equal patriotism to your family responsibilties? 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not sure what you are talking about. Thais do not share the wealth with their fellow Thais. They are classless money hoards. A good economy does not benifit anyone but the rich. Real trash according to many NGO reports.

Comment?

[khall64au]

Oh really, Khun Larry? History repeats itself!  Did you grow up in the West? Money equals freedom but enslaves us all and unfortunately families do suffer at the hands of an overzealous economy. How can one be a perfect parent when your job demands equal patriotism to your family responsibilties? 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not sure what you are talking about. Thais do not share the wealth with their fellow Thais. They are classless money hoards. A good economy does not benifit anyone but the rich. Real trash according to many NGO reports.

Comment?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thai society has hit a nadir in immorality in which parents shower their children with money instead of care, thieves prey on people in broad daylight, and teens indulge in reckless hedonism.

Parents too busy working, feeding the economy instead of taking responsibilty for their children ?

[John K]

One of the biggest contributing problem is there is no incentive for students in school. They know the no fail policy, Simply that itself teaches young Thais the wrong lesson. That becomes a deep rooted mind set that appears to be the seed for many of the problems cited in the head entry of this thread. Its unfortunate but I think they know this, however for them to fix this a person at the top would lose face. Thus the erosion continues. Only when the loss of face for the present thinking overrides the loss of face for the original policy, will change occur. However by then it should be a very deep quagmire of problems.

[englishoak]

I've a feeling this problem is only going to get more pronounced as the years pass. You tell me one country where things are getting better in behavior or morals?

Easy to blame the parents and it is correct to say if you spoil the child it learns only to take.

Mabe the education system is flawed and the kids don't understand about real hard work & failure.

Mabe TV is to blame? The internet ? magazines etc. I'm sure the world is getting smaller and information on anything can be obtained at a click, this will only add fuel to the fire overall. A little knowledge can be dangerous but a lot can be fatal.

We are in unprecedented times and I believe this is an unstoppable direction that the whole world is moving in, not just Thailand. Mabe instead of trying to stop it it can be better guided, but if the eye in the sky is only bothered about itself, face and wealth what lesson do you think will be learnt?

It is obvious to me that as optomistic as I am we are not in gentle or moral times or are likely to be in the forseeable future. Then again were we ever?

[Khun Larry]

I've a feeling this problem is only going to get more pronounced as the years pass. You tell me one country where things are getting better in behavior or morals?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Agree with englishoak.

Morals vs capitalism. The forces are in a great battle.

Morality is what you want. Capitalism is what you get (like it or not).

[jrincon17]

The economy is on a roll

You reckon!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Better butter it then !

[WhiteShiva]

I've a feeling this problem is only going to get more pronounced as the years pass. You tell me one country where things are getting better in behavior or morals?

Easy to blame the parents and it is correct to say if you spoil the child it learns only to take.

Mabe the education system is flawed and the kids don't understand about real hard work & failure.

Mabe TV is to blame? The internet ? magazines etc. I'm sure the world is getting smaller and information on anything can be obtained at a click, this will only add fuel to the fire overall. A little knowledge can be dangerous but a lot can be fatal.

We are in unprecedented times and I believe this is an unstoppable direction that the whole world is moving in, not just Thailand. Mabe instead of trying to stop it it can be better guided, but if the eye in the sky is only bothered about itself, face and wealth what lesson do you think will be learnt?

It is obvious to me that as optomistic as I am we are not in gentle or moral times or are likely to be in the forseeable future. Then again were we ever?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

"The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs, and tyrannize their teachers.

Attributed to SOCRATES by Plato, according to William L. Patty and Louise S. Johnson, Personality and Adjustment, p. 277 (1953)."

Unprecedented, my ass......

[Scott]

Morality is always changing everywhere. It is a hard concept to define, but since it is always in a state of flux, it is viewed as getting worse.

I agree that there are problems in society here, but a better definition of what is a "problem" would make it more likely to be solvable.

[IMA_FARANG]

I'll bet they had seminars in AD43 that said exactly the same thing about the dissolute youth of the time. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I recall reading that an Egyptian tablet was found some time ago dating back to about 1500 B.C.

The translated text was a diatribe about how youngsters no longer repected the traditions of their elders.

It contained the line that, "Youngsters today no loner heed their elders. They spend all their time in chasing pleasures. They no longer follow religion."

So the same old song has been around quite a long time.

[OxfordWill]

Got a link for that info, IMA FARANG?

[britmaveric]

Well supppose all great civilizations - their downfall seems to be caused by vices and excess. Makes you wonder......

[plachon]

Well supppose all great civilizations - their downfall seems to be caused by vices and excess. Makes you wonder......

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Do you include the USA as a "great civilization"?

Everything I've read about the violence, looting and "Mad Max" scenes being played out since the terrible deluge hit New Orleans suggests to me that the USA is a rather fragile civilization since the Bush era began. Of course there is herosim and selfless duty going on as well, but the underlying fact is that law and order in the USA is a very thin veneer when the chips are down. Law of the jungle soon reasserts itself in a selfish society. This maybe slightly off-topic for the thread, but your posting Maveric, did make me wonder.............