Are The Poor, Less Educated, Pulling Us Down?

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

Are the poor, less educated, pulling us down?

By Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

How sound is the dominant belief amongst educated and wealthy Thais that poor and less educated folks are essentially stupid, corrupt, violence and a drag on national progress?

Answer: more of a myth, or at best, half the picture of today's Thailand.

Some cling to these self-perpetuating beliefs in order to justify rule by the few, others use it to support ideas like Thailand need to do away with the notion of universal suffrage.

Are poor and less-educated people necessarily stupid?

While they are less formally educated, poor people learn from life's experiences. Call it life's education, many poor people exhibit the ability in understanding real politik. Many, who are red shirts, see Thaksin Shinawatra not as a man of virtue but a politician who delivers, despite all his ethical shortcomings. On the contrary, many of the so-called educated middle class and elites long for virtuous rulers although it's most unlikely not to be found in any mortal person.

Are poor and less-educated people more corrupt?

Yes, the vote selling. But who does the vote buying anyhow? And who are the bigger cheaters: the big politicians found of virtually all parties, the corporate fat cats 'committed' to handing tea money and kick backs, bureaucratic bosses too ready to accept bribe, and the invisible hand/s who cannot really be made accountable?

It is foolish to think a section of the populace has a monopoly on corruptibility.

Are poor and less-educated Thais more violence prone?

Reds burning down Bangkok last May comes to many people's mind though the court verdict has yet to be handed down. But think about structural violence. The system which ensures that most poor remains poor and less educated through systematic exploitation and suppression is very violent. Structural violence is much less visible, like most people not knowing that they engage in daily slaughtering when they eat meats, fish and so on whom the slaughter house have conveniently done the dirty job for them.

Lack of equal access to quality education, legal assistance, even political rights themselves is part of structural violence. Yes, there's social mobility, but very few manage to climb up and even less manage to look back and care for the millions others who didn't make it.

Are poor and less educated people a drag to national progress?

Yes, if they are prevented from maximizing their potential and contributing to society. This leads us to the question of whether people on top who suppress and exploit majority of the people from developing their potentials are in fact the main drag to national progress or not?

Can Thai society really progress when its populace is fed with daily propaganda detrimental to the use of rational facility? Are the elite and middle class who suppress political voices of the majority of the people through supporting military coup not a drag to national progress?

All this doesn't mean poor and less educated folks are always right simply because they are poor or less educated, however. But when majority of Thai people are prevented from contributing, it's rather like society where majority are prevented from swimming. The whole society may just simply drown one day because the few by themselves cannot keep the society afloat forever.

-- The Nation 2011-08-24

[endure]

Is this another Google translation? It doesn't make much sense otherwise...

[Gumbo]

Is this another Google translation? It doesn't make much sense otherwise...

I agree, worst piece I have read in many years and the only way to raise it above total trash status would be to prove that poor <> educated. Good luck with that!!

[prighas]

This very much depends on how you define 'National Progress'. With the way the economy is heading globally, I'd prefer stagnation.

[REM]

I think this was written by a poor, uneducated person!!!!! The truth is, there are corrupt and violent people in every caste of life. But if people don't have any education, whether formal or not, to fall back on, they will resort to violence. Why do you think the third world is more violent that the first world? Now, it is not the educated who don't have jobs or contribute to society, for the majority, it is the uneducated who do nothing to contribute. As for rich or poor, I think there are many rich people who do nothing good, as well as many poor people who do nothing good. You can't elevate a person on the bank account, but you can, in my opinion, elevate them on their education combined with their experience.

What's pulling us down isn't the rich or poor, it is the ignorant and those unwilling to work for progress and give others a chance to prove themselves, a trait all too engrained in Thai society. If people here could work together for the benefit of everyone, share some wealth, they can make some money themselves, and watch society improve at the same time.

Edited August 24, 2011 by REM

[OzMick]

Strawman argument - the poor and uneducated are stupid.

Uneducated, ill- and mis-informed people make "stupid' decisions. It doesn't mean that the people are stupid, just that they require a better education system, and a much better access to multiple sources of truthful and accurate news and commentary.

The big point being that nothing will improve under this government. The Treasury cupboard will be bare after fulfilling (??) populist promises, and the tablet plan is to be funded form the pool set up for free uniforms and text books, making it more expensive to keep a child in school. when something is working well, why do you change it?

[toybits]

Pravit Rojanaphruk sounds uneducated to me.

[ginjag]

I think this was written by a poor, uneducated person!!!!! The truth is, there are corrupt and violent people in every caste of life. But if people don't have any education, whether formal or not, to fall back on, they will resort to violence. Why do you think the third world is more violent that the first world? Now, it is not the educated who don't have jobs or contribute to society, for the majority, it is the uneducated who do nothing to contribute. As for rich or poor, I think there are many rich people who do nothing good, as well as many poor people who do nothing good. You can't elevate a person on the bank account, but you can, in my opinion, elevate them on their education combined with their experience.

What's pulling us down isn't the rich or poor, it is the ignorant and those unwilling to work for progress and give others a chance to prove themselves, a trait all too engrained in Thai society. If people here could work together for the benefit of everyone, share some wealth, they can make some money themselves, and watch society improve at the same time.

Who's fault is it if the vast majority are not educated properly ????? 1 guess

Corruption on a mega scale is pulling "US" down.

Who are the biggest corrupt people ??? Majority of Thai's, ?? I would think elected local government No 1 ...................Police, No 2..................Big business tycoons, No 3.......................M.Ps High ranking government officials No 4. + others. Most of the population given the chance will grab what they can, from who is immaterial as they tend to live from day to day, and tomorrow is a new life.

There are many exceptions to the rule though, and these people are what I call the true Thai, that are willing to work-pay their way in life, these are the people who made me welcome 30 years ago, but the same people are now more difficult to come across. It's getting to be like =smash and grab time.

[Bakseedaa]

I think this was written by a poor, uneducated person!!!!! The truth is, there are corrupt and violent people in every caste of life. But if people don't have any education, whether formal or not, to fall back on, they will resort to violence. Why do you think the third world is more violent that the first world? Now, it is not the educated who don't have jobs or contribute to society, for the majority, it is the uneducated who do nothing to contribute. As for rich or poor, I think there are many rich people who do nothing good, as well as many poor people who do nothing good. You can't elevate a person on the bank account, but you can, in my opinion, elevate them on their education combined with their experience.

What's pulling us down isn't the rich or poor, it is the ignorant and those unwilling to work for progress and give others a chance to prove themselves, a trait all too engrained in Thai society. If people here could work together for the benefit of everyone, share some wealth, they can make some money themselves, and watch society improve at the same time.

People here will Never work together, this is not some type of Mormon society, but a country riddled with greed and corruption, and jealousy...Oh, and anything to save face.. Just a great place to be... Only the strong and smart survive..!

[Crushdepth]

I'm starting to think crappy journalism is a drag on national progress. What a horrible article.

Edited August 24, 2011 by Crushdepth

[hammered]

The constant denial of opportunity to the poor by those with power for too long is the problem.

[Crushdepth]

The constant denial of opportunity to the poor by those with power for too long is the problem.

IMHO the root problem is that governance in Thailand is totally up the creek. Fix that and the rest will follow, but those in power prefer it broken.

[virtualtraveller]

Regardless of the poorly argued article it's a topic that no doubt will elicit a long thread here, and it's not just Thailand but something sociologists the world over have studied in depth for decades. Lots has been said already about the things the 'have nots' don't have, and there is a lot of sympathy towards them and an assumption its all the fault of the elite.

First, most of the haves in this country are middle class who came from a working class background. They work hard, make the right decisions in life, pay their taxes, try not to be corrupt if they can, and are the citizens this country should strive for. If eventually most of Thailand's voters are from this group our democratic values would be greatly strengthened. They can be guilty of not standing up enough to the manipulation by the elite, which is like blaming all white South Africans for conveniently going along with Apartheid, even if they weren't racist.

Second, it's all relative, the poor here are rich by Asian standards but relatively poor compared to those who have gotten ahead in the last 30 years. Truth be told, in every country there is lower rungs of society who fall well below the mark of model citizens, people who will always sell their vote, burn down buildings when dissatisfied, believe nationalistic or revolutionary BS fed to them, too lazy to make informed decisions, unable to raise their kids to be responsible and prospering parents themselves (viz teenage pregnancies), fall for the cheap lure of handouts, allow themselves to be exploited for temporary gain, sit around idly when there is no paid work, and so on. And crucially, every single one of them has an equal say in choosing something as important as a parliament.

In Thailand, the latter makes up a portion of the majority.

But, particular to this country, is the fact that fundamentally there is a lack of judgment on an individual level towards the importance of ethics. This is a society thing, unique to each nation, here in Thailand it's combining with several other factors, political, constitutionally, economically to create a perfect storm of a crisis. As always the poor are undoubtably in need of the biggest legup from change but don't get it, since they are manipulated by insincere politicians cleverer than them, and ultimately they end up just as poor and disadvantaged as before.

[Samuian]

Obviously being used to drag the cart for the "team" and provide the legal ticket for being an "legally and democratically elected" gvernment... we'll see, they (he) won't stop at anything... ther is so much to harvest here.

Edited August 24, 2011 by Samuian

[tink2mutt]

I'm starting to think crappy journalism is a drag on national progress. What a horrible article.

I couldn't agree more - a foolishly written article and nonsense journalism.

In relation to poor people in Thailand, while I acknowledge that there are certainly poor people, the level of poverty is moderate IMO. When you look at the Phillippines or Bangladesh for example then you start to see real poverty.

I don't consider farmers who can eek out a living in the rice paddy as poor by other poverty standards around the world. And these poeple are certainly not dragging Thailand down.

[ozzieovaseas]

So,Am i reading this right??..

The poor, (those who put food on the table and contribute to Thai exports, helping those that are rich stay rich)

AND those who do menial jobs (such as the construction of investment buildings FOR the rich, at very poor pay, helping the rich stay rich)

It is these people who are stupid and corrupt and holding the country back !!??

Dear oh dear who writes this ****?

[hammered]

So,Am i reading this right??..

The poor, (those who put food on the table and contribute to Thai exports, helping those that are rich stay rich)

AND those who do menial jobs (such as the construction of investment buildings FOR the rich, at very poor pay, helping the rich stay rich)

It is these people who are stupid and corrupt and holding the country back !!??

Dear oh dear who writes this ****?

I think the writer is trying to ridicule the idea that it is the poor holding the country back. Shortly after the last election there was a surge of "stupid poor people dont understand anything and vote for bad people" comments all over facebook and in conversation in "polite" circles. I think Pravit who has always been sympathetic to the red cause is pointing out the obvious problems with that silly notion. He may not have penned it so brilliantly however

[aaacorp]

Dunno if this statement is true for wealthy thai but for sure it's the thoughts of majority of expats on thaivisa forums

[Crushdepth]

Dunno if this statement is true for wealthy thai but for sure it's the thoughts of majority of expats on thaivisa forums

I've met a few expats that think this way, but they were a clear minority.