It's Time Thais Took A Peek Over The Fence: Opinion

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STREET WISE

It's time Thais took a peek over the fence

Achara Deboonme

The Nation

For the local business community, the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC)'s annual conference last weekend was a big event, particularly in the wake of the floods, which have caused over Bt1.3 trillion in losses.

Virabongsa Ramangkura, head of a key government water-management committee, was there to assure businesspeople that preventive measures are being planned. But key figures at the TCC wanted more than that. They wanted the presence of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who opted instead to pay her respects to King Rama VII to mark Constitution Day. Her deputy, Yongyuth Wichaidit, who is also interior minister, was supposed to preside over the event; instead, he sent the ministry's permanent secretary, whose job has nothing to do with the business community. TCC vice chairman Pornsilp Patcharintanakul surprised reporters by blaming himself for the deputy premier's no-show. Earlier, he had expressed disappointment over Yingluck's decision not to join the annual conference, saying it was an unrivalled opportunity to restore confidence after the floods.

"Don't blame us if the economy slumps next year," he said.

Pornsilp may blame himself, but some business reporters blame Yingluck, accusing her of short-sightedness.

Yes, it is easy to point the finger at others, particularly when we are convinced that our agenda matters more than theirs. Sadly, this kind of thinking has stalled Thailand and it will continue to do so in the future.

The TCC annual conference took place a day after two major global events closed: the European Summit in Brussels and the climate change conference in South Africa.

At their fourth summit this year, 17 European countries agreed to a deal to save the euro. Few here paid attention, but Thais should hail the move, as it means the euro will stay. One expert said that Thailand would be spared major impacts if the euro were abandoned, given that the Kingdom has little exposure to the continent. But it is difficult to estimate the losses that would be caused by the disruption to global trade. If so, Thailand, with huge exposure to global trade, would be badly hit. This could claim more jobs than the flood disaster did, and the impact could linger for a longer period.

Likewise, few in Thailand paid attention to the conference on climate change, though, according to a survey, many Thais believe the great floods were a result of higher temperatures. The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia-Pacific (Escap) estimated that the floods that hit five Southeast Asian nations including Thailand have caused US$6.3 billion (Bt194.22 billion) worth of losses, or 0.9 per cent of their combined gross domestic product. Imagine flooding like this happening every year. Media coverage of the conference in Thailand was low, despite the massive impacts. It wouldn't be surprising if fewer than 100 Thais know that Thailand is now the world's 22nd biggest polluter.

Starting next year, Europe will charge all airlines for their carbon emissions. Thai Airways International is among the airlines to be affected; it will have to buy carbon credits to offset this. The cost is Bt500 million per year; money that could be saved and spent on other things. Meanwhile, the United States is prepared to impose a Border Carbon Adjustment tax on greenhouse gas-emitting products.

How many know that like its predecessor events, the climate conference once again failed to seal a deal? That means greenhouse-gas emissions in many countries will remain at their current level, regardless of the fact that human activity is the cause of the rise in global temperatures. According to the Earth Policy Institute, 2010 was the hottest year in history. Nineteen countries experienced record temperatures in the year, including Burma, where the temperature spiked to 47.2 degree Celsius at one point, the highest on record for Southeast Asia as a whole.

In summer, those who can afford air-conditioners will be all right. But what about the poor?

Most Thais remain so consumed with their own agenda that they are oblivious to what is going on around the world. How many know that in the eyes of global investors, Africa is now rising? It is not beyond our imagination that if we continue to pursue our own desires and remain ignorant of others' demands, soon Thailand will be in the dark days, similar to what Africa experienced decades ago. Keep in mind that it took Africa decades to rise again.

-- The Nation 2011-12-12

[nong38]

Yes they should look at the outside world to see what is going on and how it might affect Thailand, the Tv news shows only internal stories from what I see, the Thai papers seem to not take the outside world seriously either and they should. This is going to take a big mindset change but it has to be done, IMHO.

The Pol Pot regime is being tried for crimes against humanity, killing many of its own people, this happened next door in Cambodia and yet I see no reports about this, no one taklks about it, I wonder how many know what went on there.

[animatic]

Chronic navel gazing at the imagined perfection of a national self-image, that the uber-nationalism propagating school system beats into the collective brain as 'truth', is not the way to get on in the world.

No man is an island, and no country treads this world without symbiotic interaction with most others.

[Ianatlarge]

I agree that Thais should 'look over the fence', but Thais are certainly not the only group who need to do this. My feeling is that the western world is increasingly becoming inward looking. My feeling is that middle class Australia is totally obsessed with their own actions and deeds, and regard anything outside the Ikea catalogue as totally irrelevant.

[garrfeild]

The nations take on the Euro summit is naive if not down right ignorance. That summit did not sort out the current problems only talking about the future. Regrettably EU politicians have their head in the sand as much as Thai politicians. There is a long way to go before anyone can say the Euro will still be a valid currency in a year or so.

[garrfeild]

Yes they should look at the outside world to see what is going on and how it might affect Thailand, the Tv news shows only internal stories from what I see, the Thai papers seem to not take the outside world seriously either and they should. This is going to take a big mindset change but it has to be done, IMHO.

There's a very good reason for this. The main one is not to give Thai's ideas above their station. The main TV stations are owned by politicians, who use them for their own propaganda, and to control the populace.

[nong38]

Yes they should look at the outside world to see what is going on and how it might affect Thailand, the Tv news shows only internal stories from what I see, the Thai papers seem to not take the outside world seriously either and they should. This is going to take a big mindset change but it has to be done, IMHO.

There's a very good reason for this. The main one is not to give Thai's ideas above their station. The main TV stations are owned by politicians, who use them for their own propaganda, and to control the populace.

You are so right, lets hope one day the populace wake up and demand something different!

[renaissanc]

It isn't true that the government isn't looking at what's going on abroad. It has its attention focused on Dubai and on the international flight schedule of Thaksin the Innocent.

[Footloose1949]

I get the distinct impression that centuries of maybe self-imposed isolation, and definitely the fact that Thailand managed to evade being 'colonised' by some other nation, has a lot to do with why in some respects Thailand remains largely 'isolated' from the world around it. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as it has probably meant that Thailand's economy and banking systems have evaded the the attentions of those in international banking and investments, seeking to make a fast buck at everyone else's expense. True, the markets that Thailand export goods to, are now in a horrible mess, but if Thailand had been 'colonised', it could well now be in a much worse situation economically, than it is.

[hansnl]

I get the distinct impression that centuries of maybe self-imposed isolation, and definitely the fact that Thailand managed to evade being 'colonised' by some other nation, has a lot to do with why in some respects Thailand remains largely 'isolated' from the world around it. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as it has probably meant that Thailand's economy and banking systems have evaded the the attentions of those in international banking and investments, seeking to make a fast buck at everyone else's expense. True, the markets that Thailand export goods to, are now in a horrible mess, but if Thailand had been 'colonised', it could well now be in a much worse situation economically, than it is.

On the other hand, even China is feeling the negative influences of the US-induced financial troubles in the western world.

I guess, Thailand is already feeling the negative backlash by the shrinkage of number of the tourists coming to Thailand from the west AND from China.

Next point is the negative backlash of the shrinkage of export to the west, including the EU.

What will happen to the industry in Thailand because of the floods and the stupid promises of governmental figures, who knows.

It does not really make any difference if a country has been colonised in the past, however, the ability to look over the fence, the mental elasticity to adapt one's thinking, is really only there in coutries that were colonies, more or less.

And these are qualities not found in Thailand, generally speaking.

[yumidesign]

Chronic navel gazing at the imagined perfection of a national self-image, that the uber-nationalism propagating school system beats into the collective brain as 'truth', is not the way to get on in the world.

No man is an island, and no country treads this world without symbiotic interaction with most others.

as europe slides over the economic abyss those in power on the Thai island will get a nasty shock

[templedog]

PERFECTLY SAID....I AGREE.

Chronic navel gazing at the imagined perfection of a national self-image, that the uber-nationalism propagating school system beats into the collective brain as 'truth', is not the way to get on in the world.

No man is an island, and no country treads this world without symbiotic interaction with most others.

[Screws]

Yes they should look at the outside world to see what is going on and how it might affect Thailand, the Tv news shows only internal stories from what I see, the Thai papers seem to not take the outside world seriously either and they should. This is going to take a big mindset change but it has to be done, IMHO.

There's a very good reason for this. The main one is not to give Thai's ideas above their station. The main TV stations are owned by politicians, who use them for their own propaganda, and to control the populace.

You are so right, lets hope one day the populace wake up and demand something different!

I reckon that the average Thai kid watching average Thai television has a lower IQ after watching it than before. Yes, IQ goes down. But then it has just been shown that the average yank who gets their news from Faux is less well informed than someone who watches no news! Same same, but different.

[templedog]

ABSOLUTELY!!

Yes they should look at the outside world to see what is going on and how it might affect Thailand, the Tv news shows only internal stories from what I see, the Thai papers seem to not take the outside world seriously either and they should. This is going to take a big mindset change but it has to be done, IMHO.

There's a very good reason for this. The main one is not to give Thai's ideas above their station. The main TV stations are owned by politicians, who use them for their own propaganda, and to control the populace.

You are so right, lets hope one day the populace wake up and demand something different!

I reckon that the average Thai kid watching average Thai television has a lower IQ after watching it than before. Yes, IQ goes down. But then it has just been shown that the average yank who gets their news from Faux is less well informed than someone who watches no news! Same same, but different.

[templedog]

Yes they should look at the outside world to see what is going on and how it might affect Thailand, the Tv news shows only internal stories from what I see, the Thai papers seem to not take the outside world seriously either and they should. This is going to take a big mindset change but it has to be done, IMHO.

There's a very good reason for this. The main one is not to give Thai's ideas above their station. The main TV stations are owned by politicians, who use them for their own propaganda, and to control the populace.

You are so right, lets hope one day the populace wake up and demand something different!

I reckon that the average Thai kid watching average Thai television has a lower IQ after watching it than before. Yes, IQ goes down. But then it has just been shown that the average yank who gets their news from Faux is less well informed than someone who watches no news! Same same, but different.

One could also make the same case for the average Limey watching the BBC. Think about it.

[templedog]

Yes they should look at the outside world to see what is going on and how it might affect Thailand, the Tv news shows only internal stories from what I see, the Thai papers seem to not take the outside world seriously either and they should. This is going to take a big mindset change but it has to be done, IMHO.

There's a very good reason for this. The main one is not to give Thai's ideas above their station. The main TV stations are owned by politicians, who use them for their own propaganda, and to control the populace.

You are so right, lets hope one day the populace wake up and demand something different!

I reckon that the average Thai kid watching average Thai television has a lower IQ after watching it than before. Yes, IQ goes down. But then it has just been shown that the average yank who gets their news from Faux is less well informed than someone who watches no news! Same same, but different.

After all.....the owner of FAUX NEWS is a product of the British Empire. Good Ol' Rupert Douchebag Murdoch. I guess my point being that corporate news rules everywhere. No hate here for you!

[letitbe]

Yes they should look at the outside world to see what is going on and how it might affect Thailand, the Tv news shows only internal stories from what I see, the Thai papers seem to not take the outside world seriously either and they should. This is going to take a big mindset change but it has to be done, IMHO.

The Pol Pot regime is being tried for crimes against humanity, killing many of its own people, this happened next door in Cambodia and yet I see no reports about this, no one taklks about it, I wonder how many know what went on there.

i can tell you hardly any Thais know what went on in Cambodia Ive talked to hundreds educated uneducated degrees all ages and no one knows amazing but true

[cardholder]

I get the distinct impression that centuries of maybe self-imposed isolation, and definitely the fact that Thailand managed to evade being 'colonised' by some other nation, has a lot to do with why in some respects Thailand remains largely 'isolated' from the world around it. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as it has probably meant that Thailand's economy and banking systems have evaded the the attentions of those in international banking and investments, seeking to make a fast buck at everyone else's expense. True, the markets that Thailand export goods to, are now in a horrible mess, but if Thailand had been 'colonised', it could well now be in a much worse situation economically, than it is.

It had it's moments in the Asian financial crisis of 1997. I doubt many Asian countries were, fortunately, in a position to get sucked into the derivatives merry go round.

Economically, Thailand has probably been fortunate - I wonder what impact colonisation would have had culturally. Having never been told what to do, they can continue the status quo of doing what they want.

[Chris Lawrence]

Virabongsa Ramangkura was the person that needed to answer the questions on the flooding.

How did the Bangkok's committee reinforce the need to protect the city against flooding say from 2004? If the committee had teeth, they would have played a big role in this process.

Or is this just another committee to give status to the elite?

What the article doesn't say or comment on is the ability of this committee to be progressive or what their agenda was. What were they supporting?

Africa is a big place with a lot of countries, rich and poor! Thailand has a very progressive car industry that exports to all over the world.

Sadly, this article doesn't provide much information except to tie in the conservative right in bashing the Government.

I don't get the comments on others 'if Thailand was colonised, things may be different', maybe they could make better coffee if they had been colonised?

[cardholder]

I don't get the comments on others 'if Thailand was colonised, things may be different', maybe they could make better coffee if they had been colonised?

Maybe they would be able to do more than just look up their own rectum.

[davehowden]

I get the distinct impression that centuries of maybe self-imposed isolation, and definitely the fact that Thailand managed to evade being 'colonised' by some other nation, has a lot to do with why in some respects Thailand remains largely 'isolated' from the world around it. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as it has probably meant that Thailand's economy and banking systems have evaded the the attentions of those in international banking and investments, seeking to make a fast buck at everyone else's expense. True, the markets that Thailand export goods to, are now in a horrible mess, but if Thailand had been 'colonised', it could well now be in a much worse situation economically, than it is.

You mean like Canada, Australia, Malaysia or Singapore ?

[ronz28]

Its not just Fox... Murdoch's pushing his agenda world wide in both the national and local medias. Here is a short list of most of the media he controls

http://en.wikipedia....ews_Corporation

US Federal Communications Commission used to ensure equal time for different political parties, etc. in US but now even many local stations have been bought by Murdoch and they now spew out his right wing close to Facist totally biased propaganda 24/7. He and his buddies have a master plan for the world that he needs to brainwash people with.

[Bagwan]

The nations take on the Euro summit is naive if not down right ignorance. That summit did not sort out the current problems only talking about the future. Regrettably EU politicians have their head in the sand as much as Thai politicians. There is a long way to go before anyone can say the Euro will still be a valid currency in a year or so.

Not only do EU politicians have their heads in the sand, they also have their snouts in the trough. EU, the graveyard of failed politicians and the biggest gravy train ever.

My Thai family have been made fully aware that if they find themselves in Sh*t Street through borrowing or lending money then I will not raise a finger to help them. Why can't nations take the same view? Do I, should I, give a fig if Greece is bankrupt? The financial wounds of many countries have been over many years self inflicted. If those responsible had read Charles Dickens they might have avoided the consequences of living in hairy fairyland for years on borrowed money.

[Bagwan]

I get the distinct impression that centuries of maybe self-imposed isolation, and definitely the fact that Thailand managed to evade being 'colonised' by some other nation, has a lot to do with why in some respects Thailand remains largely 'isolated' from the world around it. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as it has probably meant that Thailand's economy and banking systems have evaded the the attentions of those in international banking and investments, seeking to make a fast buck at everyone else's expense. True, the markets that Thailand export goods to, are now in a horrible mess, but if Thailand had been 'colonised', it could well now be in a much worse situation economically, than it is.

I'd be very interested in reading your views on Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and how colonisation hampered their drive to prosperity - and even India is now showing signs of joining the real world. Maybe the corruption of the archaic Thai banking system keeps foreign investment away.

Thailand was never colonised mainly because there was nothing here worth having - except a very large percentage of the ladies of course.

Thailand should take a peek over the fence. For years they have been taking a pee over it.

[garrfeild]

I reckon that the average Thai kid watching average Thai television has a lower IQ after watching it than before. Yes, IQ goes down. But then it has just been shown that the average yank who gets their news from Faux is less well informed than someone who watches no news! Same same, but different.

One could also make the same case for the average Limey watching the BBC. Think about it.

OK I have thought about it, I think your wrong. Fox fabricate the news to their own design, The BBC while not necessarily biased doesn't try to fabricate the news.

[garrfeild]

I get the distinct impression that centuries of maybe self-imposed isolation, and definitely the fact that Thailand managed to evade being 'colonised' by some other nation, has a lot to do with why in some respects Thailand remains largely 'isolated' from the world around it. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as it has probably meant that Thailand's economy and banking systems have evaded the the attentions of those in international banking and investments, seeking to make a fast buck at everyone else's expense. True, the markets that Thailand export goods to, are now in a horrible mess, but if Thailand had been 'colonised', it could well now be in a much worse situation economically, than it is.

I'd be very interested in reading your views on Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and how colonisation hampered their drive to prosperity - and even India is now showing signs of joining the real world. Maybe the corruption of the archaic Thai banking system keeps foreign investment away.

Thailand was never colonised mainly because there was nothing here worth having - except a very large percentage of the ladies of course.

Thailand should take a peek over the fence. For years they have been taking a pee over it.

You should take a road trip across Thailand, Judging by the number of guys I see stopped on the sides of roads taking a P, and the corrupt politicians greed . I would suggest they have no problem P-ing on their own doorstep.

[freebyrd]

I get the distinct impression that centuries of maybe self-imposed isolation, and definitely the fact that Thailand managed to evade being 'colonised' by some other nation, has a lot to do with why in some respects Thailand remains largely 'isolated' from the world around it. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as it has probably meant that Thailand's economy and banking systems have evaded the the attentions of those in international banking and investments, seeking to make a fast buck at everyone else's expense. True, the markets that Thailand export goods to, are now in a horrible mess, but if Thailand had been 'colonised', it could well now be in a much worse situation economically, than it is.

I'd be very interested in reading your views on Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and how colonisation hampered their drive to prosperity - and even India is now showing signs of joining the real world. Maybe the corruption of the archaic Thai banking system keeps foreign investment away.

Thailand was never colonised mainly because there was nothing here worth having - except a very large percentage of the ladies of course.

Thailand should take a peek over the fence. For years they have been taking a pee over it.

The truth is Thailand was never colonised because the British were advancing from the west and the French from the east. They got their heads together and decided to leave Thailand as a buffer zone between the two. In my early days in TL, I listened to all the stories of great Kings keeping the farang at bay, however when you read up on the subject, you discover that in fact a good deal of Thai soil was ceded to the French to placate them and stop them stomping all over Muang Thai. Of course, most Thais will never accept this fact.

As an afterthought, Malaysia, Singap[ore and Hong Kong have infinitely better drainage systems courtesy of us colonising British. At least we left something useful behind!:jap:

[Roj]

I get the distinct impression that centuries of maybe self-imposed isolation, and definitely the fact that Thailand managed to evade being 'colonised' by some other nation, has a lot to do with why in some respects Thailand remains largely 'isolated' from the world around it. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as it has probably meant that Thailand's economy and banking systems have evaded the the attentions of those in international banking and investments, seeking to make a fast buck at everyone else's expense. True, the markets that Thailand export goods to, are now in a horrible mess, but if Thailand had been 'colonised', it could well now be in a much worse situation economically, than it is.

I'd be very interested in reading your views on Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and how colonisation hampered their drive to prosperity - and even India is now showing signs of joining the real world. Maybe the corruption of the archaic Thai banking system keeps foreign investment away.

Thailand was never colonised mainly because there was nothing here worth having - except a very large percentage of the ladies of course.

Thailand should take a peek over the fence. For years they have been taking a pee over it.

Add Brasil to that list. Another former colony doing rather well for itself. Although Thailand was never colonised, to save themselves they did sign an accord with the Japanese that allowed the Japanese army to travel through the country to attack the allies in WW2. The Japanese stayed put to the end and Bangkok was heavily bombed by the allies for its troubles. Isolationism and protectionism will eventually turn against Thailand. Thai goods are cheap because of low labour costs but quality still isn`t up to European or Japanese standards. Pay peanuts and you know what you get.

,st bbut

[Oberkommando]

Thai Airways International is among the airlines to be affected; it will have to buy carbon credits to offset this. The cost is Bt500 million per year; money that could be saved and spent on other things.

They can add that half a billion to their B5 Billion loss last year.

and definitely the fact that Thailand managed to evade being 'colonised' by some other nation

Thailand didn't manage anything. Britain's interests in the region prevented Thailand from becoming a French colony.