This Government Does Our Children No Favours: Thai Opinion

[Jerrytheyoung]

I do believe that in the Civilised world, progressively the notion og General Interst is prevailing. It is an endless long battle with some ups and downs. But we progress... On the international scene Corruption is loosing progressively ground, Money laundering is more and more difficult.

Yes nowhere it is perfect but on the International scene we are slowly heading in the Good Direction.

History has shown "State men (and women)" able to put the General interest ahead of his personal affairs, and a culture of the "General interest" is progressively implemented in most Countries.

The notion of General Interest has to be taught in the schools from day one, and it should supersede "family interests". Selection of Administration officers, their training should emphasised this point. But yes it is a cultural point as "Family"is the focus of Asian thinking. However it evolves:

I spend my time between Malaysia and Thailand, and if in Malaysia, it is not perfect, at least Politicians and Administration demonstrate everyday their concern on the General welfare of the population.

In 2002, when I arrived in South East Asia, Thailand and Malaysia were neck to neck; wooden houses, infrastructure, education system underdevelopped....

Today most of Malaysians are living in a modern concrete house because decent housing "for all" has been a preoccupation of successive Governments, the malaysian road infrastructure is great compared to Thailand (I use to drive regularly from KL to North East Issan) and the railways are developping at a fast past path. Malaysian Police is highly respected; try to bribe a Malaysian policeman: your chances are high to be jailed immediately.

Education has been the priority of the Malaysian Government and currently Universities of Good standard are mushrooming. Malaysian Government does know that it is the key for the Country development: nothing is neglected on this side.

But even if corruption is still rampant, at least the General Orientation is to take care of the population...

Another point is that there is no "Xenophobia"and on contrary an open minded attitude in order to absorb the best of all experiences....

Malaysia tries to attract the educated people who can help for progressing: visa piloicy, Malaysia second home program....Such a difference with the stubborn attitude of the thai Middle Class....

[Reasonableman]

Are you suggesting the Thai middle class bears the main responsibility for the country's failings? In Thailand, criticism is normally aimed at the "elites". Perhaps it is a more general culture of self-interest or family interest rather than interest in the welfare of the whole population. The comparison between Malaysian culture and Thai culture opens up an interesting thesis. I'm not sure I agree responsibility falls on any one class however.

[Jerrytheyoung]

Are you suggesting the Thai middle class bears the main responsibility for the country's failings? In Thailand, criticism is normally aimed at the "elites". Perhaps it is a more general culture of self-interest or family interest rather than interest in the welfare of the whole population. The comparison between Malaysian culture and Thai culture opens up an interesting thesis. I'm not sure I agree responsibility falls on any one class however.

I think that in the "Elite", most have done their studies abroad and so, I have met few people more open minded than their followers, bangkokian business men, Administration officers, militaries afraid by the competition and willing to keep their privileges and their power on the lower class.

It is from the Elite, (because it has happened often in History of other Countries), that one State men may pop up one day and put back on track this wonderful Country which is Thailand.

[sirchai]

Education was not exactly Thaksin's favourite political tool.

It wasn't human rights either.

Being very familiar with the "educational system" for more than seven years, I'm wondering how they'll change their attitude regarding students, the whole system and the "nobody fails policy."

I see my son going to M.1 now and his English is better than his English teacher's. My relatives in the village are starving, there's not enough money for anything that should be available. Red shirt supporters are buying their votes and too many people are addicted to "white whiskey", also called Lao Khao.

I'v got some kids in my classrooms with huge mental problems, but they'll all pass. I do not see any changes in road safety, rich people from China are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer.

I can see weird motorcycle accidents on weekly basis and I don't stop to help, as I know it would be my fault that I'd caused the accident. It's scary when people close both eyes and act like they wouldn't see what's around them.

My Thai colleagues ,who think they come right after Buddha, the government that's trying to purchase tablets for little kids who can't even read or write their own language. Haven't met a teacher at our school who could use the "high tech" BS from China.

The inability of teachers to realize that there are a few more countries on this planet beside Thailand.

Teachers using foreigners to win competitions to use it for their own wallet. More and more disabled people, beggars in front of 7/11s.

Foreigners writing the thesis for Thai English teachers to obtain a Master degree in English, a box of donuts must be enough to say thank you. When will it change? i don't see much light at the end of the tunnel...

Edited March 4, 2012 by sirchai

[Reasonableman]

Travel really does broaden the mind. It allows us to see that what we are accustomed to is not all there is. Different societies, cultures, attitudes, lifestyles, values, priorities. As more Thais travel and become better informed (educated), there is an increased potential for the emergence of a real leader, who leads by broad understanding and high moral stature. If you scan the political scene right now, does anyone meet these criteria? Thailand needs people with a social conscience who are truly altruistic and not stuck in the rut of old and failed dogma, and blinkered self-interest. Perhaps class is far less important.

Edited March 4, 2012 by Reasonableman

[chrisinth]

The problem is the education system itself and the corruption and mis management of funds. This is i believe (no figures to show) the third largest sector of corruption in this country, and as has been proven over the last few decades it doesn't matter which government is in charge. This to me is one of the worst abuses to minors i can think off (without sexual involvement) as it is depriving them off what they are entitled to.

Address the issues of corruption and mis management and see how much money appears. It should not be that difficult to compare the amount comes from state to that being spent.

But who has a pair big enough to address this? Get the right person/committee into place and give them free reign.

[hyperdimension]

Real change will only come from strident organized revolt at the grassroots level, but I'm afraid such a scenario seems very unlikely for myriad reasons, at least within our lifetimes. . .

Many people seem to think the Red Shirt movement is an "organized revolt at the grassroots level". How misled they are.

[sparebox2]

Real change will only come from strident organized revolt at the grassroots level, but I'm afraid such a scenario seems very unlikely for myriad reasons, at least within our lifetimes. . .

Many people seem to think the Red Shirt movement is an "organized revolt at the grassroots level". How misled they are.

We should keep the grassroots level at that level. Else who would be the servants/driver/cleaners/cooks/gardenders/factory labours for the rich? Burmese?

[ginjag]

Thai education, nothing wrong ?? what is wrong with knowing the compass points, highest mountains/rivers/geography is not taught. what is wrong with knowing what 6x16 answer, without calculators, 24 hour clock, students are unaware, am-pm.

Everyday English, rather than nouns-adjectives-verbs---give them basics first. Less playtime on volley ball courts during school time, Use corruption money to provide a swimming pool in every town/High school. Stop teachers in school time having meetings-thus classes without staff. Too much talk on high tech stuff, when basic is needed first. I have helped in schools without teaching experience, and still have to correct teachers, who have had years teacher training, nothing wrong ???

[ratcatcher]

Real change will only come from strident organized revolt at the grassroots level, but I'm afraid such a scenario seems very unlikely for myriad reasons, at least within our lifetimes. . .

Many people seem to think the Red Shirt movement is an "organized revolt at the grassroots level". How misled they are.

We should keep the grassroots level at that level. Else who would be the servants/driver/cleaners/cooks/gardenders/factory labours for the rich? Burmese?

It may not be too many years when poor Thais are heading for Burma to work if and when their economy comes on line with the new investments going in. Just a thought.