The 'Knowledge' That We Learn From Thai Talk Shows

[webfact]

STREET WISE

The 'knowledge' that we learn from talk shows

Achara Deboonme

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- It was just about two decades ago that talk shows were introduced to Thai TV audience. Two decades on, audience has been treated with informative/fun stuff and, as lately witnessed, some dirty talks that carry nonsense messages and benefit nobody.

Twilight Show could be the first of its kind. At the time when personal information on public figures could be found only in magazines or newspapers, veteran host … brought the figures into his show. It was a big hit, encouraging the introduction of many talk show programmes.

From entertainment, the talk shows have focused more on serious stuff like economic or political issues. From straight news programmes, TV channels can't afford not to have special programmes that feature the other side of straight news.

Among those news talk show programmes, Sorrayuth Suthasanachinda's on Channel 3 are probably the most popular - judged by the frequent reference in daily conversations and sound from your neighbours' TV sets.

Foreigners in Thailand may be taken aback if watching his programmes. If Thai language sounds foreign to them, fascinating them more would be the host's dressing style - the knee-length shorts and T-shirt, something that no hosts in established TV stations would don. He started wearing that for weekend programmes, but since field trips during the floods, they become his permanent style. Indeed, Sorrayuth was successful in making people feel at home when they tune to his programmes. Even though some of the stuff he talks about concern politics, audiences are convinced that they are listening to some kinds of gossips from a friend in shorts and T-shirt.

His programmes are totally different from "Public Stage", a talk show programme by Thai PBS. There are no celebrity guests here, but some academics, government officials, and villagers who are voicing their grievances and suggestions to their problems. Recorded outdoor, the programme features hosts dressed formally enough not to fend off audience but not too formal when compared to guests'.

In the era of burgeoning growth of satellite TV channels, talk shows fill up a large slot of time. Thanks to ASTV which was tremendously popular, most of the talk shows now focus on politics. In the society where forms come before substance, it is easier to find people who can talk about politics than those who are to divulge information on economic stuff. Economic gurus are mostly too busy to become regular guests, given extensive time they have to monitor global movements. But in politics, there is no right or wrong. No verified facts are required if you start with something like "I don't know… Personally, I think… or Could it have been …"

If I'm not mistaken, the most famous (or notorious) satellite TV talk show now should be "Sai Lor Fa" (Lightening rod) on Blue Sky TV. Hosted by three politicians from Democrat Party led by formerly-dubbed-rising-star Sirichok Sopha, the programme caught public attention with the focus on a secret meeting of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra with a businessman. Yes, speculation on the purpose of the meeting at Four Seasons Hotel was thoroughly discussed. Sansiri President Srettha Thavisin was forced to reveal later that it was a meeting with some businessmen, not just him. (Indeed, this serves as a good lesson for Yingluck's advisors; as a public figure, she is forbidden to join a secret meeting particularly at a hotel.)

It's not surprising why Yingluck's voice was shaking, during an address to female workers on Saturday. She was wise enough not to counter-attack the silly scandal. Instead, she said all should not tolerate all kinds of discrimination, against race, birth place or gender.

Like what veteran female politician Sudarat Keyuraphan said before Yingluck took office, female politicians have to work harder than male counterparts. They have to prove that they can be as efficient as men, and in men-dominated Thai society females are prone to sexual scandals.

While Sudarat herself had been involved with some, this is the first for Yingluck. And she should expect more, as nonsense talks like this are easy subjects for media, particularly to many talk-show hosts. And that’s some of the knowledge we can expect from some talk shows.

-- The Nation 2012-02-20

[Reasonableman]

These shows both lead and reflect currents of concern among the populace. They do not exist in a vacuum. The Thai people seem generally reticent to voice their own opinions openly, so perhaps these shows, of hugely varying quality, give them some outlet for their frustrations.

Edited February 19, 2012 by Reasonableman

[Zpete]

These shows both lead and reflect currents of concern among the populace. They do not exist in a vacuum. The Thai people seem generally reticent to voice their own opinions openly, so perhaps these shows, of hugely varying quality, give them some outlet for their frustrations.

I agree, possibly they may open up and, advance, voice their opinions more..

Something that is needed,

Thais are too much like lemmings.

[Unkomoncents]

I agree with previous posters but it must be acknowledged that culture (specifically FACE), dominates everything. Knowledge is ultimately meaningless when reputation is THE single-most important aspect of everyday life.

[Reasonableman]

A good reputation has to be earned through consistent performance and trust, not bought with the use of amoral, wind-up "perception managers".

[Nisa]

I find Talk Shows to be dangerous to many people in the population. It is kind of like that mentality people use to have that if they read something in a book, it must be true. These talk show hosts that talk about news and current events should all be dressed like clowns to remind people they are nothing but clowns expressing their opinions and views often based on, at best, partial facts of real news. They are no different that they folks sitting outside the local 7/11 after midnight discussing politics but people actually believe what they hear because they either think it is real news or simply because it is coming from people on TV.

The only US news I get on my cable in Bangkok is FoxNews and they have got this down to a science in terms of coming off as a 24-hour news channel where 90% of their content is actually biased opinion pieces based on either completely false facts or partial facts. I don't think FoxNews even has any reporters at all out in the field ... they just pick up news from other sources and edit the info to reflect their agenda and then comment on it all day.

But being that Fox is the number 1 cable news outlet, how can you blame other for wanting copy this type of format of making big money promoting your own personal agenda.

[Reasonableman]

I find Talk Shows to be dangerous to many people in the population. It is kind of like that mentality people use to have that if they read something in a book, it must be true. These talk show hosts that talk about news and current events should all be dressed like clowns to remind people they are nothing but clowns expressing their opinions and views often based on, at best, partial facts of real news. They are no different that they folks sitting outside the local 7/11 after midnight discussing politics but people actually believe what they hear because they either think it is real news or simply because it is coming from people on TV.

The only US news I get on my cable in Bangkok is FoxNews and they have got this down to a science in terms of coming off as a 24-hour news channel where 90% of their content is actually biased opinion pieces based on either completely false facts or partial facts. I don't think FoxNews even has any reporters at all out in the field ... they just pick up news from other sources and edit the info to reflect their agenda and then comment on it all day.

But being that Fox is the number 1 cable news outlet, how can you blame other for wanting copy this type of format of making big money promoting your own personal agenda.

In earlier days, news agencies prided themselves on their ability to remain objective. However, times change. Standards have dropped, the media are highly commercialized, popularized to the lowest and least expensive common denominator (game shows, FGS), and highly politicized. BBC News, CNN, The Nation--in fact probably all the news media (TV, radio, print, etc.) contribute to the propaganda array of multiple "causes" or "agendas", be they national, personal, political, religious, cultural, racial, or whatever. Yes, it is often difficult to know what to believe and what is tripe, what filters to use to minimize bias, and how to conduct your own critical analysis. That is why education is so important.

[Nisa]

I find Talk Shows to be dangerous to many people in the population. It is kind of like that mentality people use to have that if they read something in a book, it must be true. These talk show hosts that talk about news and current events should all be dressed like clowns to remind people they are nothing but clowns expressing their opinions and views often based on, at best, partial facts of real news. They are no different that they folks sitting outside the local 7/11 after midnight discussing politics but people actually believe what they hear because they either think it is real news or simply because it is coming from people on TV.

The only US news I get on my cable in Bangkok is FoxNews and they have got this down to a science in terms of coming off as a 24-hour news channel where 90% of their content is actually biased opinion pieces based on either completely false facts or partial facts. I don't think FoxNews even has any reporters at all out in the field ... they just pick up news from other sources and edit the info to reflect their agenda and then comment on it all day.

But being that Fox is the number 1 cable news outlet, how can you blame other for wanting copy this type of format of making big money promoting your own personal agenda.

In earlier days, news agencies prided themselves on their ability to remain objective. However, times change. Standards have dropped, the media are highly commercialized, popularized to the lowest and least expensive common denominator (game shows, FGS), and highly politicized. BBC News, CNN, The Nation--in fact probably all the news media (TV, radio, print, etc.) contribute to the propaganda array of multiple "causes" or "agendas", be they national, personal, political, religious, cultural, racial, or whatever. Yes, it is often difficult to know what to believe and what is tripe, what filters to use to minimize bias, and how to conduct your own critical analysis. That is why education is so important.

Not being a Thai speaker, I can't comment on all the news/talk shows shows but I do know here, like the US, there is politically slanted stations. In fact, here they are more blatant such as have a Red Channel and a Yellow Channel. I would suspect in the not too distant future, if not already now, that in addition to the news being delivered in an entertainment format that most people will simply tune to the news they want to hear as opposed to news that may actually educate them. Of course this will continue to divide nations even further.

Edited February 20, 2012 by Nisa

[Kilgore Trout]

Had this not been so poorly written I might have read past the second paragraph.

Word of advice to the author; stop trying to sound smart; obviously your language skills are lacking; keep it simple and to the point.

[geriatrickid]

Sometimes if I want to annoy the hellcat, I'll count the number of times the mandatory pretty lady says ka in a given minute.

I do it out loud. Record so far was 6. And when the kas run on it sums up the quality of most Thai talk shows.

[Reasonableman]

Sometimes if I want to annoy the hellcat, I'll count the number of times the mandatory pretty lady says ka in a given minute.

I do it out loud. Record so far was 6. And when the kas run on it sums up the quality of most Thai talk shows.

kaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

have you also counted the "oh-hohs!!" on the sport coverage? That's equally entertaining.

Edited February 20, 2012 by Reasonableman

[Shot]

I find Talk Shows to be dangerous to many people in the population. It is kind of like that mentality people use to have that if they read something in a book, it must be true. These talk show hosts that talk about news and current events should all be dressed like clowns to remind people they are nothing but clowns expressing their opinions and views often based on, at best, partial facts of real news. They are no different that they folks sitting outside the local 7/11 after midnight discussing politics but people actually believe what they hear because they either think it is real news or simply because it is coming from people on TV.

The only US news I get on my cable in Bangkok is FoxNews and they have got this down to a science in terms of coming off as a 24-hour news channel where 90% of their content is actually biased opinion pieces based on either completely false facts or partial facts. I don't think FoxNews even has any reporters at all out in the field ... they just pick up news from other sources and edit the info to reflect their agenda and then comment on it all day.

But being that Fox is the number 1 cable news outlet, how can you blame other for wanting copy this type of format of making big money promoting your own personal agenda.

And, you can say the same for CNN, MSNBC, PBS, and the list goes on.

[Thaddeus]

have you also counted the "oh-hohs!!" on the sport coverage? That's equally entertaining.

Yep, sounds like they are doing Jimmy Tarbuck impressions.

[Reasonableman]

I find Talk Shows to be dangerous to many people in the population. It is kind of like that mentality people use to have that if they read something in a book, it must be true. These talk show hosts that talk about news and current events should all be dressed like clowns to remind people they are nothing but clowns expressing their opinions and views often based on, at best, partial facts of real news. They are no different that they folks sitting outside the local 7/11 after midnight discussing politics but people actually believe what they hear because they either think it is real news or simply because it is coming from people on TV.

The only US news I get on my cable in Bangkok is FoxNews and they have got this down to a science in terms of coming off as a 24-hour news channel where 90% of their content is actually biased opinion pieces based on either completely false facts or partial facts. I don't think FoxNews even has any reporters at all out in the field ... they just pick up news from other sources and edit the info to reflect their agenda and then comment on it all day.

But being that Fox is the number 1 cable news outlet, how can you blame other for wanting copy this type of format of making big money promoting your own personal agenda.

And, you can say the same for CNN, MSNBC, PBS, and the list goes on.

Agreed, a pervasive global dumbing down over time. I guess the media must have a very low opinion of the audience's intelligence level. Let's hope they are completely wrong, and that they will all go bankrupt as a result of this error.

Edited February 20, 2012 by Reasonableman

[giddyup]

Sometimes if I want to annoy the hellcat, I'll count the number of times the mandatory pretty lady says ka in a given minute.

I do it out loud. Record so far was 6. And when the kas run on it sums up the quality of most Thai talk shows.

Funny! I do exactly the same on one of the Thai news channels, the token lady "newsreader" does little else but say Ka to her male co-host.

[Suradit69]

Agreed, a pervasive global dumbing down over time. I guess the media must have a very low opinion of the audience's intelligence level. Let's hope they are completely wrong, and that they will all go bankrupt as a result of this error.

Fox News viewers are ill-informed.

That’s the gist of the PublicMind poll from Fairleigh Dickinson University, which found that Fox News viewers know less about certain current events than people who don’t watch the news at all.

According the study, Fox News viewers were 18 points less likely to know that Egyptians overthrew their government than those who don’t watch TV news. People who watch Fox News were also six points less likely to know Syrians have not yet overthrown their government.

Fairleigh Dickinson polled more than 600 adult residents of New Jersey and accounted for education and partisanship.

"Because of the controls for partisanship, we know these results are not just driven by Republicans or other groups being more likely to watch Fox News," said Dan Cassino, a professor of political science at Fairleigh Dickinson and an analyst for the PublicMind Poll. "Rather, the results show us that there is something about watching Fox News that leads people to do worse on these questions than those who don’t watch any news at all."

Edited February 20, 2012 by Suradit69

[mussen]

Had this not been so poorly written I might have read past the second paragraph.

Word of advice to the author; stop trying to sound smart; obviously your language skills are lacking; keep it simple and to the point.

+1, and using the word 'stuff' twice in the first three paragraphs reinforces this.

Edited February 20, 2012 by mussen

[anterian]

Sometimes if I want to annoy the hellcat, I'll count the number of times the mandatory pretty lady says ka in a given minute.

I do it out loud. Record so far was 6. And when the kas run on it sums up the quality of most Thai talk shows.

Funny! I do exactly the same on one of the Thai news channels, the token lady "newsreader" does little else but say Ka to her male co-host.

I like the co reader who keeps saying krap (Crap) to every comment.

[Nisa]

I find Talk Shows to be dangerous to many people in the population. It is kind of like that mentality people use to have that if they read something in a book, it must be true. These talk show hosts that talk about news and current events should all be dressed like clowns to remind people they are nothing but clowns expressing their opinions and views often based on, at best, partial facts of real news. They are no different that they folks sitting outside the local 7/11 after midnight discussing politics but people actually believe what they hear because they either think it is real news or simply because it is coming from people on TV.

The only US news I get on my cable in Bangkok is FoxNews and they have got this down to a science in terms of coming off as a 24-hour news channel where 90% of their content is actually biased opinion pieces based on either completely false facts or partial facts. I don't think FoxNews even has any reporters at all out in the field ... they just pick up news from other sources and edit the info to reflect their agenda and then comment on it all day.

But being that Fox is the number 1 cable news outlet, how can you blame other for wanting copy this type of format of making big money promoting your own personal agenda.

And, you can say the same for CNN, MSNBC, PBS, and the list goes on.

But I don't get those channels in Thailand

[mayday49]

Who would have known that Shakespear,s wonderful writings would give way to the power of such poppycock. Did we get tricked again? Hillbilly Haiku

[JohnAllan]

The problem with Thai talk shows is the Thai face thing. Hosts of serious shows let the likes of politicians off the hook on which they should be wriggling, far too easily.

They need to look at BBC archives of Sir Robin Day's political host shows - and some others - to appreciate just how effective TV presenters can be, both in putting public figures on the spot - as they should - and in educating viewers.

[JohnAllan]

I find Talk Shows to be dangerous to many people in the population. It is kind of like that mentality people use to have that if they read something in a book, it must be true. These talk show hosts that talk about news and current events should all be dressed like clowns to remind people they are nothing but clowns expressing their opinions and views often based on, at best, partial facts of real news. They are no different that they folks sitting outside the local 7/11 after midnight discussing politics but people actually believe what they hear because they either think it is real news or simply because it is coming from people on TV.

The only US news I get on my cable in Bangkok is FoxNews and they have got this down to a science in terms of coming off as a 24-hour news channel where 90% of their content is actually biased opinion pieces based on either completely false facts or partial facts. I don't think FoxNews even has any reporters at all out in the field ... they just pick up news from other sources and edit the info to reflect their agenda and then comment on it all day.

But being that Fox is the number 1 cable news outlet, how can you blame other for wanting copy this type of format of making big money promoting your own personal agenda.

And you presumably believe none of it is true? Conversely, I suppose you do believe everything the public figures that appear on these shows do spout?

Try some of the serious talk shows, such as BBC's Hard Talk. Even the biased British Broadcasting Corporation has that right.

And how can facts be false? Either they are facts, or they are not.

[sparebox2]

Maybe just me.

I feel Thai children get more out of the box than out of their teachers in public Thai schools.

[sparebox2]

Sometimes if I want to annoy the hellcat, I'll count the number of times the mandatory pretty lady says ka in a given minute.

I do it out loud. Record so far was 6. And when the kas run on it sums up the quality of most Thai talk shows.

Funny! I do exactly the same on one of the Thai news channels, the token lady "newsreader" does little else but say Ka to her male co-host.

Are you trying to make fun of Yingluck?

[Nisa]

The problem with Thai talk shows is the Thai face thing. Hosts of serious shows let the likes of politicians off the hook on which they should be wriggling, far too easily.

They need to look at BBC archives of Sir Robin Day's political host shows - and some others - to appreciate just how effective TV presenters can be, both in putting public figures on the spot - as they should - and in educating viewers.

This isn't just a Thai thing, it is the way many of the major networks and/or news program have gone. If conservative politician is on a conservative talk show, it is going to be a love fest with the interviewing sometimes actually defending the politician from issues they may be being scrutinized in the more liberal press.Of course the reverse can also be said about the liberal news programs.

However, Thailand seems to really lack in the area of investigative journalism as a whole but I don't think this has anything to do with losing face. It is more about a less free press or at least a press that isn't as protected and will band together if somebody in power tries to limit press freedoms or punish somebody for reporting the truth. In the west, at least the US, even the most conservative press will join forces with a rag like Hustler magazine to defend the publications rights of freedom of press and speach.

[blows]

Maybe just me.

I feel Thai children get more out of the box than out of their teachers in public Thai schools.

And absolutely the internet.

[Reasonableman]

I find Talk Shows to be dangerous to many people in the population. It is kind of like that mentality people use to have that if they read something in a book, it must be true. These talk show hosts that talk about news and current events should all be dressed like clowns to remind people they are nothing but clowns expressing their opinions and views often based on, at best, partial facts of real news. They are no different that they folks sitting outside the local 7/11 after midnight discussing politics but people actually believe what they hear because they either think it is real news or simply because it is coming from people on TV.

The only US news I get on my cable in Bangkok is FoxNews and they have got this down to a science in terms of coming off as a 24-hour news channel where 90% of their content is actually biased opinion pieces based on either completely false facts or partial facts. I don't think FoxNews even has any reporters at all out in the field ... they just pick up news from other sources and edit the info to reflect their agenda and then comment on it all day.

But being that Fox is the number 1 cable news outlet, how can you blame other for wanting copy this type of format of making big money promoting your own personal agenda.

And you presumably believe none of it is true? Conversely, I suppose you do believe everything the public figures that appear on these shows do spout?

Try some of the serious talk shows, such as BBC's Hard Talk. Even the biased British Broadcasting Corporation has that right.

And how can facts be false? Either they are facts, or they are not.

1. Agree about Hard Talk, normally very good, although some of the interviewees get more kid glove than others. It also depends on the interviewer. Some are more aggressive and chase the smell of blood more persistently than others.
   

1. As any historian can tell you, facts ain't facts, it's all about perception and interpretation, and the dominant paradigm. If you read the history of British colonialism in Africa, you would expect to get quite a different story from African historians and British colonizers, even when faithfully recounting the same "facts".
   

Edited February 20, 2012 by Reasonableman

[scorecard]

The problem with Thai talk shows is the Thai face thing. Hosts of serious shows let the likes of politicians off the hook on which they should be wriggling, far too easily.

They need to look at BBC archives of Sir Robin Day's political host shows - and some others - to appreciate just how effective TV presenters can be, both in putting public figures on the spot - as they should - and in educating viewers.

Very good point.

A point which concerns me a little, in any country, is that so many people instantly believe what they here from the celebrity (the host ) or the invited guests.

"The host / the celebrity guest or whatever said it on TV, therefore it must be correct!"

When I was a kid there was no TV, just newspapers and radio. The whole family had dinner, then father turned on the radio (a very big piece of furniture with the old style big glowing tubes in the back) and we listend to the evening news. Then father / mother asked questions about the details what we all heard, then father / mother asked "do you agree", "do you belive that's true", "could there be other important information about this subject which wasn't presented on the radios news?" etc.

There intent was obvious, 'don't believe everything you hear from anybody, including on the news'.

Also, our city had two local newspapers, both were delivered to our house every morning. Everybody was encouraged to read both nespapers before we listened to the radio news that evening.

Again, my parents intent was obvious, to notice conflicting information, to gain insights from poeple with different views, values etc., and 'don't believe everything you hear from anybody, including in the newspapers and on the radio news.

I have grown kids here in Thailand, I have pushed something similar all of their their lives, and they now push the same things with their kids - my grandchildren, who are well informed and often shock other adults with the information and analysis they come out with.

Edited February 20, 2012 by scorecard

[fire and ice]

A good reputation has to be earned through consistent performance and trust, not bought with the use of amoral, wind-up "perception managers".

Ye

Yes, but only in an ideal world. But we dont live in one so this is often not the case. In Thailand its probably rarely the case, hence the lack of "consistent performance and trust" in the country (at least in the public sector). A lot of businesses earn their good reputations the "hard way".

[Reasonableman]

A good reputation has to be earned through consistent performance and trust, not bought with the use of amoral, wind-up "perception managers".

Ye

Yes, but only in an ideal world. But we dont live in one so this is often not the case. In Thailand its probably rarely the case, hence the lack of "consistent performance and trust" in the country (at least in the public sector). A lot of businesses earn their good reputations the "hard way".

Well, let's aspire for the ideal and perhaps we can inspire others to do likewise. If we have no vision of where we want to be it is highly unlikely we will ever get there. That's part of the problem with the current political frictions. No-one has painted an inspiring vision for the future that the Thai people can identify with and rally around. It's mostly short-term thinking about being a winner or a loser and the rest of the country is played like pawns. In addition, there's far too much defeatism and acceptance of the status quo, IMHO.

Us and Them

And after all we're only ordinary men

Me, and you

God only knows it's not what we would choose to do

Forward he cried from the rear

And the front rank died

And the General sat, as the lines on the map

Moved from side to side

Black and Blue

And who knows which is which and who is who

Up and Down

And in the end it's only round and round and round

Haven't you heard it's a battle of words

The poster bearer cried

Listen son, said the man with the gun

There's room for you inside

Down and Out

It can't be helped but there's a lot of it about

With, without

And who'll deny that's what the fightings all about

Get out of the way, it's a busy day

And I've got things on my mind

For want of the price of tea and a slice

The old man died