Bangkok's 'Hitler Chic' Trend Riles Tourists, Israeli Envoy

[webfact]

Bangkok's 'Hitler chic' trend riles tourists, Israeli envoy

Thai youth are strutting around in T-shirts bearing cartoonish images of the Nazi dictator. Critics blame it on ignorance

By Tibor Krausz

BANGKOK: -- Cartoon pandas, Teletubbies, Ronald McDonald. At first glance they don’t seem to have much in common beyond a certain childlike quality. But during a visit to Bangkok you may discover another trait these popular cultural icons now share: their resemblance to Adolf Hitler.

In the Thai capital’s latest outbreak of Nazi chic, pandas, Teletubbies and Ronald have metamorphosed into cutesy alter egos of the Führer, who seems to exert a childlike fascination over some young Thais.

With any luck you can spot trendy young [more...]

Full story: http://www.cnngo.com...ic-trend-138530

-- cnngo.com 2012-02-27

[Thai at Heart]

Once again Thailand hits a homerun for ignorance.

[Slaps]

Pathetic!

.

[draftvader]

Not just tourists, but tax paying workers too. Not every white face is a tourist. Poor reporting. How many people reading ThaiVisa have a relative who died during this war....on either side (the frontline men were trying to do the "right" thing for their country)?

I know of 3 relatives in my family alone.

[laurentbkk]

oh well , everything is good enough to make money in this country .... unfortunately I am sure so many thais dont have any idea of what happend during the war and what Hitler did to the people , not only the jews but , gypsies , homosexual, communist etc ..... ignorance is the key and lack in education another one.

[ratcatcher]

Using the swastika image, as the Chiang Mai students did some time ago is one thing since it's an ancient religious symbol, but glorifying Hitler and using Ronald McDonald as a Hitler image is a bit much. I expect McDonalds Corp., to sue soon.

Thai ignorance of history is just stunning. No doubt some politicians will soon be seen sporting the Little Dictator moustache.

Perhaps some young ignorant soul with cash to splash here will open a slimming spa called Buchenwald Bodyworks. Pathetic.

[Javabear]

Not just tourists, but tax paying workers too. Not every white face is a tourist. Poor reporting. How many people reading ThaiVisa have a relative who died during this war....on either side (the frontline men were trying to do the "right" thing for their country)?

I know of 3 relatives in my family alone.

None in my family died. They all fought for the allies and killed the nazi scum.

[necronx99]

I dunno, these all look like parodies.

How about Basil (don't mention the war) Fawlty?

Mel Brooks?

Or Team America and Kim Il Jong?

The best way to depower something is to laugh at it. These shirts would be an anathema to a hardcore neo nazi.

It's been 70 years, how long do we want to carry this cross?

I say get a grip.

[geriatrickid]

Aside from the ignorance of glamorizing der Fuhrer, this situation basically is a very bold statement of the complete disregard and contempt that Thailand has for intellectual property, trade dress,and trademarks. Teletubbies, Ronald McDonald etc. are all trademarks and important assets of others. Those groups have invested millions if not billions of baht into building their respective brands. Teletubbies which is intended for young kids deserves better than to have its image raped and violated by a bunch of greedy, ignorant thieves. And yes that's what these businesses are. They aren't just robbing their victims, they are peeing on them as well. One can laugh this off all one wants, but it is this attitude that explains in part why no foreign entities have insignificant R&D investments in Thailand.

Edited February 27, 2012 by geriatrickid

[Thai at Heart]

Aside from the ignorance of glamorizing der Fuhrer, this situation basically is a very bold statement of the complete disregard and contempt that Thailand has for intelectual property, trade dress,and trademarks. Teletubbies, Ronald McDonald etc. are all trademarks and important assets of others. Those groups have invested millions if not billions of baht into building their respective brands. Teletubbies which is intended for young kids deserves better than to have its image raped and violated by a bunch of greedy, ignorant thieves. And yes tha's what these business are. They aaren't just robbing their victims, they are peeing on them as well. One can laugh this off all one wants, but it is this attitude that explains in part why no foreign entities have R&D investments in Thailand.

Indeed,

Beyond this, the fact that the army got its nickers in such a twist about putting Abhisit's image on a flip flop shows how truly bizarre this country can be.

I wonder how long a t-shirt openly stating Praer Viharn isn't Thai would last in the market? (Irrespective of whether it is true or not). To another poster, this isn't laughing at nazism, this parody as you call it is essentially thievery by besmirching global brands.

[Lammbock]

As a German i feel ashamed. Sorry.

[BookMan]

Tasteless, to be sure. But really a storm in a teacup.

[phiphidon]

Using the swastika image, as the Chiang Mai students did some time ago is one thing since it's an ancient religious symbol, but glorifying Hitler and using Ronald McDonald as a Hitler image is a bit much. I expect McDonalds Corp., to sue soon.

Thai ignorance of history is just stunning. No doubt some politicians will soon be seen sporting the Little Dictator moustache.

Perhaps some young ignorant soul with cash to splash here will open a slimming spa called Buchenwald Bodyworks. Pathetic.

Whereas you, you wouldn't exploit the image at all, would you, Pathetic.

[ratcatcher]

As a German i feel ashamed. Sorry.

You are a German of this generation. You should have no reason to be ashamed. The evil was commited by past generations.

However your people are well aware of the evils of Naziism and Hitler's rule and have strict rules regarding Nazi symbolism and its abuse.

That would also apply to Japanese people. They understand history. Thais have yet to learn.

[timbothaivisa]

As already pointed out, Stalin put Hitler distinctly in the shade with his prowess for putting millions to death, and you don't have to look very far to find other runners-up, so what's the big taboo with Hitler? I for one came here to escape the strychnined, egg-shell tip-toeing that passes for daily existence in the "mustn't offend anyone" West. grow a set & stop projecting your insecurities into what everyone knows to be one of the most polite cultures on the block.

[transam]

Isreal should stop bugging Thailand and Nazi, and terrorism.

Could you try to rewrite that in semi-understandable English?

''Sorry sir, he's from Barcelona, MANWELL''......................... '' Yes Mr.Faulty".

[GrahamR]

Once again Thailand hits a homerun for ignorance.

Education in history seems worse than lacking

Graham

[yumidesign]

having just scanned through the CNN report and the Thai one i am not amazed to see that nowhere is there any comment of why it might be wrong or offensive to many and explain why

[harrycallahan]

The whole Hitler thing is OUR (mental) problem not theirs.

It used to be amusing to us too before PC'ism took over.

Do you think Basil Fawlty would get away with his Hitler walk today? How about Hogan's Heroes, that's going back about 30 years now, hilarious stuff "I know nutting!". Nah, Nazis, how dare they use Nazis as a vehicle for comedy, that's insensitive to blah blah blah.

[pacovl46]

Once again Thailand hits a homerun for ignorance.

It's not ignorance but being completely uninformed. I've seen swastikas on helmets and flags and posters a million times. I even saw a Thai nazi ones completely with shaved head, bomber jacket and boots with white laces. If they only knew that they wouldn't have made it a second in the Third Reich.

[pedro01]

Seems it's OK for Che to be cool but not Adolf. Che was a despot too.

As for Hitler chic, it's just another round of the elder generation being upset with those crazy kids. The younger generation always pushed the boundaries and long may that continue.

Your grandparents probably shook their heads about rock n' roll the same way you are shaking your heads about this.

Storm in a teacup.

[yougivemebaby]

Most of the Thai's are quite ignorant about the subject of Nazism. I'd say only the most highly educated understand who hitler was and what he did. Thai's see the swastika and only think of their religion. Buddists did have the symbol thousands of years before hitler decided to shame it. I doubt even if they did know what a swastika represented in the western world it would change anything. This is Thailand. Don't take it too seriously.

[Time Traveller]

I don't understand why these westerners are complaining. These kids are not running around threatening foreigners on the streets or promoting political hatred. The images are actually making fun of Hitler. You Jews did that too remember. Mel Brooks....And if it still offends you then why don't you start complaining about Italians and their glorification of ancient Roman Gladiators. Those guys did a lot of killing of Jew's and other people also. Or did you forget your history?

Edited February 27, 2012 by Time Traveller

[Payboy]

Link on the same CNN page "Thailand calls for ban on religious tattoos for tourists."

[GentlemanJim]

As a German i feel ashamed. Sorry.

You are a German of this generation. You should have no reason to be ashamed. The evil was commited by past generations.

However your people are well aware of the evils of Naziism and Hitler's rule and have strict rules regarding Nazi symbolism and its abuse.

That would also apply to Japanese people. They understand history. Thais have yet to learn.

I am interested that you believe that the Japanese understand history. If you mean by wiping history out of the classroom they understand it, then yes, you are correct. No Japanese children are taught anything of WW2 that bears any resemblance to actual events, nor are they told of the rape of Nanking and other atrocities that were inflicted on the Chinese by the Japanese.

I find the whole Thai thing with the shirts a bit funny and ironic. I am amazed (but shouldn't be) at the amount of TV members that have jumped on the outrage bus, that in itself is pathetic. The only comments worthy of merit or relevance are the ones by Geriatrickid concerning copyright issues.

Maybe the youth see Hitler as someone they can relate to as in the not too distant future Thailand may have its own Hitler in the form of Thaksin. Very similar backgrounds really, risen to power from nothing, both holding lowly positions as Corporal, one in the army one in the police, and very skilled manipulators of public opinion and crowd behaviour.

For those it applies to, please stop going on about use of the swastika on helmets and stuff in Thailand. LONG before Hitler got hold of the symbol it had been in use already for a couple of thousand years in the esoteric religions of Asia. It is an important Hindu symbol and means eternity and Buddhism in China.

Edited February 27, 2012 by GentlemanJim

[Thai at Heart]

Seems it's OK for Che to be cool but not Adolf. Che was a despot too.

As for Hitler chic, it's just another round of the elder generation being upset with those crazy kids. The younger generation always pushed the boundaries and long may that continue.

Your grandparents probably shook their heads about rock n' roll the same way you are shaking your heads about this.

Storm in a teacup.

Comparing Hitler to rock and roll is stretching it rather.

There is absolutely ZERO creativity in these images, they are simply bad taste and show an astonishing ignorance and zero empathy.

It is cheap kitsch products for sale or marketing, so it is a storm in a teacup, but it shows a much wider lack of understanding.

[timbothaivisa]

I don't understand why these westerners are complaining. These kids are not running around threatening foreigners on the streets or promoting political hatred. The images are actually making fun of Hitler. You Jews did that too remember. Mel Brooks....And if it still offends you then why don't you start complaining about Italians and their glorification of ancient Roman Gladiators. Those guys did a lot of killing of Jew's and other people also. Or did you forget your history?

These westerners are the neo-missionaries, spreading the good news of PC-ism. All good souls will instantly recognise the glory of PC and bow down and worship it. Those who resist will be entrusted to the cleansing power of the flames of his mercy.Nothing ever changes.

[Suradit69]

Once again Thailand hits a homerun for ignorance.

Education in history seems worse than lacking

Graham

I think the British Royals beat them to it.

Edited February 27, 2012 by Suradit69

[trainman34014]

Hmmm....Miracle Thailand, 'Hub Of Bad Taste' .

[Okertes]

As a Jew that part of my family were murdered by the Nazi bustards I can tell you that the whole thing is ridicules and those T-shirts should offend the Neo Nazis not the Jews or others who suffered from the Nazis .Anyway there are new Hitlers in the world that should be dealt with .