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

[ScubaBuddha]

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

Welcome to Thailand. Land of 1000 Hipocracies.

[unanimosity]

I was in the Korat shopping centre and one small were selling swastika flags along side the British Flag ( union Jack ) i sad to my girlfriend about it and just got it just a picture on a flag, I told her to look at youtube about what happen she did'nt bother as thats in the past and is not important and you can't eat it or sell it. That's what it comes down to,as one member said " Thai ignorance of history is just stunning"

If you drive down to Hua Hin from Bangkok you wil see a big gold dome with a big red Swastika on the done, maybe an old Asia symbol but it still brings the memories back to most farang one way or another.

But that is YOUR issue. If you cannot rationalize that the swastika on the dome has nothing to do with Hitler then you are displaying just as much intellectual processing as your girl friend.

Unfortunately, any intellect has failed to rub off on you; conjuring such nonsense that a person with a learned sense of history and a person that ignores history (ignoranus) are somehow equivalent. You are obviously the latter.

[TomTao]

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.

As far as I know none of my relatives died during the war, but my great grandfather was a German Jew who fought for Australia against the Nazis in Europe while his father was in an internment camp in Australia because of his German nationality, the community protested and got him released.

[Thai at Heart]

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.

Thank you for pointing that out for those that think only the Jews suffered. Gypsies were also exterminated, but it's still OK to be politically incorrect about them.

As for mass murderers, Mao was right up there, but no one in the west seems perturbed about him. In fact, many of the so called intelligensia still admire him. And, let's not forget that China's leaders are still involved in trying to destroy the Tibetan culture, but Obama still gives a state welcome to the Chinese vice premier.

Seems to me that a lot of people want to have it both ways with bad leaders- but that's a tad hypocrytical, no?

It also seems to be apparent that a lot of people don't realise that Thailand was allied to the Axis side in the war.

Allied where exactly?

I

n the immediate aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese forces invaded Thailand's territory on the morning of December 8, 1941. Only hours after the invasion, the then prime minister Field Marshal Phibunsongkhram, ordered the cessation of resistance against the Japanese. On December 21, 1941, a military alliance with Japan was signed and on January 25, 1942 Sang Phathanothai read over the radio Thailand's formal declaration of war on the United Kingdom and the United States.

But let's not split hairs huh?

[Pui]

How often in the west have I seen young Leftist university types wearing T-shirts bearing the photos of

Joseph Stalin,

Mao tse tung

Vladimir lenin

Idi Amin

Sometimes there is a comical element to the T shirt, sometimes nationalistic, sometimes just the photo.

These are freely available to buy at market stalls and the like, and I see people wearing them all the time back in Australia and have done for 30+ years. They seem to have a 'cool' fashionable element for some people.

I never hear uproar over this in Australia, yet these people they are glorifying were essentially ruthless dictators. Perhaps it's because it is not such a part of western culture and psyche. A bit like Hitler/Swastika images might be to the average Thai.

Exactly, these t-shirts are in the same light hearted vein.

[LuckyLew]

LOS - Land of stupidity

Thai students are taught nothing about the outside world

If it happened outside of the Thai borders, Thais are not

told or taught about it

But to see large comapnaies and organizations doing this

is almost beyond words. Thais will not complain about it,

because they do not know what it represents. Thais will not

change it, because they do not care what the outside world thinks

They just want people to come here, spend their money and go home

[Daniel44]

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 recall that some Germans resisted to nazism at the cost of their lives ((Die Weiße Rose for example ) and that the nazis were from Germany, Austria, Sudetenland, Poland (Danzig), Holland, Denmark, Luxemburg, etc, and had accomplices in Italy, France, Spain, Romania, Hungary and others.

Moreover, Hitler was Austrian!

So no reason to be ashamed of being German.

Edited February 27, 2012 by Daniel44

[thaiorchidsource]

The educational system is seriously lacking in history outside of Thailand to name one area of education. My kids study Thai history, but nothing more as far as I can see. Is it any wonder why Thailand is xenophobic. I am of Jewish ancestory, and if I ever see one of these mentioned things, I will have a hard time controlling myself. I have 3 children in a bilingual school in Chiang Mai, and the owner started giving Christian lessons to the children without parental consent, and I have issues with this. Is it so uncommon in Thailand that people do not show respect for other people's religions and cultures, after all this is a Buddahist country. I bet most Christians if asked what religion was Christ would say that Jesus was a Christian, but anyone who knows history would know he was a Jew. Where is the tolerence i keep hearing about?

[ExpatJ]

Spare me the hyperventilating ranting about how aghast people are that only Thais could do this. You can walk into any tshirt shop in London/New york, Sydney etc and buy t shirts with Stalin faces on them (he only killed 15 million people mind you), or che guava (sic) etc.etc

[David48]

All way to serious ... get a grip, TiTs

The BBC aired a program ...

[blazes]

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.

Hmm, you are passionate about intellectual property rights- does this mean you (and those posters who clicked 'like' on your post) have never bought a copy DVD? Really? And FYI, Thailand has massive foreign investment flowing in.

On the whole i think its positive that hitler is being made into an object of ridicule.

Just a small correction: the Geriatrickid actually wrote:

no foreign entities have insignificant R&D investments in Thailand.

Which presumably means "All foreign entities have significant blah blah blah"

[aum2005]

For a culture that demands so much respect for their billionaire monarchy you'd think they would show a little more respect for the murder of millions of people in Europe a the hands of a madman during WWII considering it was the West that saved these pathetic cowards from the Japanese turning Thailand into its own Province.

The West saved Thailand from the Japanese? My God, go and learn just a little bit of history. I am no apologist for the Japanese (having lived there for 15 years I am fully aware of the atrocities and how knowledge of it is suppressed in Japan), but during the war Thailand declared itself neutral, allowing Japanese troops free passage, having no armed forces capable of resisting. Given that Thailand's pleas for assistance to the French and British were roundly ignored, what other option did they have? A totally realistic position for the Government of the day; their responsibility is to their own populace first and foremost.

And given the West's treatment of their colonies pre-war, and their subsequent post-war behavior, (i.e. the attempted re-colonisation of Indonesia by the Dutch, the French in Indo-China etc., with full support from the Allies), do you really expect the Thais (or any other people in Sth East Asia) to be "grateful"?

Back to the topic in hand. We are such a precious lot, aren't we? I wonder if I released a t-shirt with the American flag flying over the body of Salvador Allende with the words "Victory for Democracy" underneath, would I also be accused of racism?

It is parody, black humor. Get over it. The best way to de-power a symbol is to turn it into a joke, so that even those who believe in it can no longer use it and be taken seriously. Much like African Americans claiming derogatory terms such as "nigger" as their own.

Bring it on I say.

[GentlemanJim]

I was in the Korat shopping centre and one small were selling swastika flags along side the British Flag ( union Jack ) i sad to my girlfriend about it and just got it just a picture on a flag, I told her to look at youtube about what happen she did'nt bother as thats in the past and is not important and you can't eat it or sell it. That's what it comes down to,as one member said " Thai ignorance of history is just stunning"

If you drive down to Hua Hin from Bangkok you wil see a big gold dome with a big red Swastika on the done, maybe an old Asia symbol but it still brings the memories back to most farang one way or another.

But that is YOUR issue. If you cannot rationalize that the swastika on the dome has nothing to do with Hitler then you are displaying just as much intellectual processing as your girl friend.

Unfortunately, any intellect has failed to rub off on you; conjuring such nonsense that a person with a learned sense of history and a person that ignores history (ignoranus) are somehow equivalent. You are obviously the latter.

How rude!

[meithai]

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.

NO, it would'nt, they japanese, young & old have been brainwashed, have you ever been there, have you ever spoken to any, I was absolutely disgusted with what I saw & heard.

[unanimosity]

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.

German soldiers in WWII were patriots first and foremost. Many were Nazi, SS and other fanatics. Germans understand the past and apologies for the nazis are not necessary any more. Education of Hitler's evil and how a charismatic leader can lead a nation into destruction should be tought to every generation, in every country.

Nazis are not neccessary any more?

"One thing you can't hide, is when you're crippled inside."

[necronx99]

...

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

I say get a grip.

So true. ..haha....we can all look back and have a good chuckle at it now....Right Grandpa?......Grandpa?.....

Careful you don't fall off that horse, it's along way down.

You grew up laughing at Basil, at Mel's Springtime for Hitler, Dad's Army, Hogans Heroes, Allo, Allo, The list goes on and on....

Just remembered, Even Indiana Jones threw a Hitler sight gag in. Made by Jews wasn't it? In America.

Edited February 27, 2012 by necronx99

[dick turpin]

The Thai grasp of history......my missus can't remember what happened yesterday.

[sparebox2]

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 recall that some Germans resisted to nazism at the cost of their lives ((Die Weiße Rose for example ) and that the nazis were from Germany, Austria, Sudetenland, Poland (Danzig), Holland, Denmark, etc, and had accomplices in Italy, France, Spain, Romania, Hungary and others.

Moreover, Hitler was Austrian!

So no reason to be ashamed of being German.

Hilter is an Austrian? I always though he was German, and speak German too.

[Pui]

This is not about Jews, Russians, or any one race! Nor is this about the amount of time that has past. This is clearly about intelligents! This is about an Idea of wiping out certain races of human kind! that can never be forgotten nor tolerated. Shame on you those hear in Thailand that refuse to take responsibility for this kind of action!

Is the misspelling of "intelligence" meant as some sort of oxymoron?

All I'm saying is that Thai's are not ignorant becuase they don't share your beliefs about the holocaust.

Don't force your views on Thai's. Asia had their own problems at the time, one of them being Chairmen Mao but you don't see them going on about it. His-story has all sorts of accounts. Don't force views and call people ignorant. Thai's are very tolerant people. You should have the same tolerance while here and not lash out with criticism.

Edited February 27, 2012 by Pui

[Suradit69]

What is the literacy rate in Thailand? Never see anybody reading, or even carrying any reading material.

I wonder who buys all the books, newspapers and magazines printed in the Thai language in the numerous Thai language bookshops. Since most foreigners, no matter how long they've lived in Thailand can't read Thai [speaking of profound ignorance, which seems to be a popular lament in this thread] , it's certainly not them.

Edited February 27, 2012 by Suradit69

[aum2005]

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 recall that some Germans resisted to nazism at the cost of their lives ((Die Weiße Rose for example ) and that the nazis were from Germany, Austria, Sudetenland, Poland (Danzig), Holland, Denmark, etc, and had accomplices in Italy, France, Spain, Romania, Hungary and others.

Moreover, Hitler was Austrian!

So no reason to be ashamed of being German.

Hilter is an Austrian? I always though he was German, and speak German too.

Yes, Austrian born and bred.

[draftvader]

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 recall that some Germans resisted to nazism at the cost of their lives ((Die Weiße Rose for example ) and that the nazis were from Germany, Austria, Sudetenland, Poland (Danzig), Holland, Denmark, etc, and had accomplices in Italy, France, Spain, Romania, Hungary and others.

Moreover, Hitler was Austrian!

So no reason to be ashamed of being German.

Hilter is an Austrian? I always though he was German, and speak German too.

You learn something new every day. Note that Austrian nationals were are the pivot points of the start of both World Wars. Another reason to be suspicious of Austrian politicians working abroad....

[commonparlance]

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.

The swastika is indeed an ancient Asian religious symbol, but when its direction is reversed, it's rotated 45 degrees, and it's put in a white circle on a red flag, which the Chiang Mai students did, it's pretty unequivocally a Nazi symbol. It's disingenuous to say the students were simply using an old religious symbol, especially since their sports day performance included lots of other Nazi-themed imagery.

Not sure if McDonalds will do anything about it. The Ronald McDonald/Hitler shirts have been around for at least a couple years now, and it doesn't seem like intellectual property is taken very seriously in Thailand. All the Red Bull, Heineken, and classic rock band t-shirts you see everywhere? I don't think the rightful owners of those copyrights are getting anything from those.

[thaibeachlovers]

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.

Thank you for pointing that out for those that think only the Jews suffered. Gypsies were also exterminated, but it's still OK to be politically incorrect about them.

As for mass murderers, Mao was right up there, but no one in the west seems perturbed about him. In fact, many of the so called intelligensia still admire him. And, let's not forget that China's leaders are still involved in trying to destroy the Tibetan culture, but Obama still gives a state welcome to the Chinese vice premier.

Seems to me that a lot of people want to have it both ways with bad leaders- but that's a tad hypocrytical, no?

It also seems to be apparent that a lot of people don't realise that Thailand was allied to the Axis side in the war.

Allied where exactly?

I

n the immediate aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese forces invaded Thailand's territory on the morning of December 8, 1941. Only hours after the invasion, the then prime minister Field Marshal Phibunsongkhram, ordered the cessation of resistance against the Japanese. On December 21, 1941, a military alliance with Japan was signed and on January 25, 1942 Sang Phathanothai read over the radio Thailand's formal declaration of war on the United Kingdom and the United States.

But let's not split hairs huh?

Huh! You answered your own question. The Axis powers were Germany , Italy and Japan. When Thailand became allied with Japan, she was allied with the Axis.

[Thai at Heart]

This is not about Jews, Russians, or any one race! Nor is this about the amount of time that has past. This is clearly about intelligents! This is about an Idea of wiping out certain races of human kind! that can never be forgotten nor tolerated. Shame on you those hear in Thailand that refuse to take responsibility for this kind of action!

Is the misspelling of "intelligence" meant as some sort of oxymoron?

All I'm saying is that Thai's are not ignorant becuase they don't share your beliefs about the holocaust.

Don't force your views on Thai's. Asia had their own problems at the time, one of them being Chairmen Mao but you don't see them going on about it. His-story has all sorts of accounts. Don't force views and call people ignorant. Thai's a re very tollorent people. You should have the same tollorance while here and not ctitis them.

Try marching through Tianenmen protesting against Mao and see how far you get

[draftvader]

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 recall that some Germans resisted to nazism at the cost of their lives ((Die Weiße Rose for example ) and that the nazis were from Germany, Austria, Sudetenland, Poland (Danzig), Holland, Denmark, etc, and had accomplices in Italy, France, Spain, Romania, Hungary and others.

Moreover, Hitler was Austrian!

So no reason to be ashamed of being German.

Hilter is an Austrian? I always though he was German, and speak German too.

Sorry, I forgot to add that Austrians speak High-German. So you learn 2 new things every day

[Considered Opinion]

Once again Thailand hits a homerun for ignorance.

IGNORANCE - THAILAND - OMG surely not.

[anterian]

Growing up in London during the war us kids would often walk around parodying Hitler, one finger held under our noses as a mustache, the other arm raised in the Nazi salute, we found it funny. We were not supporting him, we were taking the piss.

Thats not surprising at all considering England has one of the longest and most shameful legacies of Anti-Semetism of any country on Earth. I'll bet your glad all the Jews there have been replaced with vile bearded Islamic clerics calling for Sharia Law in Great Britain right?

Sorry to disappoint you on this, My grandmother was a Flemish Jewess, the East End of London was a predominantly Jewish area, From Brick Lane all the way down Mile End road.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuts

Furthermore:"Due to the lack of anti-Jewish violence in Britain in the 19th century, it acquired a reputation for religious tolerance and attracted significant immigration from Eastern Europe. In the 1930s and 1940s, some European Jews fled to England to escape the Nazis."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Jews_in_England

On a further note I was saddened to discover a few years back that my childhood family home has been converted into a street mosque. It seems that Islam has succeeded where Hitler failed.

[Pui]

The educational system is seriously lacking in history outside of Thailand to name one area of education. My kids study Thai history, but nothing more as far as I can see. Is it any wonder why Thailand is xenophobic. I am of Jewish ancestory, and if I ever see one of these mentioned things, I will have a hard time controlling myself. I have 3 children in a bilingual school in Chiang Mai, and the owner started giving Christian lessons to the children without parental consent, and I have issues with this. Is it so uncommon in Thailand that people do not show respect for other people's religions and cultures, after all this is a Buddahist country. I bet most Christians if asked what religion was Christ would say that Jesus was a Christian, but anyone who knows history would know he was a Jew. Where is the tolerence i keep hearing about?

Tell me why Thai's need to be force fed your view on the holocaust? If having a Chairman Mao t-shirt is acceptable then so a parody of Adolf Hilter.

Edited February 27, 2012 by Pui

[khaowong1]

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.

It doesn't have much to do with freedom of speech, or a personal choice to voice an opinion, it would appear to be more of a case of complete ignorance. This trend simply highlights the fact that most Thais have limited knowledge of history and what is going on in the rest of the world, they are a lot like Americans in that way.

Whoa, back up a little amigo, your hitting too far below the belt. I don't know what country your from but what did we do to you to get your pantys in a wad?