What Thailand lack are innovative academics, although some of the physicians have published quite decent articles in internationally respected journals

The you might be surprised by the high degree of respect as well as the accolades bestowed upon Achaan Thongchai Winichakul by his academic peers after the publishing of his book Siam Mapped, which is very much a historical look back on both Thai and Southeast Asian perceptions of "nation".

But yes, the headline here makes the hapless Professor Thanet look a bit foolish although my guess is that the actual paper presented was far more nuanced than the headline and the article suggest.

History, as an academic subject, is as poorly presented in the Thai high schools as it is in the western high schools, and perhaps a tad more poorly. Although here in the US we racing towards the bottom to catch up with Thailand as far as the lack of historical knowledge obtained in public schooling.

I understand your point, but I do think that some Thais, at least, would be happy to wipe the slate clean and start "history" from 1967. Think of all those "difficult" periods that would simply be gone - the twenty years between 1930 and 1950 spring immediately to mind.

Thus, we should write about what has happened in Asean and this will become our identity," [...] He also called on Asean countries to create a common history based on shared political changes and problems in order to create better connectivity among the people. [Thanet Aphornsuvan, Associate Professor of History at Thammasat University, 2013]

The professor's view is about about seventy-five years behind most historians throughout the word, who do not see their role as creating historical narratives, but try to (histriographically) trace out the unfolding of events in relation to previous and current interpretations of them. What next: Someone professing the earth is flat?

Edited February 11, 201313 yr by Morakot

Thus, we should write about what has happened in Asean and this will become our identity," [...] He also called on Asean countries to create a common history based on shared political changes and problems in order to create better connectivity among the people. [Thanet Aphornsuvan, professor of history at Thammasat University, 2013]

The professor's view is about about seventy-five years behind most historians throughout the word, who do not see their role as creating historical narratives, but try to (histriographically) trace out the unfolding of events in relation to previous and current interpretations of them. What next: Some professing the earth is flat?

Rather hilarious view isn't it. Considering that at various points in recent history, some allied one way, others allied another, battles were fought, battles were lost, but we must come up with a unified view of Asean that doesn't offend anyone's sensibilities.

I can just see the discussions about how to record the history of the Japanese incursions into South East Asia, or the roles that various countried played in the Vietnam and Cambodian wars. What a bunfight that would be....

Edited February 11, 201313 yr by Thai at Heart

You ask for ASEAN History??? Really I mean really ASEAN history, TAUGHT in Thai style, what Thai academics want their young students to rote-learn-memorize??? Well here you go:

"BUT CAUTIOUS FIRST THESE WORDS, THAT I'M GONNA TYPE, ARE NOT COMING OUT OF MY MOUTH!!!!"

Those words are coming

From Thai academics' point of view:

"DEAR STUDENTS, THIS IS OUR HISTORY WITH ASEAN COUNTRIES...:

1." Cambodians have robbed your beloved Prea Vihenar temple, THEY are the bad and evil, evil thieves"

2. "Myanmar people from Burma are OUR SLAVE B*******ES, they do all the dirty work for just 20 cents per day, and you are allowed and encouraged to treat them like crap in any way you want them to... without getting punished"

3. FARANG PEOPLE HAVE A LOT OF MONEYYYYY, so you must rip them off and double price them, "because they don't understand our language anyway??? The less they understand, the better you can rip them off"

4. China is our master, "we must treat Chinese aka Thai Chinese ancestors as our kings."

5. "Japan are the car producers, that benefit us in receiving the 1st car buyer scheme"

"Bottom line, dear students: YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO THINK, BUT JUST OBEY WHATEVER THE POLITICAL HIGH SOCIETY CLASS BRAINWASHES INTO YOUR BRAIN UNTIL THE POINT OF NO RETURN!!!"

ASEAN HISTORY THAI STYLE....

Happy Valentines day...

This "academic" sounded like a retard. Not surprising for Thailand. My parrot says more intelligent things than this guy

Does your parrot post on Thaivisa or did it shout 'idiots' and shit on the keyboard?

It shouts idiot at people who ask stupid questions. I think it yelled when I read your post to it. My parrot is probably smarter than lots of people here.

So it's not an ex-parrot then? You're very fortunate that you didn't choose to foster a Norwegian Blue.

This "academic" sounded like a retard. Not surprising for Thailand. My parrot says more intelligent things than this guy

Does your parrot post on Thaivisa or did it shout 'idiots' and shit on the keyboard?

It shouts idiot at people who ask stupid questions. I think it yelled when I read your post to it. My parrot is probably smarter than lots of people here.

So it's not an ex-parrot then? You're very fortunate that you didn't choose to foster a Norwegian Blue.