Thais need to see many colours aside from red and yellow

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Thais need to see many colours aside from red and yellow
Pravit Rojanaphruk

BANGKOK: -- Corrupt politicians, abuse of power, military coups, vote buying, self-censorship - these are often cited by Thais as evils plaguing Thai politics. But the problem of dichotomous thinking - or "black or white" thinking - is seldom discussed.

The narrow view of politics informed by dichotomous thinking continues to plague Thai politics and society. Perhaps a crash course in its defects is urgently needed because society is being increasingly weighed down by mutual hatred based on simplistic and false dichotomous thinking - of us versus them. The seemingly never ending categorisation of those who hold differing political views as "the other" and "the enemy" is taking a heavy toll as mutual political hatred spreads on the Net and beyond.

Never, since the end of the failed communist insurgency three decades ago, has the Thai public been so pushed by its desire to suppress, if not banish, those who think differently and regard them as evil. Dichotomous thinking is easy, as it is only lazy thinking. In times of hunting-gathering, the human need was to quickly identify whether a stranger was a friend or foe, whether to fight or flee from an approaching animal. It was a matter of survival.

Good versus evil, friend or foe, us against them - these dichotomies may have served us well in the Stone Age, but they're utterly inadequate in a democratic and free society, as they tend to reinforce the division of people, with a belief that only one side is right. The urge to brand and suppress those regarded as being on the wrong side can hinder society from producing alternatives.

Under this simplistic dichotomous thinking, you are either with ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra or against him, either a royalist or anti-royalist. Also, if you oppose the 2006 coup, which ousted Thaksin, you must be either his fan or his lackey. And if you oppose the lese majeste law, you must be anti-monarchist and a closet republican.

Such thinking is perpetuating the polarisation of Thai politics and society, to the point where there appears to be no conceivable solution, more than six years after the coup. What society needs, however, is space for political diversity. Those who opposed the coup as a matter of principle must show they're willing to criticise Thaksin and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Likewise, well-intentioned royalists, who value freedom of expression and accountability, must differentiate themselves from ultra-royalists who consider any opposition to the lese majeste law an attack on the monarchy.

If we continue to allow this dichotomous thinking to continue unchallenged, the side which emerges "victorious" will likely repress its 'enemies' to the point where no matter who wins, it will most likely produce a self-righteous dictatorial society.

Thais need to stop seeing politics like rooting for their favourite English Premier League football team, where their love is unconditional, and believe that their team is always right and that total defeat of rivals is a cause to rejoice. We need political space for those who are not merely in love with Thaksin or consider him as evil personified. We need political space for people who oppose the draconian lese majeste law but who respect those who revere HM the King.

That shouldn't be too complicated. But is it?


-- The Nation 2013-07-24

[NongKhaiKid]

" Dichotomous " who had a dictionary for breakfast then ? The piece seemed like an exercise in trying to us the word as often as possible.

[noitom]

This article seems to be stumbling and bumbling through an attempt to advocate "thinking." Individual freedom and thinking is not a popular idea among Thais.

[trainman34014]

The colour doesn't matter; give us 200 Baht and show us where to put our cross. The majority in the boonies wouldn't bother voting at all if they weren't paid, and if you get among them you will soon find out what they really think of Thai Politicians. The Red Mob and Yellow Mob are truly 'Rent a Mobs ' and would not bother to turn out unless they were paid all expenses plus bonus to turn up. When they get home all they talk about is how much money they got.

[DocN]

I have a better idea: why not first stop thinking "black and white" and accept that are (50?) shades of grey on almost ANY subject you can think of!?

[Tatsujin]

Black & white thinking? lol . . . from what I see, most Thai's don't think at all . . .

[Payboy]

Thais need to see many colours aside from red and yellow

Except at the traffic lights, they see green all the time.

[h90]

The colour doesn't matter; give us 200 Baht and show us where to put our cross. The majority in the boonies wouldn't bother voting at all if they weren't paid, and if you get among them you will soon find out what they really think of Thai Politicians. The Red Mob and Yellow Mob are truly 'Rent a Mobs ' and would not bother to turn out unless they were paid all expenses plus bonus to turn up. When they get home all they talk about is how much money they got.

All the yellows I know are middle and upper class.......They are surely not for rent. And the best proof are the last few demonstrations where simply no one came.

[h90]

The colour doesn't matter; give us 200 Baht and show us where to put our cross. The majority in the boonies wouldn't bother voting at all if they weren't paid, and if you get among them you will soon find out what they really think of Thai Politicians. The Red Mob and Yellow Mob are truly 'Rent a Mobs ' and would not bother to turn out unless they were paid all expenses plus bonus to turn up. When they get home all they talk about is how much money they got.

All the yellows I know are middle and upper class.......They are surely not for rent. And the best proof are the last few demonstrations where simply no one came.

[lungmi]

" Dichotomous " who had a dictionary for breakfast then ? The piece seemed like an exercise in trying to us the word as often as possible.

It's a scientifical term used in logic, mathematics, philosophy and linguistics. And he uses this term correcly.

[NongKhaiKid]

" Dichotomous " who had a dictionary for breakfast then ? The piece seemed like an exercise in trying to us the word as often as possible.

It's a scientifical term used in logic, mathematics, philosophy and linguistics. And he uses this term correcly.

yes, and just a little too much

[lungmi]

" Dichotomous " who had a dictionary for breakfast then ? The piece seemed like an exercise in trying to us the word as often as possible.

It's a scientifical term used in logic, mathematics, philosophy and linguistics. And he uses this term correcly.

yes, and just a little too much

Yes, but the comparison with the football-fans (and the hooligans) shows a social phenomena wordwide one a forward march, violence included.

[thhMan]

Why doesnt the Government hand out Glasses to Thais. Sure, it wont make them any smarter, but may give them the appearance of being smarter ! -sic-

[techboy]

" Dichotomous " who had a dictionary for breakfast then ? The piece seemed like an exercise in trying to us the word as often as possible.

While I think that the article is garbage, I suspect that your dictionary was sorely neglected long before today's breakfast.

[techboy]

This article seems to be stumbling and bumbling through an attempt to advocate "thinking." Individual freedom and thinking is not a popular idea among Thais.

OOOH! Aren't we arrogant? Outside of dull, bilious imaginations that are used for smearing other people I do not see a lot of thinking around here.

Edited July 24, 2013 by techboy

[techboy]

I have a better idea: why not first stop thinking "black and white" and accept that are (50?) shades of grey on almost ANY subject you can think of!?

Go DocN!

[drdoom6996]

" Dichotomous " who had a dictionary for breakfast then ? The piece seemed like an exercise in trying to us the word as often as possible.

It's a scientifical term used in logic, mathematics, philosophy and linguistics. And he uses this term correcly.

(of branching) In which the axis is divided into two branches

[techboy]

The author has set down generic thoughts that can be said of any situation where there is partisanship. This seems to justify his complacently in entering his personal opinoins as though he is the ultimate mentor on Thailand.

[weary]

To keep using colour metaphors, all we need to see is orange.

Not the kind that rides private jets, but the kind that makes clear the truth of the unsatisfactoriness that arises out of identifying with our opinions and letting our amygdalas run the show; the kind that demonstrates each of us has the potential to do otherwise.

[techboy]

Black & white thinking? lol . . . from what I see, most Thai's don't think at all . . .

"Thai's don't think at all..." You are not unique in using this inane and anything but canny cheap shot. Took you several hours to "think" of it, no doubt.

[h90]

Why doesnt the Government hand out Glasses to Thais. Sure, it wont make them any smarter, but may give them the appearance of being smarter ! -sic-

Well, Thailand, the same as every other country I know has a lot very smart people.

But on general elections ever vote has the same value, smart or stupid.

That results in the government we have in Thailand/USA/Germany, etc etc

That is the problem of democracy...there are more stupid than smart people, so the stupid control the country. But historically the alternatives didn't work better as well.

[techboy]

To keep using colour metaphors, all we need to see is orange.

Not the kind that rides private jets, but the kind that makes clear the truth of the unsatisfactoriness that arises out of identifying with our opinions and letting our amygdalas run the show; the kind that demonstrates each of us has the potential to do otherwise.

Oh yeah! Amygdalae* is where its at buddy! I agree with Mario Puzo's Mike Corleone:

“... don't let anybody kid you. It's all personal, every bit of business. Every piece of s— every man has to eat every day of his life is personal. They call it business. OK. But it's personal as hell."

[rijb]

I have a better idea: why not first stop thinking "black and white" and accept that are (50?) shades of grey on almost ANY subject you can think of!?

There are a number of sanctimonious pundits in ThaiVisa's political threads that should also take heed of your 'idea' ...

[Tatsujin]

Black & white thinking? lol . . . from what I see, most Thai's don't think at all . . .

"Thai's don't think at all..." You are not unique in using this inane and anything but canny cheap shot. Took you several hours to "think" of it, no doubt.

Not been here long? Or are your rose-tinted glasses still firmly affixed?

[smutcakes]

Black & white thinking? lol . . . from what I see, most Thai's don't think at all . . .

"Thai's don't think at all..." You are not unique in using this inane and anything but canny cheap shot. Took you several hours to "think" of it, no doubt.

Not been here long? Or are your rose-tinted glasses still firmly affixed?

They may not think at all according to you, but they have managed to create a country which you prefer to live in than your own. Whose the stupid one in all this?

[PoodMaiDai]

They see whatever colors their money is printed with.

[Tatsujin]

Black & white thinking? lol . . . from what I see, most Thai's don't think at all . . .

"Thai's don't think at all..." You are not unique in using this inane and anything but canny cheap shot. Took you several hours to "think" of it, no doubt.

Not been here long? Or are your rose-tinted glasses still firmly affixed?

They may not think at all according to you, but they have managed to create a country which you prefer to live in than your own. Whose the stupid one in all this?

Thankfully, intelligence doesn't always equate to making a nice country . . . if it did, we'd all be back in our home countries.

[Dap]

"Thai's don't think at all..." You are not unique in using this inane and anything but canny cheap shot. Took you several hours to "think" of it, no doubt.

Not been here long? Or are your rose-tinted glasses still firmly affixed?

They may not think at all according to you, but they have managed to create a country which you prefer to live in than your own. Whose the stupid one in all this?

Thankfully, intelligence doesn't always equate to making a nice country . . . if it did, we'd all be back in our home countries.

Not necessarily, Nice or not, I'd still hate the cold snows of winter

[Markaew]

Another daily and useless headline. I'm bored.

[techboy]

" Dichotomous " who had a dictionary for breakfast then ? The piece seemed like an exercise in trying to us the word as often as possible.

It's a scientifical term used in logic, mathematics, philosophy and linguistics. And he uses this term correcly.

Correct only because it is not entirely incorrect. But it is a poor choice of words because "dichotomy" when talking about people and politics leans more towards insinuating a fraudulent duplicity and this was not what the writer was getting at. Annoyingly the writer seems to think that he has found the holy grail of impressive words.