Kickstarter campaign to make Nazi Chic go out of style in Thailand

[thaibeachlovers]

Another "Nazis in Thailand" thread, Arrrrrrrrgggggggggghhhhhhhh ( sorry, but smileys not working ).

Don't some people have more important issues to pursue?

[7by7]

About the video, I think it would be much better for this plan to be initiated by the Thai government and made a requirement in all schools. They should of course solicit advice internationally such as from the Weisenthal Center.

And the UK, USA, French etc., etc., governments?

Nazi chic is worldwide, not just in Thailand.

[7by7]

Another "Nazis in Thailand" thread, Arrrrrrrrgggggggggghhhhhhhh ( sorry, but smileys not working ).

Don't some people have more important issues to pursue?

Like not opening and posting in threads when the title makes it clear they are of no interest to you?

[Beetlejuice]

The fact is that the sight of Nazi regalia still brings fear and trauma into the hearts and minds of many, much more than the Che and Mao images often displayed as forms of art and tee-shirts.

I understand where you are coming from, particularly as you had relatives who died in the Holocaust.

But many people who had relatives who died in the Gulags or suffered in the Cultural Revolution feel the same way when they see images of Che, Stalin, Mao and other communist leaders "displayed as forms of art and tee-shirts."

Of course, it is unlikely that any of these will be posting on Thai Visa.

The Thai youth, and the youth in other Asian countries, are simply following western fashions when they wear or display such images.

Maybe it is this slavish following of western fashions which is the real problem?

Yes I agree, but try to understand this:

No event in all of world history, except for the reign of Jesus Christ, for those who believe in him, I believe he existed anyway although I`m not religious, ever had the affect on people so much as during WW2. Why, because this emanated in Europe, so of course more Westerners are going to be opposed to these Hitler and Nazi images than they would regarding Gulags or towards those who suffered in the Cultural Revolutions of Che, Stalin and Mao, although again I fully understand where you`re coming from and your logic here. This is probably why the Thais cannot relate to these images or feel the same way as many Westerners do, so I don`t hold any bad feelings towards the Thais for this reason.

It`s all a case of placing everything in perspective and trying to see all sides of the argument and realising why to some these images stand for fear and evil and to others they mean nothing. It all depends on what side on the fence people are standing.

Edited December 12, 2013 by Beetlejuice

[Jingthing]

About the video, I think it would be much better for this plan to be initiated by the Thai government and made a requirement in all schools. They should of course solicit advice internationally such as from the Weisenthal Center.

And the UK, USA, French etc., etc., governments?

Nazi chic is worldwide, not just in Thailand.

This topic is about Thailand.

There may be neo-Nazi political movements in other countries but here we are talking about Hitler and Nazi symbols being used for fashion, advertising campaigns, and to be associated with being cool and trendy.

Yes that has happened in other countries to some degree, but I think there is evidence (I see it on the streets) that this is a strong recent trend specifically here in Thailand.

It's already established that the actual Nazi history is not covered generally in the Thai educational system.

I think it should be. It seems you do not for whatever reason. We'll never agree on that.

Edited December 12, 2013 by Jingthing

[thaibeachlovers]

Another "Nazis in Thailand" thread, Arrrrrrrrgggggggggghhhhhhhh ( sorry, but smileys not working ).

Don't some people have more important issues to pursue?

Like not opening and posting in threads when the title makes it clear they are of no interest to you?

Lots of people do that on the threads I start, so just getting my own back, LOL.

[thaibeachlovers]

The fact is that the sight of Nazi regalia still brings fear and trauma into the hearts and minds of many, much more than the Che and Mao images often displayed as forms of art and tee-shirts.

I understand where you are coming from, particularly as you had relatives who died in the Holocaust.

But many people who had relatives who died in the Gulags or suffered in the Cultural Revolution feel the same way when they see images of Che, Stalin, Mao and other communist leaders "displayed as forms of art and tee-shirts."

Of course, it is unlikely that any of these will be posting on Thai Visa.

The Thai youth, and the youth in other Asian countries, are simply following western fashions when they wear or display such images.

Maybe it is this slavish following of western fashions which is the real problem?

Yes I agree, but try to understand this:

No event in all of world history, except for the reign of Jesus Christ, for those who believe in him, I believe he existed anyway although I`m not religious, ever had the affect on people so much as during WW2. Why, because this emanated in Europe, so of course more Westerners are going to be opposed to these Hitler and Nazi images than they would regarding Gulags or towards those who suffered in the Cultural Revolutions of Che, Stalin and Mao, although again I fully understand where you`re coming from and your logic here. This is probably why the Thais cannot relate to these images or feel the same way as many Westerners do, so I don`t hold any bad feelings towards the Thais for this reason.

It`s all a case of placing everything in perspective and trying to see all sides of the argument and realising why to some these images stand for fear and evil and to others they mean nothing. It all depends on what side on the fence people are standing.

<No event in all of world history............................................, ever had the affect on people so much as during WW2.

Hmmmmmm. I'd say the Great War had more effect, and probably the Black death had more effect than the Great War.

In context, Ghengis Khan was probably worse than Hitler, Stalin and Mao put together for numbers of people killed by proportion of population.

In a few hundred years or so, Hitler will probably be no more significant than Odoacer.

[Jingthing]

I think you're wrong TBL.

Mass murder of civilians and genocide was nothing new in history.

But mass killing and genocide done in using modern industrial age methods by a so called very civilized modern western society was a new thing in history.

When teaching about the holocaust in schools, connections should indeed be made to genocidal events throughout history including any recent or current ones.

I also think they should show the film about the mass murders in Indonesia (political and against ethnic Chinese) in Thai schools: The Act of Killing.

That would hit much closer to home for Thai people.

[Kilgore Trout]

 

Kilgore Trout

Glad you feel that way. I'm sure then, that you would back my idea for "Pol Pots Burgers" in England. Our motto would be "burgers with a 1/4 pound of pure beef straight from the killing fields."

What happens in England is not my concern, you sell what you want, if it sells great.

But when the OP posted to the issue, I responded with my opinion!

As the last time I was in the states there was a Nazi demonstration marching under a White Power flag in full Nazi uniform, protesting against "Illegal Immigration" in the US on the steps of the state capital in Phoenix Arizona under the protection of the Phoenix Police Department. There was between 75 to 100 Nazi uniformed demonstrators, not a mere drop in the bucket.

Nothing on the OP's video came close to the real danger of Western rising Nazism,. or anything relating to that issue here in Thailand!

I will let you worry about "Pol Pot Burgers" and the English eating and business habits and I will worry about my concern of Nazism flourishing in my home country.

Cheers

 

Are you for real? There is a HUGE difference between the two. We expect that behavior from a bunch of nazi idiots in the US; if you think there is a real problem then you are clueless. A very small minority of fools exercising their right to free speech which as I don't agree with what they say, I do believe they have a right to say it. That is what freedom is all about.

On the other hand here in Thailand you have nitwits who are using very powerful symbols of hatred and destruction to make cutesie shows and t-shirts and when told that it is extremely offensive they just giggle and say "I don't know."

You are comparing apples to oranges here.

[Beetlejuice]

<No event in all of world history............................................, ever had the affect on people so much as during WW2.

Hmmmmmm. I'd say the Great War had more effect, and probably the Black death had more effect than the Great War.

In context, Ghengis Khan was probably worse than Hitler, Stalin and Mao put together for numbers of people killed by proportion of population.

In a few hundred years or so, Hitler will probably be no more significant than Odoacer.

There are some people who just don`t get it.

I don`t give a toss about Ghengis Khan or mao zhi tung and his little red book simply because I can`t relate to them and making an educated guess that probably applies to most Westerners. The black death was a natural disaster and did not involve the conflicts and mass murders of innocent people by an evil regime, unless of course you do not consider the Nazis as being an evil regime.

I had relatives fighting on both sides during the first world war, my Dad and uncles fought in the second world war so therefore I can relate to both the world wars. I would be extremely upset and offended if I saw images of WW1 veterans being ridiculed on some crap regalia.

Here is an example for you: if you were to wear a loud tee-shirt with a large printed image of a WW2 Japanese imperial solder on it and was traveling in a south American country, I doubt if anyone would give you a second glance and probably regard you as some sort of tronk tourist. Now try the same thing in China where the atrocities made against them by the Japanese during WW2 still holds painful memories, then see how far you`re get?

We are mostly affected in life by events and images that can be personal to us or that we can relate to. The same applies to the Thais. Do you get it now or how much clearer would you like this explained?

Edited December 12, 2013 by Beetlejuice

[7by7]

About the video, I think it would be much better for this plan to be initiated by the Thai government and made a requirement in all schools. They should of course solicit advice internationally such as from the Weisenthal Center.

And the UK, USA, French etc., etc., governments?

Nazi chic is worldwide, not just in Thailand.

This topic is about Thailand.

There may be neo-Nazi political movements in other countries but here we are talking about Hitler and Nazi symbols being used for fashion, advertising campaigns, and to be associated with being cool and trendy.

Yes that has happened in other countries to some degree, but I think there is evidence (I see it on the streets) that this is a strong recent trend specifically here in Thailand.

I see it, and have seen it since the 1970's, on the streets of London everyday. Not from Neo Nazi groups, but from young people who, like the young Thais we are talking about, think it is cool and trendy.

It is true, though, that no one in the west would use Hitler or the Nazis in an advertising campaign. Although there have been lots of spoof ads posted on the net.

"It's already established that the actual Nazi history is not covered generally in the Thai educational system."

I know; in fact I said so in my first post in this topic.

"I think it should be. It seems you do not for whatever reason."

Where have I said that?

I did ask you whether you felt that what you propose for Thai schools should apply to western countries, too.

I ask because, whilst I can only speak for the UK, it currently isn't compulsory and hasn't been for some time.

I did study the rise of Nazism (and the Russian and Chinese revolutions) as part of my specialist 20th century history 'O' level course, that was 40+ years ago. Those of my contemporaries who did not do history at this level did not do so; although most of them were aware of the history to some extent as, like me, they had parents who were alive at time; many, like my father, serving in one of the armed forces during the war; volunteering in September 1939 in his case.

These days, it is the same. Unless a pupil chooses to study 20th century history, they are not taught about Nazism or the rise of Hitler in UK schools.

[thaibeachlovers]

<No event in all of world history............................................, ever had the affect on people so much as during WW2.

Hmmmmmm. I'd say the Great War had more effect, and probably the Black death had more effect than the Great War.

In context, Ghengis Khan was probably worse than Hitler, Stalin and Mao put together for numbers of people killed by proportion of population.

In a few hundred years or so, Hitler will probably be no more significant than Odoacer.

There are some people who just don`t get it.

I don`t give a toss about Ghengis Khan or mao zhi tung and his little red book simply because I can`t relate to them and making an educated guess that probably applies to most Westerners. The black death was a natural disaster and did not involve the conflicts and mass murders of innocent people by an evil regime, unless of course you do not consider the Nazis as being an evil regime.

I had relatives fighting on both sides during the first world war, my Dad and uncles fought in the second world war so therefore I can relate to both the world wars. I would be extremely upset and offended if I saw images of WW1 veterans being ridiculed on some crap regalia.

Here is an example for you: if you were to wear a loud tee-shirt with a large printed image of a WW2 Japanese imperial solder on it and was traveling in a south American country, I doubt if anyone would give you a second glance and probably regard you as some sort of tronk tourist. Now try the same thing in China where the atrocities made against them by the Japanese during WW2 still holds painful memories, then see how far you`re get?

We are mostly affected in life by events and images that can be personal to us or that we can relate to. The same applies to the Thais. Do you get it now or how much clearer would you like this explained?

I would agree with you.

A Chechen would be more concerned about Stalin than Hitler.

An Armenian would be more concerned about Turkey than Hitler.

ergo, the Thais don't give a monkey's about Hitler.

As a visitor to Thailand, all of us on visas don't have any right to interfere with them, whatever our opinions. We can say we don't like it, but we shouldn't expect them to give a rat's bottom as to our opinions.

[greg71]

Maybe the Thais will have there own kickstarter fund against Che Guevara Chic.

[Kilgore Trout]

<No event in all of world history............................................, ever had the affect on people so much as during WW2.

Hmmmmmm. I'd say the Great War had more effect, and probably the Black death had more effect than the Great War.

In context, Ghengis Khan was probably worse than Hitler, Stalin and Mao put together for numbers of people killed by proportion of population.

In a few hundred years or so, Hitler will probably be no more significant than Odoacer.

There are some people who just don`t get it.

I don`t give a toss about Ghengis Khan or mao zhi tung and his little red book simply because I can`t relate to them and making an educated guess that probably applies to most Westerners. The black death was a natural disaster and did not involve the conflicts and mass murders of innocent people by an evil regime, unless of course you do not consider the Nazis as being an evil regime.

I had relatives fighting on both sides during the first world war, my Dad and uncles fought in the second world war so therefore I can relate to both the world wars. I would be extremely upset and offended if I saw images of WW1 veterans being ridiculed on some crap regalia.

Here is an example for you: if you were to wear a loud tee-shirt with a large printed image of a WW2 Japanese imperial solder on it and was traveling in a south American country, I doubt if anyone would give you a second glance and probably regard you as some sort of tronk tourist. Now try the same thing in China where the atrocities made against them by the Japanese during WW2 still holds painful memories, then see how far you`re get?

We are mostly affected in life by events and images that can be personal to us or that we can relate to. The same applies to the Thais. Do you get it now or how much clearer would you like this explained?

I would agree with you.

A Chechen would be more concerned about Stalin than Hitler.

An Armenian would be more concerned about Turkey than Hitler.

ergo, the Thais don't give a monkey's about Hitler.

As a visitor to Thailand, all of us on visas don't have any right to interfere with them, whatever our opinions. We can say we don't like it, but we shouldn't expect them to give a rat's bottom as to our opinions.

I agree with you there, same can be said about fools who dare to criticize the USA whilst standing foot on our sacred soil stained with the blood of patriots.

Our opinion that we know what is best for the world should not be argued with and people shouldn't expect us to give a rat's bottom as to the opinion of foreign aliens.

Edited December 12, 2013 by Kilgore Trout

[Beetlejuice]

<No event in all of world history............................................, ever had the affect on people so much as during WW2.

Hmmmmmm. I'd say the Great War had more effect, and probably the Black death had more effect than the Great War.

In context, Ghengis Khan was probably worse than Hitler, Stalin and Mao put together for numbers of people killed by proportion of population.

In a few hundred years or so, Hitler will probably be no more significant than Odoacer.

There are some people who just don`t get it.

I don`t give a toss about Ghengis Khan or mao zhi tung and his little red book simply because I can`t relate to them and making an educated guess that probably applies to most Westerners. The black death was a natural disaster and did not involve the conflicts and mass murders of innocent people by an evil regime, unless of course you do not consider the Nazis as being an evil regime.

I had relatives fighting on both sides during the first world war, my Dad and uncles fought in the second world war so therefore I can relate to both the world wars. I would be extremely upset and offended if I saw images of WW1 veterans being ridiculed on some crap regalia.

Here is an example for you: if you were to wear a loud tee-shirt with a large printed image of a WW2 Japanese imperial solder on it and was traveling in a south American country, I doubt if anyone would give you a second glance and probably regard you as some sort of tronk tourist. Now try the same thing in China where the atrocities made against them by the Japanese during WW2 still holds painful memories, then see how far you`re get?

We are mostly affected in life by events and images that can be personal to us or that we can relate to. The same applies to the Thais. Do you get it now or how much clearer would you like this explained?

I would agree with you.

A Chechen would be more concerned about Stalin than Hitler.

An Armenian would be more concerned about Turkey than Hitler.

ergo, the Thais don't give a monkey's about Hitler.

As a visitor to Thailand, all of us on visas don't have any right to interfere with them, whatever our opinions. We can say we don't like it, but we shouldn't expect them to give a rat's bottom as to our opinions.

Exactly.

Providing the Thais don`t suddenly dawn on Nazi uniforms and start claiming they are the master race and wanting world domination, then we can moan about it and show our disapproval, even wave our fists at them and jump in the air, but really have no rights to demand that they cease and desist their practice of using Nazi images for certain business advertising and fashion clothing. Exactly the points I have been trying to make, only you explained it much better and easier.

[Kilgore Trout]

There are some people who just don`t get it.

I don`t give a toss about Ghengis Khan or mao zhi tung and his little red book simply because I can`t relate to them and making an educated guess that probably applies to most Westerners. The black death was a natural disaster and did not involve the conflicts and mass murders of innocent people by an evil regime, unless of course you do not consider the Nazis as being an evil regime.

I had relatives fighting on both sides during the first world war, my Dad and uncles fought in the second world war so therefore I can relate to both the world wars. I would be extremely upset and offended if I saw images of WW1 veterans being ridiculed on some crap regalia.

Here is an example for you: if you were to wear a loud tee-shirt with a large printed image of a WW2 Japanese imperial solder on it and was traveling in a south American country, I doubt if anyone would give you a second glance and probably regard you as some sort of tronk tourist. Now try the same thing in China where the atrocities made against them by the Japanese during WW2 still holds painful memories, then see how far you`re get?

We are mostly affected in life by events and images that can be personal to us or that we can relate to. The same applies to the Thais. Do you get it now or how much clearer would you like this explained?

I would agree with you.

A Chechen would be more concerned about Stalin than Hitler.

An Armenian would be more concerned about Turkey than Hitler.

ergo, the Thais don't give a monkey's about Hitler.

As a visitor to Thailand, all of us on visas don't have any right to interfere with them, whatever our opinions. We can say we don't like it, but we shouldn't expect them to give a rat's bottom as to our opinions.

Exactly.

Providing the Thais don`t suddenly dawn on Nazi uniforms and start claiming they are the master race and wanting world domination, then we can moan about it and show our disapproval, even wave our fists at them and jump in the air, but really have no rights to demand that they cease and desist their practice of using Nazi images for certain business advertising and fashion clothing. Exactly the points I have been trying to make, only you explained it much better and easier.

You guys are totally missing the point. Nobody said they CAN"T do it, but if they do they should expect to be criticized for it, and rightly so.

They should also expect to be looked down upon for it and be perceived as fools.

I'm pretty sure even a 5th grader could figure that one out. it's really sad that you can't.

[GreenSnapper]

Maybe the Thais will have there own kickstarter fund against Che Guevara Chic.

Good example.

Che Guevara is still a hero in many Westerners "progressive" eyes, while in reality he was a mass killer of the worst kind. He also founded the concentration camps for gays in Cuba which were closed by Castro after his death.

[Beetlejuice]

You guys are totally missing the point. Nobody said they CAN"T do it, but if they do they should expect to be criticized for it, and rightly so.

They should also expect to be looked down upon for it and be perceived as fools.

I'm pretty sure even a 5th grader could figure that one out. it's really sad that you can't.

When the Thais do these sorts of things, they are looked upon as stupid and being a bunch of fools, plus admitting they commit these acts out of ignorance gives them even less credibility on the International scene.

Sooner or later the Thais will grow up and this Nazi chic fashion trend will fade away, especially if it offends the Western tourists and we all know how much the Thais worry about what affects their tourist industry.

[rgs2001uk]

You guys are totally missing the point. Nobody said they CAN"T do it, but if they do they should expect to be criticized for it, and rightly so.

They should also expect to be looked down upon for it and be perceived as fools.

I'm pretty sure even a 5th grader could figure that one out. it's really sad that you can't.

When the Thais do these sorts of things, they are looked upon as stupid and being a bunch of fools, plus admitting they commit these acts out of ignorance gives them even less credibility on the International scene.

Sooner or later the Thais will grow up and this Nazi chic fashion trend will fade away, especially if it offends the Western tourists and we all know how much the Thais worry about what affects their tourist industry.

Personally I am more offended by the K-Pop fad, cant wait for it to fade away.

I aint a western tourist, but a westerner who lives here, it DOES NOT OFFEND ME, sorry cant speak for everyone else.

How about asking the Indian tourist (BJP) supporters if it offends them.

How about the visitors from the ME?

How about the Asian visitors?

From what I have witnessed over the years, the westerners have their own problems, I doubt very much if the Thais are overly concerned, Asia is booming, the west is in decline.

Please dont over estimate your own (self imagined ) importance to the Thai economy.

[7by7]

If we demand Thais ban things which offend us, perhaps we should ban things which offend them?

The King and I springs immediately to mind.

[rgs2001uk]

If we demand Thais ban things which offend us, perhaps we should ban things which offend them?

The King and I springs immediately to mind.

How about faux Thai restaurants in the west.

Jeez a while back some guy was saying the Pad Thai you get in Thailand was fake, because it didnt come with tomato sauce like he had it served to him in the west.

[NomadJoe]

Please go home you stupid woman, head back to your PC paradise.

&lt;deleted&gt; cant she see the parallels, she wants to behave in the same manner as those she says offend her.

The Facist Nazi fashion police, you really couldnt make this up.

Did you even read it? She is trying to educate and get people talking about it so people can make educated decisions about it. That is the opposite of Hitler and Nazi Germany. If people want to wear it because they support killing jews, supporting hate, or whatever, then fine, that should be any ones right. But to be ignorantly highly offending millions is sad and embarrassing for Thais and Thailand.

I don`t believe that the displaying of Nazi regalia in the United States, Britain and many other European countries with the exception of Germany is illegal. Also the so-called neo Nazis are still flourishing in many Western countries, then we have the right wing extremists such as, David Puke, Nick Griffin and many other cranks that openly preach the Nazi principle in the West and many Nazi fanatical groups that are using the Internet as a resource to spread the word and their warped opinions to the masses worldwide, plus countless books sold openly in bookshops and online written by neo Nazis in order to spread the word, yet, hardly anyone of prominence seems to be opposing them. Western Governments seem more interested in eliminating porn sites from the web and those created by the extremists are considered low on the agenda of priorities.

So why should Thailand not follow suit? Or should be rather; practice what we preach and first set their own houses in order before trying to install into the Thai minds what is acceptable and what is not.

Having a Jewish mother (and proud) and having lost many relatives during the Holocaust I obviously loath and detest the Nazis in whatever shape and form that appear in, would love to see them eradicated from the face of the Earth, would oppose these groups whenever possible because the fact is that if Germany would have won the war I wouldn’t be here now and it upsets and grieves me to see this sort of crap happening in Thailand. But the one thing I am not and that’s a hypocrite and believe that the first port of call for people like this Lindsay Elef should be the home front and not try to tell others to be good boys and girls and not to do what we do and please play some other sorts of games.

And as for the Thai girl students dressed in Nazi uniform, I would pay handsomely for an hour with one of those, providing she kept her uniform on of course.

You wish the eradication of a group of people based on their beliefs, yet you claim to not be a hypocrite. Hmmm...

"Hardly anyone in prominence" appears to be opposing them because there is not much to oppose. You average person understand that there are always going to be people with irrational opinions on the fringes of society, and generally the only people they can influence are their own children.

I thought it was pretty well understood that the issue in Thailand is ignorance of the symbology and not a burgeoning Neo-Nazi movement. Again, there is no point in discussing western Neo-Nazi's in a thread about Thailands Nazi Chic problem. They are not connected.

All that is being attempted here is education as to what the symbology represents to pretty much the rest of the world. No one is trying to install into Thai minds "what is acceptable and what is not."

I agree with most of what you say, but sorry, these Nazi images portrayed in Thailand are definitely connected with Western Nazis past and present because the West is where there Nazi influences and images are copied from and while these images and influences are prevalent in the West, than these factors will have a knock on affect and will be picked up by the easy influenced and the ignorant, remembering of course that most of the Thais who have displayed these images one way or another have all claimed ignorance as the number one reason for the way they portray the Nazis, their words not mine, so I am not Thai bashing here.

No doubts this is a problem and my point is the first priority is that the problem has to eradicated from the source and then secondary from the overspill of this crap in order to clear the world of the evil Nazi legacy completely, which I doubt will ever happen, something like a cancer that can never be completely cleared from the system and has no place in any civilised society.

So what you are saying is we need is some final solution to this Nazi question.

[kikoman]

 

Are you for real? There is a HUGE difference between the two. We expect that behavior from a bunch of nazi idiots in the US; if you think there is a real problem then you are clueless. A very small minority of fools exercising their right to free speech which as I don't agree with what they say, I do believe they have a right to say it. That is what freedom is all about.

On the other hand here in Thailand you have nitwits who are using very powerful symbols of hatred and destruction to make cutesie shows and t-shirts and when told that it is extremely offensive they just giggle and say "I don't know."

You are comparing apples to oranges here.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Kilgore

Why is marching in a military formation, under the White Power banner, in full Nazi uniform in the United States at an "Anti Immigration rally "acceptable" in a country that lost 300,000 of it sons KIA fighting against the Nazi and other during WWII.

Thai youth wearing Nazi T-shirts in their country Thailand, a country that was not involved with fighting the Nazi in that war. is considered more of an affront to Falang's. As we are talking about a very small minority of Thai youth exercising their rights to free speech..Which they have the right to do in their own country and as you stated "that is what freedom is all about"

Are you for real? as my family members fought in Europe in WWII and I as a US Veteran, as such I have earned the right to criticize the Nazi movement in my home country. Your comparison of apples to oranges leave much to be desired, and your ethnocentric logic that it is OK for White Nazi in the US to march in full uniform and be considered just some crazies exercising their (rightful) right to freedom of expression.

That brown Thai's in their own country Thailand, do not have the same rights to freedom of expression, that their fashion statement is unacceptable to you a foreigner in their country!

I do differ with your opinion!

Cheers

Edited December 12, 2013 by kikoman

[Jingthing]

This topic is being outrageously DISTORTED (predictable). The OP topic has NOTHING to do with passing laws restricting additional freedom of expression in Thailand related to Hitler and Nazi specific symbols and fashion. It is simply about the issue of EDUCATING more Thai people, particularly the young ones, about what these Hitler and Nazi imagery actually MEANS. In this case a video. The idea that these topics should be added to the general Thai school curriculum isn't exactly new but it isn't exactly a bad idea either. You can be for or against that, but that's the core of the topic. Not some imaginary and overblown hyperbole about foreigners trying to suggest Thailand pass any new LAWS on these matters. Cheers.

Edited December 12, 2013 by Jingthing

[7by7]

So, if the Thai youth were educated according to your curriculum then it would be acceptable to you for them to wear Nazi Chic?

Why should what is essentially European history be added to the Thai school curriculum? How many schools in the west teach Thai history; or any S.E. Asian history which did not directly involve western powers; i.e. the Second World War campaigns and the Vietnam War?

Edited December 12, 2013 by 7by7

[Jingthing]

Legal, yes. Desirable, no. But they'll do what they want in any case. I don't think it's so horrible for the Thai youth to be better educated on what those Hitler and Nazi symbols actually refer to and I find it really bizarre that people here would be so strongly opposed to BASIC relief of mass IGNORANCE! It's weird, really. What are you afraid of here? Does it hurt you if Thai youth are better informed on such matters? Do you enjoy the innocent charm of such mass ignorance? I doubt you find that charming in your home country and yes mass ignorance knows no borders. Why charming here? Double standard much.

Edited December 12, 2013 by Jingthing

[7by7]

Putting words in my mouth again; but I understand that you're good at that.

I did not say that it would be horrible for Thai students to study European history; I simply asked why they should be forced to do so to satisfy your cultural imperialism.

No school system can educate all their pupils about everything. Asian history is far more relevant to Thais than European history; just as European history is more relevant to Europeans than Asian history.

In the UK, the compulsory history curriculum is almost entirely British history; it is only when history becomes a vocational choice that it expands to cover more global history.

I suspect that the same is true for the US, Canada, Australia etc.

Why do you demand that Thai should be forced to learn our history rather than their own?

Of course, if a Thai student chooses to study, for example, 20th century European history, good for them; and good for a western student who chooses to study Thai history.

[Jingthing]

More hyperbole!

Demand.

Forced.

Nothing of the kind.

Yes, I think it would be a good thing for Thai people to not be so incredibly IGNORANT about this topic and for that to happen involves education. Not saying spend a week on it. So sue me. But please stop exaggerating.

[7by7]

More hyperbole!

Well, you would know about hyperbole; being the expert.

Perhaps you could address my points rather than dodging the issue?

But that's not your style.

Edited December 12, 2013 by 7by7

[Jingthing]

More hyperbole!

Well, you would know about hyperbole; being the expert.

I see you've given up on actually advocating for your point, whatever that actually was.