Worried neighbours come knocking: Thai editorial

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Worried neighbours come knocking
The Nation

Asean has delivered a statement of concern over our domestic crisis; those engaged in this fierce battle must listen

BANGKOK: -- Less is better than nothing. The Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) made the right decision in issuing a statement of concern over the political crisis in Thailand.

Sunday's statement from the meeting of regional foreign ministers is mild, but it underlines the trading bloc's readiness to help founding member Thailand take peaceful steps out of its political difficulties.

The Thai crisis is no longer merely a domestic one. It has become a regional issue that is likely affecting Asean affairs. Notably, transport projects for regional connectivity have been delayed because the caretaker and interim Thai governments have lacked the authority to approve them.

Meeting host Myanmar was forced to change the arrangements for Sunday's summit because Thailand was unable until the last minute to name anyone to head its delegation. Even when it did, the Thai representative had no mandate to make any commitments. Luckily no crucial issue arose over which the Thais would have needed a political mandate to say yes or no.

The Asean ministers' statement on Thailand's domestic troubles proved that the grouping still holds a place of central relevance in the region's political and security architecture. It would make no sense for Asean to sit still and do nothing over Thailand when other international organisations, including the United Nations, have reacted in timely manner to the worsening situation.

For Thais, the Asean statement is a positive development - but only if we interpret it correctly. Rejecting it with the narrow-minded view that this crisis is purely a domestic affair would do nothing to lift the country out of trouble.

The key message from Asean is that the bloc is set to lend its full support to a peaceful resolution through "dialogue and in full respect of democratic principles and rule of law".

The warring groups in Thailand who claim to be fighting in good faith for the benefit of all citizens must wage their battles within the framework of democracy and the rule of law, maintaining peace at all costs.

The terms "democracy", "rule of law" and "peace" belong in the same package. Actions taken without the electorate's consent cannot be democratic. "Rule of law" really means implementing the laws with justice and fairness. Twisting the course of justice for political purpose violates the law. To be more precise, a judicial coup in any form violates both the principle of democracy and the rule of law. Finally, peace simply means "no violence". Any moves that threaten to bring violence should be abandoned immediately. Preserving lives, no matter what political ideology people follow, must be the priority for the conflicting parties.

The Asean statement will be all but useless if the citizens of Thailand don't heed it. Good wishes and efforts on the part of our neighbours' leaders and ministers are meaningless unless those of us engaged in this fierce battle listen, and realise the importance to Thailand of its place in the wider regional community.


-- The Nation 2014-05-13

[noitom]

The majority of Thais couldn't care less what ASEAN leaders think. Thais are almost totally detached from the outside world reality. Thais are extremely self absorbed and have a very large over inflated sense of self importance. What ASEAN leaders say and think is of no consequence to Thais. Thais perceive that nothing of the outside world is of relavence to Thais, just take a look at the news everyday.

[NongKhaiKid]

I am no expert on the ASEAN charter but over the years know they have steadfastly declined to comment far less interfere in a member nation's internal problems. When the junta in Myanmar were at their oppressive worst ASEAN were conspicuous by their absence.

Is this ' mild ' statement an indication of real fear that LoS in imploding and for once ASEAN is expressing what normally would have been held back which makes it even more serious ?

[kurnell]

The majority of Thais couldn't care less what ASEAN leaders think. Thais are almost totally detached from the outside world reality. Thais are extremely self absorbed and have a very large over inflated sense of self importance. What ASEAN leaders say and think is of no consequence to Thais. Thais perceive that nothing of the outside world is of relavence to Thais, just take a look at the news everyday.

In a nutshell. This is the perfect description of the average Thai. How the hell did they get like this??

[FireMedic]

I would be willing to wager that if you told 99% of Thais that Thailand will be left behind and not included in the projected prosperity of the region.....most of them would say "what is ASEAN?"

[edgarfriendly]

The majority of Thais couldn't care less what ASEAN leaders think. Thais are almost totally detached from the outside world reality. Thais are extremely self absorbed and have a very large over inflated sense of self importance. What ASEAN leaders say and think is of no consequence to Thais. Thais perceive that nothing of the outside world is of relavence to Thais, just take a look at the news everyday.

In a nutshell. This is the perfect description of the average Thai. How the hell did they get like this?

Fear & Ignorance

Greed & Stupidity

Idolatry & Laziness

In A Nutshell...

[trainman34014]

The majority of Thais couldn't care less what ASEAN leaders think. Thais are almost totally detached from the outside world reality. Thais are extremely self absorbed and have a very large over inflated sense of self importance. What ASEAN leaders say and think is of no consequence to Thais. Thais perceive that nothing of the outside world is of relavence to Thais, just take a look at the news everyday.

In a nutshell. This is the perfect description of the average Thai. How the hell did they get like this??

Simple answer....education. My wife told me until she was eleven she did not know any other country existed; Thailand was the whole World. It was only when a Monk who had traveled visited her school and showed the children a book with pictures of other countries that they were made aware that there was indeed a bigger World out there. She went home excitedly to tell her parents what she had learned and they showed not one scrap of interest !

[Eliot Rosewater]

The majority of Thais couldn't care less what ASEAN leaders think. Thais are almost totally detached from the outside world reality. Thais are extremely self absorbed and have a very large over inflated sense of self importance. What ASEAN leaders say and think is of no consequence to Thais. Thais perceive that nothing of the outside world is of relavence to Thais, just take a look at the news everyday.

In a nutshell. This is the perfect description of the average Thai. How the hell did they get like this?

Fear & Ignorance

Greed & Stupidity

Idolatry & Laziness

In A Nutshell...

Idolatry?

You mean the "cult of personalaties" that seems to have arisen?

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[madmitch]

The majority of Thais couldn't care less what ASEAN leaders think. Thais are almost totally detached from the outside world reality. Thais are extremely self absorbed and have a very large over inflated sense of self importance. What ASEAN leaders say and think is of no consequence to Thais. Thais perceive that nothing of the outside world is of relavence to Thais, just take a look at the news everyday.

In a nutshell. This is the perfect description of the average Thai. How the hell did they get like this??

Simple answer....education. My wife told me until she was eleven she did not know any other country existed; Thailand was the whole World. It was only when a Monk who had traveled visited her school and showed the children a book with pictures of other countries that they were made aware that there was indeed a bigger World out there. She went home excitedly to tell her parents what she had learned and they showed not one scrap of interest !

Yes, the same education system that forces people to pawn their goods to pay for.

[Benmart]

The majority of Thais couldn't care less what ASEAN leaders think. Thais are almost totally detached from the outside world reality. Thais are extremely self absorbed and have a very large over inflated sense of self importance. What ASEAN leaders say and think is of no consequence to Thais. Thais perceive that nothing of the outside world is of relavence to Thais, just take a look at the news everyday.

I've not talked to all the millions of Thais, so I can't speak with as much certainty.

[barnsleyman]

The majority of Thais couldn't care less what ASEAN leaders think. Thais are almost totally detached from the outside world reality. Thais are extremely self absorbed and have a very large over inflated sense of self importance. What ASEAN leaders say and think is of no consequence to Thais. Thais perceive that nothing of the outside world is of relavence to Thais, just take a look at the news everyday.

+1 you are absolutely correct.

[bangon04]

" Luckily no crucial issue arose over which the Thais would have needed a political mandate to say yes or no."

That sounds like a very Asian solution to an Asean problem... Asean will be able to continue quite happily on this basis, and Thailand will be able to continue to ignore Asean whenever it wants. Very reassuring, really.

Asean managed to ignore the Myanmar Junta for years and the Myanmar Junta happily ignored Asean.

So it is Business as usual, it seems......

[belg]

laughstock of asean and further... banana replu farce democrazy at best

[RubbaJohnny]

So must listen

Must be democratic

I somehow think the oath of loyalty of the force majeure is closer to home

[kurnell]

The majority of Thais couldn't care less what ASEAN leaders think. Thais are almost totally detached from the outside world reality. Thais are extremely self absorbed and have a very large over inflated sense of self importance. What ASEAN leaders say and think is of no consequence to Thais. Thais perceive that nothing of the outside world is of relavence to Thais, just take a look at the news everyday.

In a nutshell. This is the perfect description of the average Thai. How the hell did they get like this??

Simple answer....education. My wife told me until she was eleven she did not know any other country existed; Thailand was the whole World. It was only when a Monk who had traveled visited her school and showed the children a book with pictures of other countries that they were made aware that there was indeed a bigger World out there. She went home excitedly to tell her parents what she had learned and they showed not one scrap of interest !

Surely there was the premier league on TV??

[The stuttering parrot]

Good old thai bashing thread just starting up!

I hope the posters on here share their sentiments thoughts and feelings with their wives girlfriends and families!

I happen to have a lot more faith inthe thai people than the generalising that has already raised its head after a few posts.

Go ahead fire away!

[dukeandduke]

Why don't they mind their own business!

Sorry, somehow that copied and pasted from a thread about the U.S. statement.

[focus27]

The majority of Thais couldn't care less what ASEAN leaders think. Thais are almost totally detached from the outside world reality. Thais are extremely self absorbed and have a very large over inflated sense of self importance. What ASEAN leaders say and think is of no consequence to Thais. Thais perceive that nothing of the outside world is of relavence to Thais, just take a look at the news everyday.

In a nutshell. This is the perfect description of the average Thai. How the hell did they get like this??

They were indoctrinated into becoming this way when Thailand was allied to the nationalists and fascists of the Axis powers.

Read these Thai cultural mandates: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_cultural_mandates

I've posted this link before, and no doubt will again, as I hope it will be eye-opening to those who haven't read it.

Oh yeah, these are not just historical documents but are still valid today.

[kurnell]

The majority of Thais couldn't care less what ASEAN leaders think. Thais are almost totally detached from the outside world reality. Thais are extremely self absorbed and have a very large over inflated sense of self importance. What ASEAN leaders say and think is of no consequence to Thais. Thais perceive that nothing of the outside world is of relavence to Thais, just take a look at the news everyday.

In a nutshell. This is the perfect description of the average Thai. How the hell did they get like this??

They were indoctrinated into becoming this way when Thailand was allied to the nationalists and fascists of the Axis powers.

Read these Thai cultural mandates: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_cultural_mandates

I've posted this link before, and no doubt will again, as I hope it will be eye-opening to those who haven't read it.

Oh yeah, these are not just historical documents but are still valid today.

....except for helping the handicapped