Thais advised to learn more about Asean countries

[webfact]

'Get to know the neighbours'
Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation


Thai ambassador to Myanmar Pissanu Suvanajata says greater understanding will make dealings much easier and better.

Thais advised to learn more about Asean countries

BANGKOK: -- Thais will need to "reset" their mindset and conduct constructive, well-focused research if they hope to prosper in the Asean community era.

"You need to know and understand your neighbours," Pissanu Suvanajata, the Thai ambassador to Myanmar, said at a national research conference recently at Naresuan University under the theme "Research Networking toward Asean Knowledge Development".

Myanmar was far different from what most Thais perceive it to be, so all parties should consider doing research that will help Thais get accurate information and expand their horizons.

"Future social, language, cultural and anthropological research should promote constructive knowledge for the good ties between Thailand and neighbouring countries such as Myanmar," he said.

When the relationships are good, everything else will naturally be fine too. "We may even be able to achieve the impossible," he said.

For strategic purposes, research should ensure Thais get the whole picture of what goes on in Myanmar instead of seeing just bits or parts of what has actually happened.

"Don't focus just on one single project. Thais need to see the bigger picture of what's really going on there," he said.

While the Thilawa Special Economic Zone located just 26 kilometres from Yangon has a good chance of becoming a new manufacturing hub in the region and attract much attention, Thais should not overlook the many other development projects in Myanmar. Many infrastructure projects have been undertaken, and this looks set to affect nearby countries in a good way.

Myanmar is clearly an interesting investment destination with 60 million people and a growing economy. Last year, its economy surged 6.8 per cent and this year it looks set to grow even more.

The more knowledge Thais have the better the chance of them being able to benefit.

Thai researchers should also explore ways to engage neighbouring countries in creating mutual benefits.

"Research questions should not be just about where to find business opportunities. They must also address how Thais should cooperate with their neighbours," he said. The Asean community is designed to foster and combine the strengths of Asean nations, he said.

For example, thanaka, the yellow cosmetic paste widely used in Myanmar and touted by locals as a beauty secret - could be a subject for Thai research.

The findings could pave the way for Thailand and Myanmar to boost the commercial value of thanaka-related products.

When Thailand has the right research questions, the end results would improve.

Myanmar people have good attitudes towards Thais. That is something that will give Thais an advantage over the many other nations that also want to invest in Myanmar.

Since the Asean community was going to begin next year, Thais should also realise that it was by no means just about economic aspects.

"In Thailand, we have heard only about the AEC. But the truth is that the AEC is just a part of what is going to happen," he said.

The Asean community would be composed of three main pillars - the AEC, Asean security community and Asean socio-cultural community.

If Thais continued to see the Asean community as the AEC, they would miss out on other necessary aspects, Pissanu said. He said while efforts to prepare Thais for the AEC focus on encouraging them to compete against fellow states, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam have already forged closer ties.

"Why don't we think about how to cooperate so that we can efficiently deal with the giants that are coming into the Asean region?" Pissanu said. With better research and better understanding of other Asean nations and the Asean community, Thais would change their mindset in a way that would usher Thailand better into the Asean era, he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Get-to-know-the-neighbours-30239599.html


-- The Nation 2014-07-28

[Seastallion]

Myanmar? Where's that? I know it is near Thailand because they walk here....and I'm proud of THAT piece of deductive reasoning! Surely that display of brain power should excuse me from further thinking.

[kurnell]

For those that like to learn, no problem. Sadly some locals believe that they are still at war with the 'Burmese' and would rather spit on them than learn about their culture.

[siampolee]

Great idea notwithstanding the fact that ASEAN was inaugurated in the mid 1990's yet to date there seems to be blissful ignorance concerning the neighbouring countries,is this the result of a deliberate government policy or a failed inward looking xenophobic education system ?

All rather like standing on the platform at the railway station looking at the red light drawing away from you and thinking, ''I should have been on that train.''.

For example, thanaka, the yellow cosmetic paste widely used in Myanmar and touted by locals as a beauty secret - could be a subject for Thai research.

Yet again in the quote above we see vividly the Thai ideals and practices of imitation as opposed to innovation.

"Why don't we think about how to cooperate so that we can efficiently deal with the giants that are coming into the Asean region?" Pissanu said. With better research and better understanding of other Asean nations and the Asean community, Thais would change their mindset in a way that would usher Thailand better into the Asean era, he said.

Above in the quote there are five words that flummox the Thai's '' Think, co-operate, understand efficiently, research.''

Interesting times are approaching rapidly for Thailand and its membership of ASEAN.

Edited July 27, 2014 by siampolee

[NongKhaiKid]

Isn't it for all others to understand LoS and Thainess ?

The AEC could come as a major shock and I can't see Thailand being ready to accept what's needed.

[Lingba]

Thais should just be advised to learn more...period!

[jaltsc]

"Future social, language, cultural and anthropological research should promote constructive knowledge for the good ties between Thailand and neighbouring countries such as Myanmar,"

Shouldn't Thais first promote constructive knowledge for the good ties with people from other parts of their own country? There is no better example than the ongoing conflict between people/cultures of the north, central and south of Thailand. Everyone appears to be pointing fingers at each other for every problem with no effort to come together and compromise. There is reason to believe that this attitude and lack of cooperation will prevent Thailand from being a successful member of ASEAN.

[noitom]

Thais need to "learn" more. Tall orders.

[BSJ]

555 So much humour this morning in many threads and I haven't fully woken up yet!

[northernjohn]

I had to laugh when I saw the topic.

Here on an English board where half the posters know nothing about the other countries. They think Thailand is the most corrupt and the drivers the worst also the Thais are not friendly.

[Payboy]

Thais would change their mindset.

That's really talking out of the ASEAN.

[WhizBang]

Thais advised to learn more about Asean countries

I think the situitation can be summed up more succinctly... Thais advised to learn more.

[selftaopath]

Thais should just be advised to learn more...period!

But would that be Thainess?

[FireMedic]

I can't wait to see all this unfold. I already know now, in a few years all the Thais will be sitting back and complaining that no one ever told them how this would work out.

[JeremyBowskill]

Or just learn more......

[toybits]

Too little - too late. After all those movies about the Thais fighting with the Burmese or some other neighbor - does the OP really or the Thai Ambassador to Myanmar really think this would make a substantial difference?

[uptheos]

Best to start simply by getting them to know where Thailand is first.

Very few could point Thailand out on a blank map, try it for yourselves.

Once they know where they are and have some idea of its size....

...then other countries can be introduced one by one, until all ASEAN members are covered.

Might take a while

[Rimbuman]

For now it seems to be hopeless, good luck

[MrBrad]

When I was here in 1994 studying at Chiang Mai University, I was astonished to discover that foreign languages of Thailand's neighboring countries were not taught. No Burmese, no Khmer, no Malay, no Vietnamese, and not even Lao. That fact alone really opened my eyes to how insulated the mindset of Thailand was and remains today. How can this society be an active member of the world at large or even the region if the people are so uneducated and reluctant to learn about their next-door-neighbors!

[chotthee]

Soon, both junta will agree on a Union.

The Union of Burma & Thailand.

[daveAustin]

Thais, Thais, Thais, Thais, Thais and nothing about what THEY could do for ASEAN!

[oneday]

...and thus the shortsightedness of the Thai government is demonstrated once again. Why limit it to learning more about the countries around Thailand. Is it just too difficult to open yourselves up to learning about the world?

[Nampetch]

Most of what the Ambassador says is right. Unfortunately, it should have been said 15 years ago. If it had been, today's university students and tomorrow's workforce would have a better understanding. Thailand has not prepared for ASEAN, in any way, shape or form, in all reality.

[BudRight]

I'm not sure Thais will find learning about ASEAN countries 'fun.' It may be a hard sell.

[Thaiberius]

I can't remember ever seeing a Thai read a book.

[Yann55]

What bothers me here is that some big shot is again using this incredibly patronizing tone on his fellow countrymen.

While he's at it, why doesn't he say things like 'poverty is a serious problem in this country and Thais should do something about it' ?

Where are young Thais likely to learn about other Asean countries in the first place ? AT SCHOOL. Who runs most of the schools here ? THE STATE. Doesn't that say it all ?

Especially when it comes to Myanmar, Thai kids are brainwashed into viewing that country as their hereditary, arch-enemy. They are also brainwashed into thinking that Thailand is the Center of the Universe, so why would they bother to learn anything about those lesser countries around them ? Not that this doesn't happen in other parts of the world, because it does, but there are degrees. Here, it's really strong. Patriotism is understandable, if not really justifiable, but nationalism is a plague.

Edited July 28, 2014 by Yann55

[trainman34014]

Education, education, education ! How can Thai teachers teach anything other then 'Thainess' when the majority of them have never even been outside the country themselves or had any interest in the outside world. Generation after generation of insular people's brainwashed into believing that there is no useful purpose to anything or anyone outside of 'This great Nation'.

People like the writer of this article have been fortunate to experience other countries and their culture and so speak from those experience's but they are talking to a deaf audience. Schools and peoples homes are where kids learn from and sadly for the most part neither are up to it, or up for it.

[theoldgit]

Post in breach of Forum Rules removed.

11) Do not post slurs, degrading or overly negative comments directed towards Thailand, specific locations, Thai institutions such as the judicial or law enforcement system, Thai culture, Thai people or any other group on the basis of race, nationality, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

[nong38]

Well they could start with Asean but a bit more world knowledge would not harm either. Thais do seem to be a bit "flat earth" and "there is nothing out there past our borders" approach in this respect. It needs to be fitted into the education system somehow with teachers who WANT to tell of the rest of the world in a way that makes the students want to know more. With the Thai interest in the English Premier League that would seem to be an easy place to start with just where are Liverpool, Manchester, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham?

On the other hand perhaps its best to let things be as they always have been, mostly the great uneducated, easier to control, but I think the General might have other ideas and that might be a move forward.

Edited July 28, 2014 by nong38

[englishoak]

Id say Thais would be advised to learn something about ANY other countries let alone Asean.