Loved and hated, former PM Thaksin is erased from textbook

[webfact]

Loved and Hated, Former Premier of Thailand Is Erased From Textbook
By THOMAS FULLER

BANGKOK — His legacy is inseparable from the past decade of political tumult in Thailand, but high school students will not find the name Thaksin Shinawatra in the history textbooks that the country’s military junta recently ordered schools to use.

Mr. Thaksin’s name was scrubbed from the book by the Ministry of Education, said the textbook’s author, Thanom Anarmwat.

“The officials at the ministry just deleted it, cut it,” he said.

Mr. Thaksin (pronounced TAHK-sin) elicits love or hate in Thailand and not much in between.

To members of the Bangkok establishment who supported the May military coup, which ousted an elected government backed by Mr. Thaksin, he is seen as venal, corrupt and, perhaps most of all, a threat to their power.

To his supporters, Mr. Thaksin was the first politician in Thailand to focus on the needs of voters outside Bangkok and gain their allegiance by delivering universal health care, microloans and more efficient government services.

Full story: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/16/world/asia/loved-and-hated-thaksin-shinawatra-former-premier-of-thailand-is-erased-from-textbook.html

-- The New York Times 2014-09-16

[harrry]

who?

[Jingthing]

New York Times is not my father.

Next! ...

[Cuchulainn]

Glad they dropped the "Dr". That thing wouldn't know a doctorate if it jumped up and bit him on the arrrrse.

[jpinx]

History re-written by the victors - as ever -- the Romans and English were masters of that art in their heyday

[casualbiker]

I wonder if his name was taken out or just requested to NOT be put in!

[dominique355]

If Thaksin and his cronies never existed, why exactly did we have the coup?

[gemini81]

Nice message to him that he no longer exists. Haha. I see the point they're stressing.

[phuketrichard]

i loved this:

Schoolchildren will be trained to act as ambassadors of patriotic spirit, Mr. Winai said. He gave the hypothetical example of students reprimanding adults who fail to stand at attention during the national anthem, which is played on radio stations and on public broadcast systems at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily.

“The students might go and ask, ‘Why aren’t you standing straight when the national anthem is played?’ ” he said.

The junta has issued a list of 12 values for the country, including gratitude toward parents, discipline, morality and the maintaining of “physical and mental strength against greed.” Large banners bearing the list are being posted at schools nationwide.

[Snig27]

One step closer to the abyss.

Still it's not selective - Thaksin may be being cut out of history but so is much of the army's past - kids are not taught about the military's only victories of the 20th Century, the air and ground attacks on Thais, mostly in the North and North East in the 60s, 70s and 80s.

[heybruce]

I like this part:

"Without mentioning either sibling, the textbook does touch on the opposition to Mr. Thaksin’s rule. A subheading describes the protests that preceded his ouster as “the people’s movement against dictatorial power, corruption and embezzlement.”"

So the glorious people's movement removed a dictatorial government and replaced it with, um....

But the important thing is that people will now live happily ever after, provided they keep their mouths shut, and don't work in the tourist industry, and aren't caught up in a morality crusade, and aren't interested in an elected government.

Edited September 16, 2014 by heybruce

[Zooheekock]

This is not "moving on" in the spirit of reconciliation

There was - very obviously - never going to be 'reconciliation' (not that there could be, since a fascist attack on democracy is hardly the material from which reconciliation could ever be made). The entire purpose of the Thai army has only ever been to repress the popular will of the Thai people; anyone who thinks otherwise has been reading too many Thai school textbooks.

[halloween]

I like this part:

"Without mentioning either sibling, the textbook does touch on the opposition to Mr. Thaksin’s rule. A subheading describes the protests that preceded his ouster as “the people’s movement against dictatorial power, corruption and embezzlement.”"

So the glorious people's movement removed a dictatorial government and replaced it with, um....

But the important thing is that people will now live happily ever after, provided they keep their mouths shut, and don't work in the tourist industry, and aren't caught up in a morality crusade, and aren't interested in an elected government.

um...........something better.

[Fat Haggis]

How can you educate the young about corruption without having Thaksin's name as an example of being part of the root cause of it?

Bizarre, but TiT..

[Jingthing]

My perception remains that Thailand was indeed really headed towards civil war. Multiple objective western media news sources reported the same thing. I guess it's probably too early for a final history of that period to be written. It seems it won't be written in THAILAND though!

[Scully]

Not more Thai's growing up not knowing their real history.

[Thailand]

i loved this:

Schoolchildren will be trained to act as ambassadors of patriotic spirit, Mr. Winai said. He gave the hypothetical example of students reprimanding adults who fail to stand at attention during the national anthem, which is played on radio stations and on public broadcast systems at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily.

The students might go and ask, Why arent you standing straight when the national anthem is played? he said.

The junta has issued a list of 12 values for the country, including gratitude toward parents, discipline, morality and the maintaining of physical and mental strength against greed. Large banners bearing the list are being posted at schools nationwide.

Now what were those children in Germany called?

[Jingthing]

i loved this:

Schoolchildren will be trained to act as ambassadors of patriotic spirit, Mr. Winai said. He gave the hypothetical example of students reprimanding adults who fail to stand at attention during the national anthem, which is played on radio stations and on public broadcast systems at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily.

The students might go and ask, Why arent you standing straight when the national anthem is played? he said.

The junta has issued a list of 12 values for the country, including gratitude toward parents, discipline, morality and the maintaining of physical and mental strength against greed. Large banners bearing the list are being posted at schools nationwide.

Now what were those children in Germany called?

If you're suggesting that there is a fascist character to military rules anywhere ... that is not news.

[Jingthing]

Not more Thai's growing up not knowing their real history.

So what else is new?

[Mango Bob]

What about the part with him being found guilty for the land deal. Was that erase from the history books also? I guess it never happen and he should be a free man to return to Thailand.

[ratcatcher]

"Loved and hated,former P.m. Thaksin is erased from text book." Today's news.

"Loved and hated, former P.M. Thaksin is erased." Next week's news.

[Minnehaha]

History re-written by the victors - as ever -- the Romans and English were masters of that art in their heyday

There is truth to this.

Writing history is never easy. But some facts - the name of a prime minister, his election results, pro populist policies including healthcare, his convictions in courts of law, arrest warrants, all seem like a lot to erase. That it is done (presumably) before the next school year starts would be a remarkably fast erasure. I guess it is in line with the day and age we live in.

[Elmer Gantry]

Why is everyone so uptight,we can't change it,like everything else here.We are outsiders looking in.

[Jingthing]

My perception remains that Thailand was indeed really headed towards civil war.

A collection of fascists, several of whom now run the junta conspired to overthrow a democratically elected government. Since the army was intimately involved in this conspiracy (according to Suthep, they had been planning together for several years), the entire situation was in fact cooked up by the people you seem to think rescued Thailand's bacon. So I'm sorry to break the news but the army did not save Thailand from civil war--they precipitated an extremely dangerous situation and we are a very, very, very long way from escaping from it. There was a 4 year gap between the last coup and massacre so don't count your chickens just yet because I'm quite certain that the army are going to be crushing an awful lot of those eggs in the coming years.

You are reading way too much into my position that I never stated. So please stop that game.

Yes I do believe Thailand really was heading towards civil war and so did much of the world's media.

Whether the solution taken was best one in those circumstances or whether the potential civil war has just been put off for another day is another matter which I DID NOT and WILL NOT comment on in this current political environment.

Edited September 16, 2014 by Jingthing

[tx22cb]

Thin end of a very big wedge. Erase anything embarrassing.

Next - there were no Blue Diamonds stolen nor were any diplomats murdered.

Strange how these ridiculous ideas seem to sprout whenever someone has absolute power and there is no credible opposition to say that the Emperor hath no clothes.

[Briggsy]

This is a continuation of a power struggle that has been running since before the Second World War, i.e. to gain control of the Ministry of Education to gain control of the school syllabus.

If you read up on Thai history, the school syllabus, strictly dictated by the Ministry of Education here, has been a tool for the 2 traditional antagonistic forces in Thailand (Military/Royalist/Senior Civil Service vs Parliamentary/Political Parties/Rural Power Base) to push their agendas.

So with the change of power you see a dramatic change in school syllabus. This change to history books was just one in a series. There was a previous announcement stating a ramping up of patriotism. It is all part of a power shift.

[Bob12345]

How can you educate the young about corruption without having Thaksin's name as an example of being part of the root cause of it?

Bizarre, but TiT..

If only Taksin had not invented corruption then the world would be a better place.

But i agree what you try to say. He should be in the history books to educate kids what corruption could lead to and how one person can (mis-) use a system for his own profit.

Why would the junta not want to warn kids of those dangers???

[DrLom]

This is just a removal of a 'ghost' from the closet. Ghosts come back to haunt, you know!

[chooka]

Erasing history and replacing it with sweet smelling roses and only imaginary good people. Is this really wise?

[Lingba]

If you ignore the past you're doomed to repeat it....Geez! what are they afraid of?

This is just ridiculous..Once again in true fashion ...Those in charge would rather sweep the mess under the rug and pretend it isn't there...I don't agree with the things Thaksin did, but why hide it?..Look at it straight in the eye and learn from it and accept that you won't let it happen again.