Israeli ambassador says he was deeply saddened over a Thai Value short film

[webfact]

Israeli ambassador says he was deeply saddened over a Thai Value short film



BANGKOK: -- The Israeli ambassador to Thailand yesterday issued a statement expressing deep regret over a Thai Value short film showing a smiling Thai youth painting the image of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

The statement was published in Israeli national news agency Arutz Sheva today.

The ambassador Simon Roded said he was “deeply saddened” to see the “trivialization and misuse” of Nazi symbols in an official Thai government film.

He wrote “Hitler and the Nazi regime were responsible for a systemic, horrific and racist murder of 11 million people during the Holocaust.”

“I was surprised that throughout the screening process this movie must have gone through to be approved for public broadcast, none of the smart, well educated people checking it had identified it as being problematic and offensive,” he said in the statement released by the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok.

The ambassador went on to note that this is not the first time the Israeli Embassy has encountered “ignorance of the history of the Holocaust” in Thailand.

A Nazi-themed parade at Sacred Heart School in Chiang Mai, 2011 at Simon Wiesenthal Center.

In 2011, a Nazi-themed sports parade at a Catholic school in Chiang Mai province sparked outrage and prompted the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok to protest the school’s administration. In the wake of the controversy, directors at Sacred Heart School said they would increase lessons on world history.

In another recent controversy, some graduates at Chulalongkorn University – one of Thailand’s top schools – posed for photos with a “Superhero Hitler” mural near the History Department. The University publicly apologised for the students’ behaviour, and promised to prevent any similar incidents from occurring in the future.

The Israeli ambassador added, “If we learn anything from this incident it is that Holocaust education, especially its global messages of tolerance, should be introduced into the Thai curriculum.”

The Prime Minister’s Office recruited 12 different directors to work on “Thai Niyom” in October after Gen Prayut called for a film to promote Thailand’s “national identity.”

Gen. Prayut’s Twelve Values, which he taught to the public in July, have already been rendered into a poem that students at public schools are required to memorise.

The film was produced by the Office of Prime Minister and screened for free in cinemas across the country on December 6.

Meanwhile the Thai director of this short film, Kulp Kaljaruek, also a manager at Kantana Group, one of the largest television and film production companies in Thailand, has defended the scene.

He said he never thought it would become an issue after a clip of the scene went viral on the internet and attracted criticism.

“As for Hitler’s portrait, I have seen so many people using it on T-Shirts everywhere. It’s even considered a fashion. It doesn’t mean I agree with it, but I didn’t expect it to be an issue at all,” he said.

He said Hitler was also a ‘number one,’ in a bad way.
“He was good at persuading a lot of people, but he refused to listen to the majority.”

When asked whether “30” was an attempt to poke fun at Gen Prayut’s Twelve Values in a subversive way, he insisted that he did not intend the film to be political at all.

“I don’t want to convey anything,” he said, adding that he has also worked on another state-sponsored film honouring the Thai monarchy.

“I didn’t want to have anything to do with politics. I didn’t want my film to affect anyone,” he added.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/israeli-ambassador-says-deeply-saddened-thai-value-short-film


-- Thai PBS 2014-12-11

[Stradavarius37]

Director is an idiot....case closed.

[Just1Voice]

Director is an idiot....case closed.

Why are you demeaning true idiots?

[Tatsujin]

Whilst the Director bears responsibility for what was actually put into the film and the image it portrayed, the buck stops at only one place, the person commissioning it, the PM, who (if it was so important to him to portray the "real values" of Thailand), should have at least looked at the finished product HE commissioned before allowing it to be released.

If they had run it past ANY foreigner before releasing it, this would have never happened. But as we don't understand "Thainess" (and they don't seem to care what anyone else thinks outside or even inside the borders of Thailand anyway), then I hope this (maybe) serves as just a little bit of a wakeup call to certain people (although I doubt it).

[tomross46]

It is good to see Israel lecture the Thai people, while they have turned Gaza into another Warsaw. Just yesterday an unarmed Palestinian politician was murdered by Israeli police. Sounds like the Gestapo.

[jaltsc]

"...none of the smart, well educated people checking it had identified it as being problematic and offensive..."

One would think that a person should become familiar with the country he has been appointed to become an ambassador. Then he would rephrase his statement to read: "None of the people checking it as being problematic and offensive were smart and well educated."

Edited December 11, 2014 by jaltsc

[h90]

It is good to see Israel lecture the Thai people, while they have turned Gaza into another Warsaw. Just yesterday an unarmed Palestinian politician was murdered by Israeli police. Sounds like the Gestapo.

Well, learn from the past. They did....

[bkkgooner]

The director's explanation makes sense to me they are trying to portray him as a little <deleted>

[chotthee]

This is a special film ordered by Thai Junta General Prime Minister Prayuth for the nation. Anyone who criticise this film, also imply that he/she criticize the nation and its leader.

Anyone criticize the 12 values should be arrested for re-education in the army camp, regardless if you are Thai, Burmese workers, Black African, White Farang.

[nottocus]

Israeli ambassador needs to get over it and tell his countrymen to stop acting like Nazis themselves.

[winstonc]

Israeli ambassador needs to get over it and tell his countrymen to stop acting like Nazis themselves.

do as i say not as i do...comes to mind hypocrasy at its finest...stop stealing arab land would be a start...they deserve the problems they created for themselves then start crying and complaining whilst diverting the attention away from what they are doing in palestine...

[apetley]

This is a special film ordered by Thai Junta General Prime Minister Prayuth for the nation. Anyone who criticise this film, also imply that he/she criticize the nation and its leader.

Anyone criticize the 12 values should be arrested for re-education in the army camp, regardless if you are Thai, Burmese workers, Black African, White Farang.

The so called 12 values are entirely removed from the insensitive way they are promoted in this video.

[Bluespunk]

It is good to see Israel lecture the Thai people, while they have turned Gaza into another Warsaw. Just yesterday an unarmed Palestinian politician was murdered by Israeli police. Sounds like the Gestapo.

No not really.

The politician was hit by a tear gas canister according to some reports and affected by tear gas by others.

He wasn't intentionally shot.

Happens whenever over zealous police/military use tear gas on protesters.

It was wrong and there needs to be an inquiry and justice has to be served upon those responsible.

However gestapo?

No.

Not gestapo like at all.

Edited December 11, 2014 by Bluespunk

[Rumble]

In my opinion, this is a clear propaganda message, possibly organized and manipulated by some well known activists or political group as a warning to the people of the future in Thailand under the present government. My General should beware of these soft tactics that have huge results in the end.

[wow64]

What's a Hitler? Oh its very in fashion right now, all the young thai kids are wearing them.

Edited December 11, 2014 by wow64

[Dah fahrang]

Sorry for my ignorance.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a link where I can find, read, memorise and learn to repeat 'parrot fashion' these so called twelve values?

Something to recite when I'm at a low ebb, stuck in traffic, or just plain bored.

[Squeegee]

My General....

Your what, sorry?

[Emster23]

saddened, but hardly surprised I bet

[chotthee]

Sorry for my ignorance.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a link where I can find, read, memorise and learn to repeat 'parrot fashion' these so called twelve values?

Something to recite when I'm at a low ebb, stuck in traffic, or just plain bored.

With subtitle (in Thai).

He is very very smart and good actually.

[Plutojames88]

It is good to see Israel lecture the Thai people, while they have turned Gaza into another Warsaw. Just yesterday an unarmed Palestinian politician was murdered by Israeli police. Sounds like the Gestapo.

Have to agree they lost my support years ago ( Israel)

Besides why Hitler is a fashion thing may stem from the symbol being a far older one before Hitler used it.

Thais don't care much about the war crimes committed

Ironically like those complaining these days either

[Loles]

" He said Hitler was also a ‘number one,’ in a bad way. "

555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555

Herr Director, better to be in silent I guess. You have no idea about history at all.

[Mudcrab]

perhaps the Ambassador is the fool in this instance.

[khunpa]

Only conclusions I get from the video are:

1. The producers are making a joke of the current government and the intention of the video itself.

2. The producers are all educated in Thai-schools and therefore have no real knowledge about anything.

Take a pick...

Based on his comments, I go for number 2.

Edited December 11, 2014 by khunpa

[Smurkster]

Forgive their ignorance, I'm not sure the majority of Thais even have the slightest clue as to who Hitler was or what happened to Six million jews during WWII

[gemini81]

should be more saddened by his country's persecution of Palestinians; something they can still make a difference and do something about- and saddened by his own misunderstanding of the film's portrayal. He needs to enroll in some Thai language courses.

[resurgance2001]

This is a special film ordered by Thai Junta General Prime Minister Prayuth for the nation. Anyone who criticise this film, also imply that he/she criticize the nation and its leader.

Anyone criticize the 12 values should be arrested for re-education in the army camp, regardless if you are Thai, Burmese workers, Black African, White Farang.

. Spoken like a true facist. This only goes to show that really the choice of Hitler is not a mistake. We should not forget that Thailand was actually an enemy of allies during World War Two.

[Alwyn]

My General....

Your what, sorry?

You beat me too it, the exact wording of the question I was going to ask.. Is he a numpty or what?

[Alwyn]

It is good to see Israel lecture the Thai people, while they have turned Gaza into another Warsaw. Just yesterday an unarmed Palestinian politician was murdered by Israeli police. Sounds like the Gestapo.

I didn't see you saying anything when the Palestinian murdered 4 Jews (including a Rabbi) whilst at prayer in the Synagogue a couple of weeks ago. You fit right in with the Nazi supporters in Thailand.

[Alwyn]

"Gen. Prayut’s Twelve Values, which he taught to the public in July, have already been rendered into a poem that students at public schools are required to memorise". Wow... Just like the Nazi youth used to do, there's a theme arising here.

[ExPratt]

Oh thats a surprise , were they offended by it then