Thai opinion: What really connects the people of Asean?

[webfact]

STREETWISE
What really connects the people of Asean?
Achara Deboonme

BANGKOK: -- Next year marks the 49th anniversary of a historical turning point for this region. On August 8, 1967, the leaders of five nations - Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand - sat down together and signed what was to become known as the Asean Declaration, the founding document of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

The five countries envisaged a cooperation that would span the economic, social, cultural, technical, educational and other fields, while also forging regional peace and stability. Over the past 48 years, the number of member states has increased to 10 and much progress has been achieved. Despite domestic challenges, every member country has managed to attend annual meetings, where they could boast of having embarked on action to further regional cooperation. Most have joined the single visa scheme, to allow citizens of other member states to make short trips to their countries visa-free. Universities in Singapore have seen a continuous of flow of students from other Asean member countries, while hospitals in Thailand have welcomed patients from our regional neighbours. Migrant workers have become an integral part of Thai society, working as housemaids or as workers in factories, construction sites and food shops.

Rather than fighting for unilateral rights over a large gas field in the south of Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand have reached an agreement to jointly develop the reserves. A similar agreement is in the works for an offshore gas field bordering Thailand and Cambodia.

Excitement in the region, including Thailand, is growing over preparations for the Asean Economic Community (AEC), slated for launch at the end of this year. The advent of the AEC will give workers in eight professions freedom of movement across the region. Financial authorities across Southeast Asia are busy forging rules to facilitate cross-border securities offerings. With Asean member states looking for new investment opportunities, central banks are working to improve the cross-border payment system. Banks are establishing branches to accommodate greater investment by Asean companies within the region.

With the 50th anniversary of Asean approaching, it's worth asking what really connects people in the region, amid all the past achievements.

The physical aspect of regional connectivity is obvious. A network of highways now link several countries in the region, with roads designated "AH" affording unbroken travel from the north of Thailand to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore. Train projects in the pipeline will boost that connectivity.

Business linkages are increasing as the AEC looms into sight.

But it will be cultural links that form the strongest bonds between citizens of the region's countries.

Despite shared historical roots that can be traced back to the heyday of the Chinese and Indian empires, it seems that people of our region do not yet feel a strong sense of cultural connection. The exception would be the ethnic Chinese, who have migrated to Southeast Asia over the past two centuries and are still bound by old beliefs and traditions. Hindu roots still rise to the surface in Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia - most obvious in water festivals such as Songkran and mythological figures like Rama.

But differences are obvious in the area of popular entertainment. I have to admit that I had never heard of Indonesian star Anggun before she appeared on TV as one of the judges of "Asia's Got Talent". And how many Indonesian know about Nadech Kugimiya, the Thai model and actor?

Differences are also obvious in the area of food, some of which can be out down to changes in climate and soil from country to country, giving rise to different types and quality of agricultural products. Take stir fried noodles as an example. One can find this dish in several countries in the region - from Thailand (phad mee) and Indonesia (goreng) to the Philippines (pansit). Yet, each national noodle speciality contains different ingredients and tastes unique. The same goes for spicy papaya salad. What's known as som tam to Thais is called tam bak hung in Laos and bok lahong in Cambodia, and each has a distinctively different flavour.

If travel is the best way to connect the people, then there's a chance that cultural connectivity will be boosted.

In 2001, 10.06 million tourists arrived in Thailand, of which 2.24 million, or 22.28 per cent, were from other Asean member countries. Last year the number rose to 6.46 million Asean tourists, or about one fourth of a total of 26 million.

Travel opens eyes, ears and minds. Visitors taste the local food, watch local TV and talk with locals, often via the "bridge" tongue of English.

In time, we might imagine the advent of som tam tours, offering a chance to taste the salad in all the countries that offer the dish. Or what about a tour to the most popular islands across the region, made affordable and convenient by the number of local low-cost airlines?

Not long from now, Thais might find their minds straying more and more to the possibilities that regional neighbours like Indonesia and the Philippines have to offer.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/What-really-connects-the-people-of-Asean-30265323.html


-- The Nation 2015-07-28

[NeverSure]

What will enable the people of Asean to connect? English Thainess. LOL.

[worgeordie]

Well it used to be poverty,but some seem to be a lot better off,

with all those Farang paid for houses,and support funds coming

from overseas.

regards Worgeordie

[Charlie Croker]

Is it the unique shape of the eyes?

Or the skin colour?

I suppose DNA in a nutshell.

Or the love of money.

Edited July 28, 2015 by Charlie Croker

[hutchings1963]

GREED

[Tatsujin]

Well it used to be poverty,but some seem to be a lot better off,

with all those Farang paid for houses,and support funds coming

from overseas.

regards Worgeordie

That's a factor in a lot being better off, but I think credit/loans are a more accurate explanation.

[soalbundy]

reality avoidance ? superstition ? corruption ? lack of ethics ? that connects, did i miss anything ?

[Heng]

The overseas Chinese in all 5 countries do quite a lot of business together and pretty much run all 5 economies.

[RickBradford]

ASEAN was founded to formalize the idea of non-interference with the internal workings of another country.

It lets Thailand formally ignore human rights abuses in Burma, everyone can turn a blind eye to Communist repression in Vietnam, or the rule of an oligarchy in Cambodia. None of them batted an eyelid when Brunei introduced sharia law last year, and none of them cares to do anything to stop Indonesia setting fire to the island of Borneo.

One other possible function of ASEAN was to act as a makeweight to China in various international gabfests, especially over issues like the Spratly Islands. Look how well that's going.

[Colabamumbai]

Nothing connects them except geographical area.

[bheard]

Seems to me after speaking to a number of educated people that in general, Thais have little time for Cambodians and Burmese at least, don't know about the rest. Given that Thais are the master race and all . . .

[sawadee1947]

greediness

[ronwparker]

The only common language is English-Plus of course Geography but apart from them the cultures are very different.

Thailand is the worst at teaching English in Asean sady.

[ronwparker]

Seems to me after speaking to a number of educated people that in general, Thais have little time for Cambodians and Burmese at least, don't know about the rest. Given that Thais are the master race and all . . .

Thai's think they are but the education is so poor that only the rich Thais get a half decent education-even their history books are wrong!

Edited July 28, 2015 by ronwparker

[gandalf12]

GREED

Unfortunately greed is universal not just i Thailand

[faraday]

A more developed Pineal Gland.

[soalbundy]

A more developed Pineal Gland.

cyclops /?

[Thai at Heart]

What really unites Thailand? Very little these days.

[elgordo38]

Well it used to be poverty,but some seem to be a lot better off,

with all those Farang paid for houses,and support funds coming

from overseas.

regards Worgeordie

Yes your quite right but it beats spending my "Golden Years" in the West in a "retirement villa" (could not afford it anyways) or living with one of my daughters one of which just could not be bothered with me underfoot (never had children and thus developed a selfish lifestyle) but insists I should leave her some money when I die how gracious of her. Here I have a beautiful young g/f who attends to all my needs plus some. She is just a great person. My cost of living is also half of what it is in the west and the climate well you know. Does this come free? no of course not. Here there is a meeting of minds in the west they call it a "marriage contract" We have an understanding and have had for almost 4 years now. Many foreign men admire her and keep asking "Is he keeping you happy" repeatedly and she says yes. They envy me and rightly so. I often worry about what will happen to her when I pass. The world seems to be producing more B**t**ds per capita every day in all societies. Its a sign of the greedy times we live in.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

Nothing connects them! They and their countries are as different from each other as it can be - work ethics, religions, ethnic problems, self pride, laziness, superficiality, cultures, etc. vary vastly between the ASEAN countries and thus it will not work. Once perfect spoken, determined workers and artists from the Philippines for example flood in, the Thais can pack their bags and go home, as no one will employ them anymore. I have Burmese construction workers that outperform any Thai bricklayer, tile worker and painter like a race horse would outperform a toad. Only one close to Thailand is Laos, but the people there do even better food, have understanding of western culture and food (eating baguette for breakfast, great cafes all over the place with food to die for) and are friendlier and more thankful than the Thais are. Thailand will suffer from the ASEAN thing once visas and work permits for members are a thing of the past. To the Thais losing their jobs then, I'd say:

Edited July 28, 2015 by Blitzkrieg Bob

[MaxLee]

What will enable the people of Asean to connect? English Thainess. LOL.

Well definitely not Thailand, lol

[z42]

Inability to drive like a sane / rational human being

[sammygood]

what about hatred (myanmar, cambodia stole land, went to war with them in the past) , envy (singapore is almost corruption free, speak many languages, wealthy, less crime), greed is the only thing left

[soalbundy]

what about hatred (myanmar, cambodia stole land, went to war with them in the past) , envy (singapore is almost corruption free, speak many languages, wealthy, less crime), greed is the only thing left

magical amulets, let us not forget the power of magic.

[Colabamumbai]

Seems to me after speaking to a number of educated people that in general, Thais have little time for Cambodians and Burmese at least, don't know about the rest. Given that Thais are the master race and all . . .

Oh but they do, look at how many work here doing jobs beneath the Thais. Some one has to sell rotis on the street, and clean Thai toilets.