Thai editorial: The problem with sharing a history

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
The problem with sharing a history
The Nation

An official account is under fire for its perceived political taint and lack of crucial chapters

BANGKOK: -- Just how elusive the facts of history can be was demonstrated in a debate this week among scholars gathered at the National Theatre to discuss a newly published official history of Thailand.

There was concern that the official narrative contains premature conclusions about the recent political turmoil and lacks objectivity about older events.

"The History of Thailand", released two months ago, should not cover the red-yellow political conflict or the last two coups, it was argued, because that chapter of our history is still unfolding. In other words, until the inherent issues are resolved and public opinion coalesces, "the jury is still out".

Suphawat Kasemsi, a member of a committee charged with revising the book, said it could do without the final chapter on these still-unresolved events. In fact nothing that's happened in the past 50 years really belongs to "history", he asserted, since the ramifications continue, and that includes economic and cultural development in the last half-century.

The contention is well taken, but history need not be "frozen", or held hostage to the current state of affairs.

Suphawat was also worried that the authors' personal opinions might have seeped into the book, leaving them open to not only criticism but also perhaps legal action. On this we agree. The official account cannot be politically tainted. Its authors must be open-minded enough to include the full gamut of existing perspectives, regardless of coded colour.

Moving further back in time, Professor Thanet Aphornsuvan, head of Thammasat University's Asean studies department, suggested that the official version of Thai history should in fact stem from a joint effort by scholars from all Southeast Asia countries. This would provide a fresh "lens" through which to view the past, he said, and the regional perspective would overcome the tendency of Thai authors to portray our country as being more virtuous than others.

Assessments of which country invaded which always suffer from a nationalistic to-and-fro, but the problem worsens when authors assume a moral high ground that might not be deserved. Honesty is, as always, the best policy, but when patriotism and politics are in play, the truth suffers.

Thanet would also prefer that the book examine the stories of Thailand's ethnic minorities, such as the descendants of Malay Muslims, the Mon and the Lao who migrated to Thailand. Instead the book short-changes "histories that occurred outside the metropolis", he said.

Again, is Thailand prepared to be honest? Would accuracy be tolerated in representing the abuses heaped on Lao in the Northeast, and Patani Malays in the far South? To be sure, our official history is far too "Bangkok-centric" in ignoring the people of other regions who are as much Thai as anyone in Bangkok, in spite of different languages and beliefs.

It should be noted that, just because Lanna and Lao are not taking up arms against the state, it doesn't mean they're satisfied with how their stories are presented in Bangkok's history books. Meanwhile, because a segment of Malay society in the South is armed and rejects the state-constructed narrative, we dismiss them as troublemakers embracing distorted views of history and of Islam. In fact the Malays did not challenge the state until the 1960s, a full half a century after the region came under Bangkok's direct rule.

If peace is to gain a foothold in the South and prevail elsewhere, we require an understanding of all conflicting narratives. The red shirts cherish their stories just as much as the yellow shirts.

National reconciliation and harmony can only come about with intense and honest debate about the past. The alternative is to continue blaming one another for the problems stifling our nation.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/The-problem-with-sharing-a-history-30274264.html


-- The Nation 2015-12-04

[ratcatcher]

"In fact nothing that's happened in the past 50 years really belongs to "history",

What a bizarre comment.

[BigBadGeordie]

"Honesty is, as always, the best policy, but when patriotism and politics are in play, the truth suffers."

I just love this statement from the OP, I have saved it to my clipboard and shall append it to every comment made by the Junta from now on.

[chainarong]

Possibly nothing has happened in history, in Thailand , over the past fifty years because it is well known history has a habit of repeating itself so yeah that could be the case , however there has been plenty of history outside of politics that's happened in Thailand over the past fifty years all you need to do is find it and the Junta leader will possibly help historians on the Juntas Historic achievements being announced just before Xmas, this Xmas I am buying CD's of the message to send to every TVForum Expat just to spread a little happiness..............................................

[DrTuner]

Never trust history written by the people in it.

[CelticBhoy]

". . the people of other regions who are as much Thai as anyone in Bangkok, in spite of different languages and beliefs . ."

A-rai wa? That has me more than a tad confused

[dru2]

". . the people of other regions who are as much Thai as anyone in Bangkok, in spite of different languages and beliefs . ."

A-rai wa? That has me more than a tad confused

From an academic perspective:

Thai = Any national of Thailand, from whatever ethnic or religious background, including Pattani Malays, Surin Khmers, etc.

Tai (or T'ai) = A member of the Tai etnno-linguistic group, including Tai Yai (Shan), Thai Lu (Sipsongpanna), etc.

Don't blame me - that's the international convention.

[zaphod reborn]

"The History of Thailand", released two months ago, should not cover the red-yellow political conflict or the last two coups, it was argued, because that chapter of our history is still unfolding. In other words, until the inherent issues are resolved and public opinion coalesces, "the jury is still out".

Our educational system is not equipped to just present the facts, and allow the students to actually think and come to their own conclusions. And they wonder why their schools continue to churn out graduates that can do nothing but copy and paste based on the rote-learning they are fed by teachers who suffer from the same malady.

[jacky54]

Logic is not a Thai strongpoint, but if the writers told the real truth of the last 70 years they would be facing decades in prison, better stick with the fantasy version of the past.

[sanukjim]

"In fact nothing that's happened in the past 50 years really belongs to "history",

What a bizarre comment.

The same as their constitution.How can you call it a constitution if you throw it out and write a new one every seven or eight years,It is nothing more then a temporary set of civil guides.

[Laughing Gravy]

Yesterday is history, to argue that the last 5-7 years is still unfolding is ludicrous. What they mean is they don't want people to know the truth, especially as it does not put Thailand in the best possible light. In fact if people did know the truth they would quickly learn that little has changed in over 50 years. I wonder why that is??

[sanukjim]

Yesterday is history, to argue that the last 5-7 years is still unfolding is ludicrous. What they mean is they don't want people to know the truth, especially as it does not put Thailand in the best possible light. In fact if people did know the truth they would quickly learn that little has changed in over 50 years. I wonder why that is??

That is why the government will not create a true FREE education program.The average Thai up country can not afford to go to these so called free schools( some have to pay for the new books( upgraded (in principal only) every year and controlled by the schools adminastration as with the uniforms ( uasaly sold by the head of the school's wife.If you keep them ignorant then you can control them.

[Srikcir]

"the jury is still out"

Well yes ... Thailand doesn't use juries!

[tuanku]

The very ink with which history is written is merely fluid prejudice.

Mark Twain

The history of Thailand is known and acknowledged only outside Thailand. Thais have only lies and legends.

[DeepInTheForest]

The official account cannot be politically tainted.

A contradiction in terms. "Official accounts" are necessarily politically tainted, as are all historical accounts. The "official" account will be biased in a way that favors those in power, which is why it should be viewed more skeptically than most.

The presentation of history is inextricably woven with bias, is it not? Our search for truth is never finished, either personally or societally. And we should view that as a good thing.