Thailand and Philippines: Twins separated at birth

[webfact]

OPINION

Thailand and Philippines: Twins separated at birth

KAVI CHONGKITTAVORN

 

BANGKOK: -- The best description of Thailand-Philippine friendship would be as twins separated at birth. Both countries are close allies of the US and each has their ups and downs. They fought side by side as members of the UN-led international forces in the Korean War. 

 

During much of their modern history, they shared similar unsavoury narratives — trying to get rid of squatter areas, to reduce the national income gap as well as overcoming the “middle-income trap”. In addition, during the 1970s and 1980s, their overseas workers suffered the same plight with low levels of help from home. 

 

But their common aspirations are much bigger and overwhelming – to be the freest and most democratic members of Asean. 

Thais and Filipinos appreciate each others’ political experience in exercising their people power. In particular, they shared a common desire to topple dictatorial regimes and it was indeed transformational. The Filipinos learned from the Thais how to stage long-lasting protests by adding attractions such as entertainment and good food. The Thais followed the Filipino campaigns of mass mobilisation with strong deliverable messages. Together, their people have made public participation in the democratic process a norm within the Asean context. 

 

Indeed, both are emotionally driven people and at the same time very passionate – never a dull moment on the streets of either capital. Their peoples smile and laugh even when they are suffering but they differ when it comes to making conversation. Filipinos are more talkative and blunt. Thais, in contrast, are more circumspect and shy. But most importantly, they are both happy-go-lucky nations.

 

After the failed coup in 1987, Thailand was the first to give support to the Corazon Aquino government and immediately pledged to attend the Asean Summit there to show solidarity with the civilian government.

 

Other Asean leaders also demonstrated a similar resolve by joining the summit, despite uncertainty about security and other threats.

Without the unwavering support of the Philippines, the founding of Asean would not have been possible. During tense negotiations at the Bang Saen Resort ahead of the signing of the Bangkok Declaration on August 8, 1967, Foreign Minister Narciso Ramos, the father of former president Fidel, was instrumental in getting the discussions going. He frequently fired up conversations and created an atmosphere of camaraderie among the founding fathers, who were at times persistent in getting their views across.

 

Above all, their press system and media culture are also very similar – free, but from time to time printing unsubstantiated news and information. 

 

Media organisations and journalists from both countries have longstanding cooperation and knowledge-sharing. Thai journalists honed their investigative skills from their Filipino friends and vice versa. 

 

Filipinos working for civil society groups and and grassroots organisations are prominent figures here. Apart from managerial positions, they are the largest group, with about 17,000 Filipinos residing in Thailand. They help to sharpen concerns among Thais on the environment, the rights of women and children, to name but a few. Without the Filipino high-octane campaigners, human rights and gender equality awareness in this country would not have reached the level witnessed today, especially for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual group. 

 

When President Rodrigo Duterte begins his two-day visit today, he will carry all the past goodwill and feel-good feeling to build on future ties with Thailand. 

 

Since he took power last June, he has already showed he shares two passions with Thais – protecting the rights of migrant workers, and a drug-free Asean. These two issues will serve as a bridge to reconnect the two countries in their future path to create a better Asean community.

 

Existing cooperation on counter-terrorism and extremists will continue unabated. Exchange of intelligence on Islamic State fighters will intensify, as some have passed through Thailand to go to the southern Philippines. There will be four documents signed, touching on bilateral cooperation on science and technology, agriculture, tourism and livestock.

 

Furthermore, both countries want to do more trade. Duterte will meet the Filipino community here as well as Thai businessmen and potential investors to boost economic cooperation. 

 

Last year, two-way trade volume was nearly US$10 billion (Bt360 billion) with the trade surplus on the Thai side. The Philippines is the fifth largest trading partner of Thailand within Asean.

 

But private sector representatives of the two countries have not met and exchanged thoughts for quite sometime. Both sides have established a joint trade committee but their members have not met once. 

 

With the Duterte government’s emphasis on small and medium enterprises, the digital economy and innovation, Thailand can benefit from sharing its know-how and link-up local start-ups. 

 

Thailand has strongly supported all initiatives taken by Manila, the current Asean chair, including commemorative programmes planned throughout the year. There are well over 100 activities to mark the 50th anniversary of Asean, which Thailand will fully engage in. 

One of them is the lighting up of Asean iconic landmarks in Asean member countries. 

 

Manila also plans to arrange a tribute to the founding fathers of Asean on Asean Day – August 8, 2017. One of them will be Dr Thanat Khoman, the former Thai foreign minister, who initiated the idea of establishing Asean.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/opinion/kavi/30309611

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-03-20

[Thaiwrath]

5 minutes ago, webfact said:

but they differ when it comes to making conversation.

One speaks good conversational English, the other doesn't.

[dcnx]

1 hour ago, Thaiwrath said:

One speaks good conversational English, the other doesn't.

Filipinos do a lot of things better. But both countries are drowning in corruption. What a shame. 

[yellowboat]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The Filipinos learned from the Thais how to stage long-lasting protests by adding attractions such as entertainment and good food.

Sadly the good food and entertainment has installed a military government in Thailand that looks as though it will not allow civilian governance. 

[55Jay]

I began visiting both in my late teens/early 20s in the mid to late 1980s.  My opinion then was that Thailand seemed a bit more organized and clean than PI, which had daily power and water outages and just felt like it was always teetering on the edge of calamity.  However, the overall vibe for a "kanoe" like me in PI was more relaxed and familiar due to western influence and of course being able to communicate in English/Tagalish, goes a long way.

 

All these years later, living in LoS full-time but away from the big cities and facade of tourist areas, my outlook is more realistic.  I still wouldn't want to live in the PI though.  Many do and like many here in LoS, they love it (or say they do), warts and all. 

Edited March 20, 2017 by 55Jay

[darksidedog]

"But their common aspirations are much bigger and overwhelming – to be the freest and most democratic members of Asean."

What utter hogwash? I suspect I will be dead many a year before Thailand ever becomes remotely close to a truly free and democratic country.

[Emster23]

"They fought side by side as members of the UN-led international forces in the Korean War."

No mention of WWII. Must have slipped authors mind I reckon....  

".. he shares two passions with Thais – protecting the rights of migrant workers, and a drug-free Asean "

Maybe he got idea of death to dealers from Thaksin? Good way to rid self of some opposition members in the process. I must have missed Thailand protecting rights of migrant workers. Maybe they can fill me in on that.

Pico Iyer had good essay on Philippines years back. "300 years in a convent, 100 years in Hollywood"

 

[Bkung]

Philippino face are look the same as Thai people. I think the DNA must have link back hundred or thousands years ago really from same ancestors.

[Rob13]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Both countries are close allies of the US

 

 

Fair weather allies at best.

[Bkung]

2 minutes ago, Rob13 said:

 

 

Fair weather allies at best.

Not US anymore recently PH president surprise have a very good relationship with China.

[rijb]

1 minute ago, Bkung said:

Not US anymore recently PH president surprise have a very good relationship with China.

Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.

[Bluespunk]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The best description of Thailand-Philippine friendship would be as twins separated at birth

You know, it really isn't.

[Bluespunk]

36 minutes ago, Bkung said:

Not US anymore recently PH president surprise have a very good relationship with China.

Though not such a good one with sanity.

[Srikcir]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

twins separated at birth

Disagree.

Thailand is more like a mole on the backside of China.

The Philippines is more like a Brazilian favelas.

[Pib]

They are indeed twins as neither can get their act together.

[12DrinkMore]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Above all, their press system and media culture are also very similar – free, but from time to time printing unsubstantiated news and information. 

 

Not much in the way of "free" unless spinning the correct narrative.

[debate101]

Why do this author's articles always read like junior high school essays by students writing to try to fill blank space?

 

"Thailand and the Phillipines are lands of many contrasts. They share many similarities but have lots of differences as well. For example..."

Edited March 20, 2017 by debate101

[KC 71]

Guess who has the best food !


Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect

[Destiny1990]

Popular in Philipines is kidnapping of foreigners for a high ransom payment especially in Mindanao bon voyage.

[dageurreotype]

11 hours ago, darksidedog said:

"But their common aspirations are much bigger and overwhelming – to be the freest and most democratic members of Asean."

What utter hogwash? I suspect I will be dead many a year before Thailand ever becomes remotely close to a truly free and democratic country.

LOL! Only a year? You ninety?

[Destiny1990]

 Internet and a basic infrastructure is lacking in phills.

[dageurreotype]

They're both whore infested corrupt shit holes anyway.

[darksidedog]

2 minutes ago, dageurreotype said:

LOL! Only a year? You ninety?

I believe I said "many a year." I did not state how many years it would be, before I shuffled off this mortal coil, which I hope will be significantly more than one.

The statement was meant to mean, I will be dead down the road, (in 20-30 years with any luck), but it will still be some time AFTER that, when Thailand sees true democracy.

[survivalblue]

Thailand and Philippines are drastically different.  The 2 cultures are nothing alike. 

 

 

 

[tominbkk]

13 hours ago, darksidedog said:

"But their common aspirations are much bigger and overwhelming – to be the freest and most democratic members of Asean."

What utter hogwash? I suspect I will be dead many a year before Thailand ever becomes remotely close to a truly free and democratic country.

I laughed at that sentence too.  I get the feeling that most Thais are happy living under a dictatorship.