(BD: Fair enough, but we’re running in circles, thread closed for a continuation of this same same …)

“The mental laziness of the people making them?”

Nice generalization there dude. Now what was that about laziness?

“How do you think generalizations become generalizations?”

The mental laziness of the people making them?

How do you think generalizations become generalizations? How do you think clichés got to be clichés?

Making generalizations does not mean there are not exceptions, in fact I have been at pains to point out that there are exceptions. In general however, I believe what I have said to be correct. It might be easy to wave it all aside on the pretext that I might have been hurt somewhere along the road, but the reality is that I have not been hurt by Thais any more than anyone else has. As a psychologist however, I expect I have rather better insights into the workings of the Thai psyche than those who are not. However much you might choose to disagree.

The fact is that there are trends and predispositions in the way that national psyche is perceived, and these are largely the result of the prevailing culture. This is reflected in the common views about the behavioral characteristics of German, English, Scottish, Australian, New Zealand etc. etc. people. I don’t know which country you are from but I would be prepared to bet there are common perceptions of your country-folk in the same w ay there are some about mine.

Most generalizations are there as a consequence of patterns of behavior noted over long periods of time, and most are justified to some degree.

My comments reflect my own opinions about the trends in the Thai psyche. Of course it doesn’t mean anything other than that they are trends and predispositions, but because they may not apply to every single one of the 64m Thais out there does not make them invalid. That’s the beauty of generalizations, they apply in the general, not in the particular.

“I know for sure that if they were ALL the same stupid people, they could never hold the same fascination for you.”

You don’t know any such thing, you are merely assuming that you do based on your own experience of others who may have held similar views. This is a result of your mental filters, which actually reflect your own experience and assumptions much more than anyone else’s. It is pretty safe to say you don’t have any idea about the why’s and what’s of what lies behind what I choose to say.

We all have freedom of choice about what to read and what to agree with. If you don’t like what I say then don’t read it, but please don’t suggest it is obligatory for me to see the world in the same way you do.

Did you get hurt somewhere down your Thailand road?

I was frankly amazed at how Abhisit really expected all things to be alright just because they arrested somebody. I very much doubt that these crimes will ever be resolved if they are investigated by Thais, especially considering who is alleged to have the blue diamond now. And yet, there is Abhisit talking it all up, and there are the investigators burying it again for all their worth. No doubt about who will win … the statute of limitations is about two weeks away, what odds are there on offer that anything will happen?

I get really bored talking badly about Thais, especially considering that I have some really good Thai friends, even if they are invariably, frankly hopeless at everything. It’s just that the more I find out about these people, the more loathesome they appear, and I am certain this feeling is not limited to just me. It is all very worrying sometimes and I am glad in many ways to be only a visitor and not a resident. Were I a resident, I think I would have followed in the footsteps of so many expats in Pattaya and other places, and moved out to leave them to stew in their own lamentable juices.

The real mystery to me is why anyone overseas dignifies them with diplomacy. I have no idea at all why Thais continue to elect the dregs of their society to exalted positions of power, and then seem surprised when the buggers proceed to bleed them dry. The Thai phu yais are just so duplicitous, devious and untrustworthy – in short, almost completely devoid of any kind of intellectual, ethical or cultural maturity, that they really ought to be shunned by decent folk.

I see many more points of similarity between Thais and the detestable Burmese junta than I see between what Thais sneeringly refer to as democracy in Thailand and any kind of enlightened national characteristics outside of the obvious banana republics.

/rant mode: off

Saudi Arabia used to have 200,000 Thai workers. Now the number is down to somewhere around 10000. Its claimed that the current interest in the Blue Diamond Affair is partly based on the possibility that at least some of those jobs, and the lucrative agency businesses to place people in them, might come back if relations improve. Now anyone who has ever worked in Saudi Arabia will tell you how they treat people … But the Thais are evidently anxious to get back into the situation regardless.

Is it class issue – who cares about poor workers? Or a race issue – who cares about poor Isaan people? Or a sakdina issue, a Karma issue or even a vote for the right party issue ….

Actually I have a theory about Burmese oil that might be relevant. It’s just a theory, but if China is determined to secure what has up until now been Thailand’s half of Burmese oil production then both the Burmese government and the government of Saudi Arabia have become very important players in Thailand’s future energy supply. It may seem a little far fetched but if you are looking for an ulterior motive beyond what is been spoken about in public then this might be part of the reasoning. There also are other factors such as the role of Asean negotiations and the local relationships between the military on both sides of the border that might play a part in the lateral thinking of those who decided on this course of action. It’s obvious that maintaining good relations with Burma and trying to restore the relationship with Saudi Arabia should bring benefits for the people who rule Thailand.

“I wonder how the Thai government would handle news that other countries that play host to undocumented Thai workers were starting to crack down on them and harrass them?”

With the usual hypocritical outrage I expect. Bit we miss the point. Thais are superior to all other SEA nations so they are entitled to do without being done unto.

(I’m trying to ignore Jaded’s crack about low wages and minimal benefits; s/he doesn’t know us and therefore knows nothing about the relationship between my family and our very much appreciated, trusted, and respected nanny of eight years.)

I wonder how the Thai government would handle news that other countries that play host to undocumented Thai workers were starting to crack down on them and harrass them?