Prostrate Thou Self

As satire, cynicism and sarcasm are hardly existent in Thailand, we have to find satire, cynicism and sarcasm in the real world. Which is actually not too difficult. Some real events here are to such an extent out of touch with common sense and what’s the norm elsewhere that they can only be understood as accidental satire.

Beautifully described in Ngandeeleg’s Has Dr. John got it right? one cannot be sure any longer in Thailand about what is right and what is wrong. Even the wrongest can be righted. With the keyword brainwashing summing it all up. But the ones above us, considered to be role models of morals, ethics and society, ask for even more:

Parliamentarians are obviously not given enough honor and respect. An order has therefore been issued demanding all staff working at parliament to prostrate themselves before MPs as a gesture of respect any time and anywhere the two should meet. My humble experience though is whoever deserves respect gets respect.

There was an outcry, yes. There is a limit, MPs were told.
The good news being that staff who refuse to prostrate themselves won’t be punished. Yes!

Someone got cold feet. The order was not an order, we learn. Even though the order was visible everywhere.


Sometimes no comment is the only comment.

BTW: How to recognize an MP as an MP? I mean, if you’re eager to prostrate yourself, maybe MPs should be clearly marked as MPs, like those FBI guys with FBI literally written all over them.




Sphere: Related Content

Related posts on absolutelyBangkok.com:

  1. Walking The Bhikkhuni Path
  2. Why Are Thai Women Not Like That
  3. The Ten Commandments Of Thai Politicians
  4. Making Way

September 25, 2009 | Filed Under Culture & Arts, On Our Own, The Thai Mind 

Comments

2 Responses to “Prostrate Thou Self”

  1. Wry Eyes on September 25th, 2009 2:41 pm

    There’s a lot that’s earnest, hackneyed and saccharine in this country, I agree, but there’s also an awful lot that’s highly ironic and self-effacing – from Rirkrit Tiravanija, Duck Unit, DudeSweet, Phenomena and Jeh United right through to Villa Cafe and even Wongkamlao. It’s just not that wry to everyone.

    Quality comment? Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  2. Hobby on September 25th, 2009 5:25 pm

    Thanks for the link Dan – in case anyone thought I could come up with anything original, I just wanted to clarify that it’s Dr. John Patterson (not me unfortunately) who gets the credit for the beautiful description.

    Hobby/Nganadeeleg

    (BD: Thanks Hobby, I should have formulated it less vaguely. Still, by highlighting Dr. John Patterson you’re not only the messenger anymore.)

    Quality comment? Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

Leave a Reply