The Ten Commandments Of Thai Politicians

I rarely do this, but this “field manual” for Thai politicians written by Prophessor Stephen B. Young for The Nation is worth to be mirrored in full. You may remember The Nation’s telling interview back in September last year with the man. Young introduces his helpful rules for Thai politicians with this:

“Having tasted of politics both east and west, and having shared many a story over the last 49 years with Thais in and out of government and politics and from Isaan villages to royal residences, it seems to me the current unrest in Thailand could be overcome by application of the following guidelines for Thai politicians:” (…)

Take a deep breath. It’s an again telling list. Explicitly mentioning to “beware farangs bearing condescending advice” as if we’d still be stuck in colonial times. Or Thailand as a potential Leitkultur? The old man has definitely gone Thai. And who’s that “established moral elite”?! But Young only lists eight helpful rules. So what two rules are missing to make it a uniquely Thai Decalogue? Maybe “Thou shalt first and foremost dismiss thouself” …

1. Stand up to bullies

In periods of political transition and turmoil, authority wanes and self-seeking vigorously asserts itself. Then bullies tend to appear. But, fortunately, their bark is much more impressive than their bite.

Bullies are only testing the water to check their buoyancy. If confronted with firmness and quiet perseverance, they will protest with more threats of violence and retaliation, grumble loudly, and then slink away.

The bully wears a mask like a dancer in a khon play. Wait to see the true face behind the mask before making judgments about the real game being played.

Calm and respectful abiding by principle and the law will reveal whether or not bullies have real power to impose their interests or whether all they have is bluster.

2. Barami can’t be bought

Real barami, the kind that comes with bun and which brings genuine distinction, does not come simply by holding positions of power and possessing a lot of money.

Power and money bring a certain kind of forced pre-eminence, to be sure, but not lasting admiration and gratitude. Subordination of supporters bought with money or imposed with power does not last. Uneasy lies the head that surrounds itself with hypocritical professions of loyalty from paid or coerced retainers.

The politician who goes down the road of seeking money and administrative power can never turn back to virtue. More and more money and power become ever more necessary to keep one’s dependents in line. So, the game has to be fixed to get the means to keep up one’s position. Real barami slides farther and farther away.

Thus, it is foolish to use politics to climb the ladder of barami and try to enter the ranks of the established moral elite. It won’t work.

Use politics to serve the people and the right kind of barami will come to you of its own accord.

3. Thai politics is just another form of Thai drama; take your mask off

There is a lot of smoke and noise in politics; rumors and schemes; shifting alliances and false friendships; all under the cover of polite conventions and smiling deference.

But the noise and the gestures are mostly those of actors only. Take off your mask and expose to public disdain the others who then refuse to do so. Be yourself and speak your mind – politely of course.

Don’t just play a role of convenience; be decisive and take real risks in order to do good. Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.

4. Confront with kreng jai

Confrontation can be civil and respectful. In fact, differences don’t have to be confrontational, more like sharing views in a dialog or a conversation. Detach points of view, suggestions and concerns from power and status; let comments and ideas stand on their own for consideration by others.

5. Dialog is not defeat

Dialog is the meeting of minds around ideas and initiatives. It is not a posture assumed for the purpose of tough negotiations. Standing on principle while entering into dialog does not compromise your barami.

6. Beware farangs bearing condescending advice

The farang mindset, no matter how well educated or how well intended, has no necessary commitment to the well-being of Thai society. Nor will the farang mindset necessarily have good remedies for Thailand if all goes wrong with farang recommendations to better conform Thai values and social practices with foreign standards.

Even the well-meaning farangs will probably not stick around to pick up the pieces if it all falls apart. Remember the Americans in South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

7. Everyone is responsible

Don’t leave important matters to a Thevada. Thai citizens shape Thai destiny. The helpful touch of many hands accumulates much good karma. Provide space for the effects of constructive contributions coming from all over.

8. Use the Thosapit Rajatham

The ten guiding principles of just rule, taken from Theravada teachings on moderation, can work just fine in the 21st century.

Politicians, political parties, even government programs, can be judged good or bad by their alignment with the Thosapit Rajatham.

Prosit!




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January 30, 2010 | Filed Under Culture & Arts, Culture Shock, History, Politics, Society 

Comments

9 Responses to “The Ten Commandments Of Thai Politicians”

  1. David on January 30th, 2010 11.48 am

    This is one of the most absurd pieces of condescension by a farang to a Thai audience I can recall ever reading.

    With the possible exception of Rule 6 (at least the title if not blather underneath the title):

    “6. Beware farangs bearing condescending advice”

    Pack Mr. Young up, wax him and ship him off to Madame Tussauds in Pattaya.

  2. Jaded on January 30th, 2010 12.42 pm

    No idea why you would consider any of what he’s written interesting. He’s obviously angling for recognition as an authoritative voice on Thai affairs for a English reading Thai audience who will be comforted to have their hypocrisy confirmed by a high status American professor. He’s made to measure for The Nation.

    Even if he does possess a little credibility courtesy of his daddy’s ambassadorship and his academic background, the field of government friendly foreign apologists contains far heavier hitters. For instance I would say that Shawn Crispin seems now to be thoroughly committed to supporting Abhisit. Crispin is a heavy hitter with great sources and a formidable crisp writing style. When he spins on behalf of the government line he’s quite credible and is taken seriously. Young’s a total lightweight. Why should we care what this American high-so dilettante writes in The Nation?

  3. ThaiCrisis on January 31st, 2010 1.20 am

    It’s hilarious … What’s the point of this stuff?

    Consider the following tests:

    - obvious childish truth: passed (“be yourself and speak your mind”)

    - cheap grandiloquent aphorism: passed (“dialog is not defeat”)

    - hubris mixed with pseudo-religion background: passed (“Theravada teachings on moderation” … “Thosapit Rajatham”)

    - and eventually, paranoia: passed (“beware of the farang …”)

    A very good summary of many aspects of Thai life.

    Anyway. I don’t really like this kind of “Zen” bullshit.

    But I still believe it’s actually a joke, aimed at our Thai friends.

    Steve B. Young tried to fool us.

    ;-)

  4. BangkokDan on January 31st, 2010 6.55 am

    And I thought self-discipline and the implementation of and adherence to law and order could solve a Thai problem or two.

    Must be my shallow-mindedness.

    BangkokDan

  5. Chunkton on January 31st, 2010 5.28 pm

    Why try analyze politicians and offer unwanted advice on behavior that may be of benefit to the realm. Politicians have no interest in such, why not try and explain Chaos Theory to a goat, the interest level and understanding would be on par.

    Why do people continue to misunderstand the motivations of politicians, they are all the same, everywhere no different. They are there to make money and to achieve power and influence. Now that was easier than ten commandment nonsense above and at least they know what you are talking about.

  6. Tweets that mention The Ten Commandments Of Thai Politicians -- Topsy.com on February 1st, 2010 11.28 am

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  7. Mr. V on February 2nd, 2010 5.16 pm

    About Americans leaving South Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. To my best knowledge that was part of the peace deal in 1973. And Chinese and North Vietnamese knew that after a while they have left, they just can’t return anymore due to the huge toll the war had taken on America’s military and public opinion etc. So this dude’s point is moot. Other than that, I have no idea what is this Buddhist stuff he is writing so can’t comment on do they contain anything useful for real-life politicians, or do they contain some sort of advice to consult spirits to make decisions and what not.

  8. Global Voices Online » Thailand: Ten helpful rules for politicians on February 13th, 2010 10.38 am

    [...] Stephen B. Young suggests ten “helpful rules” for young Thai politicians. Cancel this [...]

  9. crocodilexp on February 18th, 2010 2.39 am

    Professor Young’s advice #6 is perfectly applicable to this set of farang’s condescending advice.

    I couldn’t have summed it up better myself, glaring paradox notwithstanding.

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