This, Dear Friends, Is Thailand

They thought no one on the outside world will ever hear those torrents of hatred, but then again, they’re actually no torrents of hatred but … utterances of devotion and pride. Affirmations of pure love and dedication till death. Judge for yourself. This is scary stuff not only for outsiders.

Because this is real. Setting: At the PAD’s Sanam Luang rally on Sunday, November 15th. Cause: The restoration of the Thai nation’s dignity by assuring the Thai people’s condemnation of traitors Thaksin and Hun Sen “with heartfelt respect and peace.”

That’s according to the beautifully titled press release The Thai People’s Declaration to the World. On the stage though you heard contemporary fascism in action that would have put Hitler to shame, calling for the annihilation of unworthy “non-humans.” And all perfectly legal, protected by governmental blessing.

You wonder why there was only one grenade. Luckily nobody was seriously hurt. Who it was? As with the failed Sondhi assassination, we’ll probably never know. But Bangkok Pundit gives a hint. There is so much hatred around here, nothing shall surprise. Anyone’s willing to do anything.

Hey, don’t accuse me of instigating, am just the messenger: The English-language website of Prachatai has an unemotional roundup of what was said. Emailed a reader: “The speeches seem so absurd and extreme, it could almost be a Not the Nation parody.” Couldn’t agree more. Email goes on:

“A lot of racism against Khmer as well (ironic that Newin is an ethnic Khmer) and calls for extreme violence against opponents … It all seems to retrograde, rightwing and ersatz fascist, it’s is hard to believe that normal intelligent people (like me, thank you) were once following Mr. Sondhi hither and yon.”

Here some key excerpts of Fierce PAD Nationalism:

Prasert Lertyaso called for the beheading of Hun Sen, General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and Thaksin Shinawatra, alluding to an old Thai saying of shedding blood to wash royal feet.

General Preecha Iamsuphan (…) said that he heard a government spokesperson say on radio that Jakrapob Penkair had smuggled weapons across the northeastern Thai border to start a revolt.

The retired general said the Thai army had fought those “vulgar Cambodians” at the Aranyaprathet border, and he himself had attacked them with bombs. He would not mind if there was another war. If the army does not fight, he will fight with his bare hands.

Finally Kim Il Sondhi:

Sondhi said that in the previous week he had had lunch with the ambassador of an unnamed European country. He explained Thailand’s present political situation to the diplomat through the allegory of an ancient Siamese king and his corrupt prime minister. The prime minister served the king for six years, and embezzled the royal treasury. The king confiscated his wealth and sent him into exile, as a light punishment.

The prime minister gave some of his embezzled money to his minions in Siam to stir up agitation in the country. He even caused rifts among members of the royal family. He eventually sought help from the Khmer king.

Sondhi said he asked the ambassador what he thought should be done. The ambassador told him that there would be no other choice than to finish him off once and for all, and the king of Siam had to wage a war and conquer the Khmer kingdom.

This, my friends, is current Thailand.




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November 17, 2009 | Filed Under Being Farang, Culture Shock, Politics, The Thai Mind 

Comments

6 Responses to “This, Dear Friends, Is Thailand”

  1. Jarrett on November 17th, 2009 8.46 pm

    This website’s rhetoric is ramping up in pretty even fashion with that of the tensions that threaten to tear this country apart. Comparing Thailand to Venezuela and North Korea, comparing Sondhi to Kim Il Sung, and describing “contemporary fascism in action that would have put Hitler to shame” seems a bit over-the-top. Maybe it’s just me.

    Yes, the situation is scary. Yes, there are bad people on every side. But connecting Thailand to oppressive regimes and notorious despots seems like a bad fit. This situation is unique, it is complex, and simplifying it doesn’t do anyone any good. Thailand is not North Korea, Dan. Or China, for that matter.

    It seems like you might be falling into the same trap that you’re trying to rally against. But I guess this too is the state of current, web-based journalism. Gotta shout to get heard, just like the reds and yellows on the mike.

  2. BangkokDan on November 17th, 2009 9.02 pm

    Sorry if I’m calling things by their names Jarrett. Weren’t we all yellow some three years ago?

    This site offers all the sides, a balanced diversity of points of view. It seems you’re never checking the News Feed linking you to ASTV-related sites (TAN) and similar shades of colors.

    North Korea in an earlier piece was mentioned in regard to the mobilization of the masses. And Hugo is not a bad guy!

    Kim Il Sung? Not my invention – find the reference here.

    This site is neither praising Thaksin nor Abhisit.

    The yellow language, in public, and most probably much of the red language as well, is punishable by law in slightly more advanced countries.

    But Sunday’s rhetoric tops it all I’m afraid.

    BangkokDan

  3. c. on November 17th, 2009 10.02 pm

    Yes, Thailand is not yet nor does it have to become a full-blown fascist state and PAD/yellows (who also are calling for Thailand to grab part of Laos, the area north of the Thai border up the the Mekong, the “lost territories”), despite their arrogance in assuming to speak for all of Thailand’s citizens despite never winning any elections or mandates, are not the actual rulers of Thailand yet, nor in all probability will the PAD/yellows ever be Thailand’s rulers.

    Maybe this article in the Bangkok Post

    http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/27545/govt-told-to-treat-cambodia-subtly

    on shifting to a more clever and thoughtful policy on Cambodia is the beginning of the Thai intelligentsia’s “waking up” from its PAD/yellow slumber party, and hopefully the elite will come to its senses, open itself up to accept at least some social change and go back to being clever middle-way Thais like their ancestors …

  4. CDRT on November 18th, 2009 12.20 pm

    That smiley’s very apt Dan I’m afraid.

  5. Jarrett on November 18th, 2009 1.10 pm

    I think (but am unsure) that you’re missing my point, Dan. I read this site because you do an admirable job of covering all sides. However, you’re also falling prey to the same sort of hyperbole and over-reaction that plagues Thai politics and fuels these shrill political rallies.

    The situation in Thailand is nothing like any of the historical parallels you’ve been sketching lately. Thailand is not North Korea, or Nazi Germany. Absolutely Bangkok seems to have a fairly warped interpretation of state-sponsored mass mobilization, considering that opposing forces have been able to mobilize within the same state. And really, drawing a Hitler stache on a smiley face and comparing the yellows to Nazis (even if you absolve yourself as a mere messenger) seems to me like a cheap trick.

    I’m not red and I’m not yellow. But I am in favor of balance and reason. And that’s been in short supply here lately.

    (BD: Appreciate your comment Jarrett. Still, a blog is not a newswire.)

  6. Jarrett on November 18th, 2009 1.24 pm

    That is true! And you do a great job of covering those, too, Dan. Cheers.

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