Bangkok Post May 17, 1998
GUEST COLUMN / SOCIETY
The Two Sides of Thailand
by KRIENGSAK CHAREONWONGSAK
Thailand can boast about having one of the most friendly and gracious
cultures in the world. Guests from around the world take home with them
happy vacation memories of our nation each year. Why?
Because Thailand has many positive characteristics, making it very
"user-friendly" to those who come to experience our culture. Some of the
positive aspects of which include the following:
The adaptive nature of Thai people: We have used our adaptability to
prevent invasion and colonization. In 1855 the Bowring Agreement was
signed, keeping the powerful British army from invading our nation. In
stead, King Rama IV agreed to adopt Western systems of taxation,
justice and business into centuries' old Thai customs.
In doing so, a potential enemy was transformed into a trading partner. In
modern history, this trait makes for smooth political changes as there is
little dissent whenever new policies are introduced. In Thailand, change
is not a crisis, but a way of life.
Cultural diversity: Thailand consists of a blend of Chinese, Laotian,
Cambodian, Burmese, Indian, Mon and other peoples. We celebrate Chi-
nese New Year, Christmas and Ramadan, taking every opportunity to
turn an ethnic custom into a celebration of joy. In this way, cultural
differences have become building blocks rather than obstructions to
peace.
Filial respect: Children are taught to obey those older than themselves.
In this way societal customs, cultural preferences, rules of etiquette and
daily lifestyle patterns are transferred from generation to generation in a
fairly confluent manner. Peace is preserved by maintaining relatively
homogeneous family values and practices.
The ability to compromise: In disagreements, Thais would rather com
promise than use logic and justice. During the Ayudhaya period, one
king took a middle-of-the-road approach by quickly reinstating a popu-
lar but unruly nobleman soon after he had been disciplined. A French
advisor to the Thai royal court at the time observed, "A person who is
punished shamefully today may take a prom nent position tomorrow if it
were the King's wish." Because of the extreme effort invested in trying to
avoid confrontation, peace reigns in the Thai society - at least
superficially.
The ability to easily forgive: People who find themselves victims of unfor-
tunate circumstances are viewed merely as unwilling participants in the
cycle of karma (the law of cause and effect). Even when someone is
accidentally killed by a drunk driver, we look upon such an incident as
being inevitable, an unavoidable happening in the cosmic cycle of fate.
We have learned to live with whatever comes our way and quickly put
distressing events out of mind.
Relationship-oriented networks: We are taught to get along with every-
body in every situation no matter what we are feeling inside. Often we
carry a big smile on our faces irregardless of huge anxieties
hidden under-
neath. On a Thai face, a smile may not be a sure indicator of
happiness, yet it has the ability to stop serious fights and to resolve
stress.
On the surface our society seems calm, but in fact many factors exist
which cause conflict, dissatisfaction, violence and unfair judgements
between individuals. Our society is - in fact - anything but peaceful.
Thai society lacks the universal ingredients of peace: rewards for those
who work hard, clear definitions of right and wrong, decisions based on
logical reasoning rather than traditions, and patterns of expressing
kindness and seeking mutual benefit instead of personal gain.
When such values are missing, the creation of peace in society is
hindered because Thai people...
Lack vision: A popular saying states, "Fish are in the water and rice is in
the field." The abundance of natural resources in Thailand has inculcated
an overly relaxed approach to life. Even in the workplace managers
struggle to instill a predilection for advance planning in their employees.
An overload of crises and last-minute rescue efforts detract from a
peaceful flow within society.
Ascribe to a perverted patronage system: At present, those outside the
patronage system are deprived of opportunities for advancement. In the
workplace, promotions are given to those able to gain the most favour
from their bosses, rather than those with the best ability. As a result, cor-
porate environments are polluted by jealousy and even violence. The pa-
tronage system rewards those who can gain the best social connections
rather than give the best performances.
Adhere to power and position: During the Ayudhaya period, the Sakdina
system was used to identify noblemen. This harmless system, giving
preference to candidates with good family backgrounds, has been
transformed into a system where the poor and weak are oppressed at the
hands of those of higher social class. Peace in Thai society is
endangered when people of influence act on the basis of their own
interests rather than those which are fair and best for society.
Follow material rather than moral values: Thai people tell each other
"Money is more powerful than rules." People with money can gain an ad
vantage over others for everything from the services of the best doctors
to acceptance into the best schools for their children to permission to
illegally cut timber.
To get any sort of help or service, it is necessary to appear rich. There
fore, designer labels (even if they are pirated), flashy
jewellery and grandi-
ose wedding parties are important components of survival in our society.
Thai society is weakened when those unable to appear important or rich
are ignored and oppressed.
Oppress achievers: Repeated abuse of power has inured Thais from trust
ing those who appear sincere about helping society. In times of crisis,
the people anxiously wait for government intervention only to later
discover that the primary consideration was getting the biggest kickback
rather than finding the best solution. A Thai proverb states, "Do a good
thing, but don't be too outstanding or you will be in danger."
Use rumours for political or economic ends: Because Thais often lack
the ability to discern between right and wrong, newspapers publish the
most sensational news they can find. False allegations are levied against
individuals using a coded sys tem of initials (Mr. P, etc) which is anything
but obscure. Thus, the reputations of innocent people are maligned by
rumours which the general population unknowingly takes as fact. As a
result, gossip is considered the most reliable method of destroying one's
political or social enemies. Rumours divide Thai society.
Tolerate insincere relationships: Proverbs such as "Honest face,
crooked heart" and "Beautiful on the outside but hollow on the inside"
reflect the insincere nature of many relationships in our society. Political
promises are seen as nice wishes which will never be fulfilled. The govern-
ment often declares some practice illegal while violating its own policies
For example, the government profits much from its own lottery even
though it has outlawed gambling. It sponsors non-smoking campaigns
while continuing to produce and sell cigarettes to its own people.
Are self-centred: Many factory owners are not willing to install
pollution filters or to initiate recycling projects. Instead industrial wastes
are dumped into the sea or into the surrounding countryside. Many
politicians seek office only for the financial benefits they will gain. Every
individual in a selfish society loses.
Allow crime to govern our businesses and society: Fear and suspicion
govern our lives because of the insecurities of living in a crime-ridden
society. This is because Thailand is a land where the poor fear the police
and the rich and powerful. Money is an accepted way to smooth all
political, business and social transactions. People cannot live together
securely when the foundation of society is this kind of dishonesty.
Neglect human rights: At the moment, human rights live only in the
dreams of political activists and those imprisoned by poverty, handicaps
or position. The right to information is a concept traditionally foreign to
most Thai government agencies. Thai people are kept in the dark on
most government economic decisions, the status of government
projects and the performance reviews of civil servants.
Allow contempt of minorities: On the surface, Thais boast about our
aversion to conflict and violence, yet continue to insult underprivileged
people and ignore the needs of the handicapped. Rude slang is used to
refer to those of overseas ethnic back grounds, for example the Japanese
("Ai Yun"), Americans ("Ai Kan"), South Asians ("Ai Kaek") or Chinese
("Ai Jaek"). Such treatment is bound to provoke these people to
unhappy responses.
Resolve conflicts with violence: Al though Thai politeness and generosity
still exist, statistics indicate Thai land is increasingly becoming a vio
lent society. Thai boxing fans now call for bloodshed and even reward
the boxers who inflict the most physical damage on their opponents.
Political canvassers must risk their lives to distribute pamphlets.
Violence de tracts from the ability to engender a peaceful atmosphere in
society.
Gambling: Between 187 and 300 casinos now flourish in Bangkok. Illegal
lotteries are worth 325 billion baht each year. Unsettled debts cause
quarrels, domestic violence and undermines the strength of Thai society.
Thailand's current economic pressures are bound to bring out the best
or the worst in our culture. It is possible to use this time as an
opportunity to change some of the old patterns within our culture and
replace them with new, peace-engendering ones.
Dr. Kriengsak Chareonwongsak is executive director of the Institute of
Future Studies for Development.
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Last Modified: Sun, May 17, 1998