Thais ten greatest fears
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The coming decade: Thailand's ten greatest fears
By Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation
Published on January 4, 2010
WE LIVE in the great paradox of our times. Thai people live longer and
better than their ancestors enjoyed centuries ago. Yet, as we enter
the second decade of the 21st Century, we are today more afraid of
everything than before - just read the headlines in the Thai press
during the past three days. To survive, a clear mind about ourselves
and society - shortcomings and potential - is needed. The following
ten greatest fears must be wrestled with and brought to ground.
1. CONCERN OVER HIS MAJESTY. The Thais have taken for granted that
their King would live forever. Universally they would never think of
losing a king. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej is 82 years old and
has recently recovered from a month-long illness.
Sooner or later, the people of this country will have to decide on
their political future - as nobody else can or will. Since 2001,
political developments have pushed forward myriad forms of governance.
Constructive and open debate on the unique institution he represents,
so far enjoyed by foreigners, must be encouraged among local
intellects. For the time being, lessons and insights culled from
present and former kingdoms, near and far, would be useful.
2. FEAR OF LOSING THAI WAY OF LIFE. The easy-going life style which
Thailand is famous for has long gone. At present we are a country of
cynics who do not allow other people to excel at things they can do
well. Every act seems treacherous these days. The usual Land of Smiles
and Amazing Thailand is no more. Thais need to think outside the box
and live on. A new Thai way of life that is more dynamic and
multicultural will emerge incorporating traditional and new values.
How can we stay free, as the word Thai means, if we remain static,
narrow-minded, passive with agonised faces?
3. FEAR OF LOSING NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY. Thailand, formerly Siam, has
warded off enemies and maintained the country's independence and
freedom. The leaders of yesteryear were triumphant because the people
were united and followed common leaders. However in present fragmented
Thailand, many power wielders exalt their own demagoguery. As a
result, ugly national tendencies have popped up. Right-wingers and
nationalist extremists rear their ugly heads once more and are making
news headlines everyday, recalling lost glories and territorial
integrity.
Fear of autonomy, in terms of lexicon, has blocked many doable
resolutions of century-old violence in southern provinces.
4. FEAR OF INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM. Of late, Thai society and people dare
not peer into the unknown. Proliferation of new media has made
attempts to block the flow of information and analysis, and keep them
unheard, impossible. Without openness and access to all forms of
information, mutated views and rumours that undermine public morals,
are found aplenty abroad. Without freedom of thought, local citizens
would be left out of information chains, crucial for the country's
survival and progress. Thai society should not fear intellectual
freedom. We are a resilient people and capable of absorbing the severe
shock of harsh realities.
5. FEAR OF COLOUR-BLINDNESS. Colours epitomise freshness or
revolutions in other nations. Over here colours could mean bloodshed.
Visitors fear getting caught wearing two deadly colours - yellow and
red. Even US State Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton wore a turquoise
colour dress during her only TV press interview in Bangkok - not to
appear on the wrong side. If the colour division continues, it could
be the country's biggest time-bomb. Strange but true, during economic
hardship, ordinary folks forge a sense of belonging and security
through colour identification. The rich and poor Thai, like football
fans, can mingle with oneness of colour. Cheers and boos accompanied
by hand or foot plastic clappers are panacea these days.
6. FEAR OF INSIGNIFICANCE. This newly coveted social value was brought
about by the ascension of tycoon cum exhibitionistThaksin Shinawatra,
who adores success, extravaganza and significance. Willingness to pay
for deceptive schemes to increase significance is rampaging in all
strata. Self-adoring stories and biographies written by ghosted
writers are popular among the well to do. Live events organised by
professional groups are in trend to create illusions of past grandeur
or never-have been experiences. One common theme runs through these
books and live events - the claim of being humble and more full of
metta [universal love] than others.
7. FEAR OF POLITICAL CHAOS. Numerous disturbances and political
turmoil,including the April would-be carnage, were avoided partially
due to Abhisit's ceaseless luck and good karma. His leadership's
transparency and accountability has helped his political longevity in
executing, not abusing, power. This quality will help him to reign-in
military and police top brass, especially those with close ties with
Thaksin. Again, pundits have predicted political conflict will go on
and perhaps intensify this year. Deep in our gut, we must not be held
hostage by catastrophic writers, who refuse to correct mistaken
perceptions but choose to amplify them. Self-defeating illusion has
become a serious pandemic.
8. FEAR OF TELLING THE TRUTH. The way wide-eyedJatuporn Promphan of
the Phuea Thai Party manufactures lies and gets away scot free reveals
serious flaws in Thai society. He can easily outwit Joseph Goebbels,
the Nazi propagandist, as he is doing it so often. His boss, Thaksin,
is better as he acts out on the global stage using all available new
media outlets. The two follow Goebbels' famous dictate: if you tell a
lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to
believe it. Little lies, told repeatedly, will become a huge lie that
the Thai public takes as truth by default.
With millions of free-spending dollars and media spin over three
years,Thaksin succeeded in constructing a Potemkin Village, replacing
his homeland. Now some of these lies seem to be infecting countries
near and far.
9. FEAR OF ABHISIT'S WITHERING LEADERSHIP. The boyish leader has
baffled all observers by his infallibility. Thai public and media have
a Jekyll and Hyde dualism - an Augustus-like dictator but with a
playfully gentle quality. They adore a pliant prime minister.
Unfortunately, Abhisit does not fit in this mould. Unshakeable
composure during exchanges with opposition heavyweights cum rumour
mongers has become his magic wand enabling him to survive political
voodoos and media character assassinations. His non-prime-minister's
good looks are mainly to blame, pundits professed, but very few have
credited his political ingenuity - decency and the ability to
accommodate with existing institutions. We, as a nation, have a
dangerous mindset: no prime minister, or any leader, is good enough to
solve the country's problems. Therefore he is the problem. In weeks
ahead, it can impact on Abhisit's psyche and performance. He has to
walk a fine line. What would his character be if he morphs into a
ruthless leader or deal maker, as many wish him to be?
10. FEAR OF THE FICKLE FUTURE. It is the worst form of fear. Did the
worst come to pass? Probably not. Astrologers, who seem to govern this
crisis-prone nation, have worked overtime during New Year's Eve
churning out pessimistic visions of the country's future. Maniacs,
like retired General Panlop Kinmanee and Maj-General Katiya
Sawatdiphol, add fuel to the fire. Their egotism grows according to
casualties caused.
Self-fulfilling prophecy at work. Thai people normally get an
adrenaline rush hearing their lives will get worse, mired in ceaseless
violence. Some would work harder and save more by eating Mama instant
noodles, while others would want to get old quickly in order to
receive the government's Bt500 monthly allowance.
FEAR that Kavi and the elite have lost their minds. Well what can one
say. It's well worth deconstructing Kavi's ten gratest fears and worth
reminding him of the last few years.
He forgets that violence is successful and totaly acceptable to the
elite when it is used to bring down an elccted government but frowned
upon when used to bring about Democracy and social justice.
__________________
*
Jesus Christ , a long - term fucker of the Prostitute St . Mary 's cunt hole , is an Unique Son of GOD
faking as Thai
by using Thai names .
after the Old Thai King dies .
the Chinese will take over Thailand by their use of Thai
names .
Chairman Mao , expert fucker of Chinese High School Girl 's cunts in China
Thailand ,.
all Chinese in China are Thai people.
n Jan 5, 7:00 pm, "Jesus Christ , a long - term fucker of the
Prostitute St . Mary 's cunt hole , is an Unique Son of GOD"