When Bangkok was just a French fort

COMMENTARY

Published: 21 Oct 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

The perception is that "them" _ the richer and more powerful _ manipulate, undermine and take from "us".

The game then is to take from them what we can, while giving them as little as we possibly can

On the Bangkok Post forum, a topic that arises from time to time is why Thailand is so open to foreign money, but so resistant to foreign ideas, influences and ownership.

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nitnoi
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Discussion 26 : 21 Oct 2012 at 19.1926
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Khun Voranai, You are acting like majority of parents who scold, punish your own children but will resent if someone else do your act to your kids, afterall they are yours not theirs.
As Thai living abroad for many years I still find that many our culture and traditions are still have very productive and positive influences to the younger generation.

You challenge the readers to have productive comments. Some do, some don't. Loosing Phra viharn to Combodia I would object fiercely. The history tell us our ancesters had forseen that being flexible as bamboos will not break the empire( some consider this act as coward).We lost lands to Frenc
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samurai
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Discussion 25 : 21 Oct 2012 at 16.3125
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As Samuel Johnson once said, "Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels"
Anyone can fly the flag and thump their chests in fury - usually for very sinister reasons as seen in the recent Preah Vihear debacle. Hun Sen does it, and so does every other phu yai in the Land when their own position is threatened. The Ministry of Culture, happy to dictate how and what should be done, but blind to the numerous garishly obvious massage parlors owned by "untouchables".
For those of us who are unimportant enough to be subject to double pricing, life goes on as usual.
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Doraemon11
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Discussion 24 : 21 Oct 2012 at 15.5224
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The article helped to understand, why things are so as they are, and/or slow to evolve. A historical point of view is always very important to know. Surely, it is not the only way to explain or to understand. Btw, cultural identity and values I personally regard them more important than authority, as the latter is only an external expression of the inner former - but that is a very minor detail. To support the article's intention, someone used to say "it is insane, doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results"...anything else than outdated and mono-dimensional views, complaints and judgements, Thai or foreign?
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meme
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Discussion 23 : 21 Oct 2012 at 14.2423
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The current regime got no interest to educate the poor people in our Kindom since it would lead to their loss of power.
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bern1005
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Discussion 22 : 21 Oct 2012 at 14.1322
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The desire to protect Thai culture and values is easy to understand as is the desire of the Thai business and political elites to protect their power and wealth from foreign competition. However neither are achievable via purely protectionist measures (except at a very high price to individual freedoms and damage to economic growth and the competitive ability of Thai companies).
Regardless of what we may wish, the future is global in terms of both culture and economics. Only the strongest and most competitive will survive and flourish and it is only by supporting change and learning from the best that success can last.
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pjt
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Discussion 21 : 21 Oct 2012 at 14.0421
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It is notable how the Japanese, Chinese and Koreans have engaged with the rest of the world, especially in business, without losing national identity or characterstics. They take special steps to learn the languages of the business world (often English). This second language becomes a neutral area in which external relationships can be conducted, with national languages (and the difficulty to learn them) remaining one of the barriers to protect national identity. Perhaps learning foriegn languages can be seen as a source of identity protection rather than encroachment
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Ian
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Discussion 20 : 21 Oct 2012 at 12.3620
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As any Thai is innately superior both in skills and intellect to any farang, then clearly we only deserve to be second class citizens, with very limited legal or civil rights. As to permitting a farang to voice a criticism, constructive or otherwise, that is definitely out of the question. Farangs are encouraged to bring their money to Thailand, but don't hang around too long and respect our superior Thai culture.
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rick88
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Discussion 19 : 21 Oct 2012 at 12.3519
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Khun Voronai, interesting article, however I would like to point out that majority of readers might not even be aware that Bangkok/Thon Buri was ever a French fort more so any relevance of this fact is so minor to the overall development of Thai Kingdom that forming opinions of Thai and foreign interaction would be unjustified. I would like to remark that going back to 1688 and trying to formulate any some sort off anti western/foreign pattern in Kingdoms attitudes to the rest of the world would probably require much more detailed and substantiated work than the one above. Further more in my opinion its unfair to suggest that that Thailand is
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peterl
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Discussion 18 : 21 Oct 2012 at 12.3318
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Mr Vorani makes a very fair point that Thais, along with everyone else, are prone to the excesses of nationalism. He asks for constructive criticism on how to tackle this problem. I think the best way to try to do this, as Mr Vorani himself does, is to calmly point out how these nationalist excesses do not in fact benefit the country at all, but on the contrary harm the best interests of ordinary Thai citizens.
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bangmodken
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Discussion 17 : 21 Oct 2012 at 12.0617
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Continuous polls lately,have shown figures of 75-80% of young Thais in favour of corruption. I wouldn't be too excited about any positive change in the near future.
Khun V,you talk about constructive critisism? Say that again,when law-abidding tax-paying foreigners are allowed the right to own our homes/land,full citizenship and every other right that we give Thais/Aliens in Europe. I do not claim it's easy,but in Thailand it's impossible. Also,I don't see your point in "percieved superiority",when commenting/criticizing on Thailand.
I'm sorry,but this article is a disappointment. You fell right into your own trap. Thumbs down.
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