Will Thai luck ever run out?

COMMENTARY

Published: 13 Jan 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Thailand's culture is a passive and superstitious one that relies on faith, fate and sheer luck, with the ingrained belief that things will always turn out just fine. After all, karma dictates our destiny, and we bribe her quite well. So mai pen rai.

This, of course, is a generalisation. There are many exceptions, but not enough of them, and so the generalisation rings loud and true.

Every other day, there could be news of tourists killed, raped and scammed. Every day there could be dual pricing, xenophobia, corrupt police, inept officials, outdated visa rules or the like _ none of these things matter. Tourists will keep coming, foreign residents will keep growing in number and businesses will keep pouring in money. Things are just fine.

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

Forum

Your comments

boons
Post : 701
Send message

Discussion 3 : 13 Jan 2013 at 06.363
Post this to my Facebook
All unsustainable credit bubbles seem carefree on the way up. It's the return trip that tips nations into despair. Thailand is dismantling its key industrial advantages from agriculture to low-cost manufacturing, and replacing them with unsustainable dreams and expanding debts. World consumption is collapsing, and Thailand is planning a fairy-tale expansion -- imagining herself as the manufacturing capital of a new trade federation. (Never mind her neighbors have cheaper labor, and her importers aren't importing -- surely growth will come from somewhere). This week's new dream is tourism to Isan. Please.
Like dislike 85 people liked / 4 people disliked this comment
nns
Post : 201
Send message

Discussion 2 : 13 Jan 2013 at 06.142
Post this to my Facebook
So that explains why instead of donating to a charitable organization, people would rather 'tham boon' at the wat.
Like dislike 70 people liked / 1 people disliked this comment
ploydonut
Post : 335
Send message

Discussion 1 : 13 Jan 2013 at 05.541
Post this to my Facebook
I am think we are lucky to be Thai. We still are connect to our spiritual Buddhist belief, guide by someone special who show us a different way to live and think, through the perseverance and sufficiency. I am realise after visit Europe that we have more of everything, even if our building not look as good, or road not as clean..we have what we need and more, and that make us happy.
Like dislike 12 people liked / 107 people disliked this comment

First Previous 1 2 3 4

Will Thai luck ever run out? | Bangkok Post: opinion