Chalerm's right, it's a cultural thing

Published: 14 Feb 2013 at 09.40
Online news: Opinion

Few people know how Thailand works and how to work Thailand like deputy prime minister Chalerm Yubamrung does.

So when he said it is not corruption when three policemen are caught by a security camera demanding Chinese New Year tae-ear from an Indian shop owner, we should heed his words.

The only mistake, according to the deputy prime minister, was that the policemen in question collected the tae-ear from an Indian shop owner, rather than a Chinese one.

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faceless
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Discussion 26 : 16 Feb 2013 at 06.1726
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Awareness and urgency are certainly good for starters. It's when the need for commitment, sacrifice and change comes it all falls down.
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DavidMac
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Discussion 25 : 16 Feb 2013 at 05.2725
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A thoughtful and provocative article. Thai society is one based on relationships and relationships take priority over principle, however difficult this is for farungs. There are two different types of relationships. There are those based on grateful relationship, ie bhun khun; gren jai (spelling?), and those based on sit amnuat (spelling?). Grateful relationship are the stuff of traditional culture which make Thailand strong. The abuse of sit amnuat destroys the nation. If you look a the red yellow divide it is all about defining who is acting out of bhun khun and who is abusing amnuat, that is why itv went. What is the answer?!
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Victor
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Discussion 24 : 16 Feb 2013 at 03.3724
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@bkk-farang#14
Displaying pictures of high ranking officials, especially the signed ones, will generally deter any harrassment by junior state officials; but, as happened in this case, this is no longer true because Thailand nowaday has so many generals.
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ubuntu
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Discussion 23 : 16 Feb 2013 at 00.1023
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In addiction medicine (alcoholism/drug) the addict need not hit rock bottom as a prelude to enlightenment/ change.

INTERVENTION
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nitnoi
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Discussion 22 : 16 Feb 2013 at 00.0822
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If giving Tae ear volunteerily and being turned down by receivers, its said bad luck for the givers. I don't know if itis the fact, I first working in USA with some chinese clients, not during the new year but for the job done occasionally I would get socalled tipping. I refused for I have earned salary not like the workers who rely on tipping because they get pay very low and allowed to keep the tipping money.If Indian shop handle the envelope to those police men they could turn it down I don't believe its Indian culture. They do it because they hope they won't be harrassed in the future.US's tipping nation.I don't tip if service is lousy.
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geoffo
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Discussion 21 : 15 Feb 2013 at 23.0321
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K Voranai. I think your perception about poll after poll saying Thais accept corruption is lagging behind reality. With the rapid cost rises and everyones diminishing purchasing power, I don't know any Thai that accepts pay offs now even Hi So's.

I think modern reality is that phuyai power is being steadily eroded. Social media and devices like cameraphones means crooked officials are exposed more and more like the cops in the suit shop or the cops last year who pulled a gun on an aunty they were extorting.

Look at traffic cops today, they still scam but they all carry ticket books now don't they - and often actually write one out
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oldexp
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Discussion 20 : 15 Feb 2013 at 22.0620
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Thank you Khun Voranai, thank you all for the comments.
It is very interesting to read most of the (red) names have also a very divergent stance on these cultural issues.
I more and more understand why they (the (red) names) accept, even love, the great fugitive and his cronies in the government. They love TS the guardian of the old Thai culture - which makes it implausible that they (this followers) will ever accept democracy.
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pjt
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Discussion 19 : 15 Feb 2013 at 21.2719
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But is not culture really just the sum of our habits - good and bad? The definition of a bad habit is that it has bad consequences - either in the short or long term. Is not the cry of 'its cultural' just an excuse to perpetuate the bad habits? Habits can be changed - its difficult but possible - by having an incentive and substituting the bad habit with something better. But the first step is to recognise the damage that is being done by your bad habit. The media in this country could do far more to explain and highlight the consequences of the bad habit of corruption to the Thai people's long term well being
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kasper
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Discussion 18 : 15 Feb 2013 at 21.2618
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@boontong, d16.

I didn't say I knew, I said I would bet you.
Why would they know the details of a chinese tradition? They are Thai and Indian! None of the Thais I know run around "giving and receiving", but some of them have alot of fun with those red firecrackers on a string, and others just party and get drunk!
But I'll give you a chance to prove me wrong. Go and ask 10 random Thais on the street tomorrow, and see how many of them have the slightest clue what you are talking about. Or even better, say some of your chinese words, and suggest that they give you a present - and wait for the blank stare in their faces :-)
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howell
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Discussion 17 : 15 Feb 2013 at 21.2017
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'Few people know how Thailand works and how to work Thailand like deputy prime minister Chalerm Yubamrung does'.

Excellent summary of just how corrupt the country is given how corrupt Chalerm is.
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Chalerm's right, it's a cultural thing | Bangkok Post: opinion