Nazi knick-knacks in Pattaya
Yes, in recent years I have seen a few: riders of a motorbike with a crash helmet, reminiscent of a military helmet from World War II. To be more precise, it is a helmet of the German army, “decorated” with the swastika (swastika) on one side and the SS runes on the other.
I was greatly surprised that such a decorated helmet was allowed in Thailand. For a moment I thought at the first time, I will address that Thai at the next traffic light and point out to him that he is simply insulting many Europeans with this.
I know that the swastika is also a Buddhist symbol (from Hinduism). It is sometimes seen with tattooed Thais, but certainly in combination with the SS sign it gives a sinister image.
But it can get even crazier, because recently there has been all kinds of Nazi knick-knacks for sale late at night in Walking Street. I already mentioned the helmets, but also flags, pins, T-shirts, etc., all with the swastika and/or SS sign.
The English-language magazine Pattaya One devoted an editorial to this phenomenon, which quite rightly concludes that this sale should be banned immediately.
The article begins by recalling the October 2009 international row when Louis Tussaud's wax museum opened in Pattaya. As an attention grabber, a life-size billboard was placed on Sukhumvit Road, just after the entrance gate “Welcome to Pattaya”, with an image of Adolf Hitler with the (in Thai) words: “Hitler is not dead”. Fortunately, the text did not suggest that this idiot from the past still lives somewhere in Naklua and must be well over 120 years old by now. After many protests, including those of the German and Israeli ambassadors, this billboard was removed. The Israeli Ambassador, Mr. Itzhak Shaham then commented: “It is absolutely unacceptable that a monster like Adolf Hitler be used for an advertising campaign. How this could happen is really beyond my understanding.”
The fact that some Thai sellers are now openly selling this Nazi knick-knack in Walking Street has already led to great outrage among many tourists. The Pattaya One reporter then mentions the many tourists from Russia, where millions of people were massacred by the Nazis during the Second World War. The reporter could have mentioned many other countries in Europe, including Belgium and the Netherlands. Many of our compatriots also died during that war and fortunately that thought is still honored. It is now 65 years ago, but never forgotten.
A Russian tourist (a policeman) comments: “I am very angry that this is happening. I think the sellers should be arrested, fined and jailed. Selling this kind of rubbish is an aggressive act, not only for historical reasons, but especially given the current activities of neo-Nazis in Russia.
A Jewish resident of Pattaya was also asked to comment: “These people (the sellers) have no clue about world history. They just want to earn money quickly and that they are hurting other people with it does not even cross their minds.”
The newspaper also referred the incident to Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in California and received the following response by email: “It is important that people of good will understand, sale of Nazi symbols in all forms, pain and anger among millions of Europeans, the Jewish people and Gypsies. Adolf Hitler's Third Reich was responsible for World War II and all the deaths and sufferings that affected tens of millions of people. In addition, their ideology was racist. The genocide of Jewish people cost 6 million Jews, 1,5 million of them children, their lives. An alliance with Germany also strengthened Japanese aggression in Asia.
There is no doubt that if the so-called "Aryan Race" had won the war, other "inferior races" such as the Asians would also be dealt with.
Now, in 2011, the Nazi symbols are being used in Russia and other European countries by groups that are hateful to any colored person.
We hope that the good people of Thailand also see this and take measures to remove these rotten places from their markets.”
Like many, I also hope that this kind of rubbish will soon disappear from the streets. By the way, you wonder who buys this Nazi knick-knack, because apparently there is a market for it. When asked, a Western tourist said: "You must be a brain dead, complete idiot, to want to be seen as Farang with a Nazi helmet on your head".
What the tourist doesn't know is that we have quite a few Farangs in Thailand that fit his description.
Recently, in the countryside far away from Pattaya, saw a scooter with a Nazi flag driving around (red, white circle with swastika). They have no idea what it stands for.
On the other hand, I can remember that Hennie Vrienten from Doe Maar was on stage in a T-shirt with a Japanese war flag. This is more sensitive in Asia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRcj7xwXBPE
A combination of swastika, SS sign and German model helmet can really only be seen as a Nazi symbol. I think most Thai people have no idea what those Nazi symbols stand for. The crazy foreigners buying this junk should know better. Most Thai are taught nothing at all about WWII and the persecution of the Jews.
Now we Westerners see the Nazi past as the most terrible event of the past century. But what does the average Westerner know about other terrible events of the past century? Maybe we also accidentally offend large population groups?
I also think Thais look at such things differently. Thai markets often offer all kinds of material related to atrocities committed by the Thai government. And beautiful photos and videos of all kinds of violent cases. Maybe the average Thai doesn't understand our problem at all?
See that Adolf Hitler was used as advertising material was one thing, but he also hung next to Gandhi. Maybe that ad was created by one of those mindless NAZI helmet-wearing motorcyclists in Pattaya?
Chang Noi
Chang Noi, I think you indeed put things in a realistic perspective, without wanting to play down the horrors of the holocaust. For example, take a look at how much Mao rubbish is being sold in China. Wasn't a nice guy either.
It's very simple. There is no Thai who knows what the Nazis did in the Second World War. The Thai use it as a fashion phenomenon, moreover, the Thai does not live in the past. What has been has been.
Recently I came across another luxury coach, this time full of Thai people from BKK, with swastikas spray painted on the sides. I wondered if farangs were also transported. The bus driver was a big jerk, by the way, because he blocked the car wash and no one could get in or out, and he also refused to move the colossus.
I can well imagine that there are people who are disturbed by that Nazi stuff. Despite the fact that I lost both my grandfathers, it doesn't bother me. After all, it is about the person and his intention that carries it.
I must admit that you cannot expect an average Thai to know what the Nazis have done and even when the name Adolf Hitler is mentioned, almost certainly no light will turn on.
Yet there has been a sick brain, who bought the stuff somewhere and now offers it through Thai sellers.
I don't really trust it, but you could imagine that people at various Embassies read the article in Pattaya One or perhaps on this blog and make a protest similar to that billboard of the wax museum.
The piece already says that a swastika is also a Buddhist expression, so that it is on buses can be explained. Personally, I would refuse to get on such a bus. There is, incidentally, a difference in image, the Nazi swastika has a point down, while the Buddhist swastika with the "legs" is depicted horizontally or vertically.
Yes, Johnny, it is indeed about the person and their intent, but I can tell you, I definitely don't want to be seen around anyone visibly wearing Nazi knick-knacks.
Let's not forget that we are talking about a country where absolutely anything is possible ?
– Acting like an idiot in traffic…………..
– Sex with a minor……………
– Abundance of imitation articles……………
Now there are Thai traders who see a market in Nazi articles.
Next to them is his Thai colleague from whom you can order a girl under ten…
The whole idea behind the swastikas is no longer reflected in this way.
If we are concerned about the things that are not right in Thailand, the three seem to me
examples above a lot more current and therefore more important !!!
Completely agree with Gringo, is disrespectful, and I can think of more, but I've thought that for several years. I have also spoken to a seller about it, but he does not know what you mean if you want to explain it to him.
I've stopped "protesting" but still think it's a big question mark that this is possible. I think there have been protests to the city council or the police anyway. but apparently they don't care.
And indeed, as long as there are people who buy it, it will remain in trade.
Ruud
To be clear: I too find the atrocities committed by the Nazis appalling and degrading.
But not realizing that the Jews are being hurt ?? Have you ever seen that they actually do the same to the Palestinians in the Middle East?
And those poor Russians, oh poor, they have indeed done nothing wrong.
It would be better if we all behaved a little less hypocritically.
If you say A, you must also be able to say B.
I think if it bothers you then you shouldn't go to the country and just stay at home
then you don't see anything, we are in thailand for fun and their rules and behavior
in the Netherlands we already sour enough
it is still more fun and better than here
You can also regularly see Nazi knick-knacks for sale at Flemish flea markets and you can rather expect Flemish people to know what kind of memories that should evoke in people if that is the case with Thais.
The fact that those helmets do not protect is a nice bonus.
the Thai do not get history lessons at school and do not know what is happening outside Thailand my children also have Dutch nationality but do not know where NL is although I have a large world map hanging on the wall and have often pointed it out to them, put a Thai down for a map and ask where this or that country is ,
they don't know.Yesterday experienced another piece of ignorance was on the Aljazeera news that bin Laden is dead never heard of it was said so you can't blame those people and if there are things that bother you in Thailand go on holiday on the Veluwe or the Luneburg heath and stay away (I myself experienced the war and the hunger winter in A'dam) it doesn't bother me
you said it right theo people just sour
regards aad
A friend of mine showed up a few weeks ago with an Adolf Hitler T-shirt and I asked her if she was out of her mind? came as an answer, don't get excited, it's just a Charlie Chaplin T-shirt! I was deeply shocked by the knowledge of the Thais and have the concern. girlfriend but immediately sidetracked
Erik, then the love was not very deep. Those people know as much about World War II as most farangs know about the Thai wars / history and that is usually little to nothing.
I think some of the comments are a bit short sighted. oa we are in Thailand to have fun Yes sure it is. That goes for all of us, but that's why we can be critical of certain things without complaining, that's true.
And don't take the Thai for stupid, because they really aren't. Surely there has been someone who has really seen good bread in making this. That's stupid, but actually smart. I think that a large number of administrators have also traveled further than the walking street and therefore know what is going on in the rest of the world. Just read the Bangkok post.
I know we shouldn't be more Catholic than the Pope. But while enjoying the Thai sun with a Singha, we should continue to pay attention to what is happening in the world and what is happening around us. It's where we are ""GUEST"" so grumble a bit remotely.
We still want Thailand to remain cozy and that we can continue to have fun there. Therefore, do not close your eyes to everything when you are in Thailand
Have fun everyone
Ruud
Nazi costume party in Chiang Mai. Telling sentence about education in Thailand: 'Thai teachers 'did not understand' the controversy'.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2042097/Student-Nazi-dress-day-causes-outrage-Thailand.html