Nazi symbols in Pattaya shock French tourist
A French tourist in Pattaya is shocked by the fact that he saw banners hanging with images of Hitler and swastikas. These expressions are not prohibited in Thailand, but it is of course not very nice.
The fact that people in Thailand do not understand that Nazi symbols are not very kink has two causes:
- Little historical awareness
- A swastika resembles an ancient Buddhist symbol: the Swastika.
Swastika
The oldest swastikas that have been found date back to 2500 BC. The Swastika was then widely used to decorate a Buddha. The sign was often depicted on the chest or feet of the Buddha statues. Later, Swastikas were also found in America, originating from the ancient Indians and this symbol was also used by the Mayas, Aztecs and even the Vikings.
In Buddhism, the Swastika is used as a sun wheel. And the four cardinal points are named with the 'hooks'. This sacred symbol is seen as the cycle of life. Another meaning in Hinduism is that it symbolizes cosmic consciousness and the creative principle. In other words, the progression of life and its evolution.
Because Buddha images are sacred and according to many stories and legends the Buddhas are in contact with Mother Nature, many Buddhas are decorated with the Swastika symbol. For people who have no idea that this sign originates from Buddhism, this can be strange.
The swastika is also rotated a quarter turn, so it is not completely identical to the Swastika.
Source: Bangkok Post and Bhoeddha-kado.nl
Also saw a stall in Pattaya with not only Nazi symbols. But also flags with the Nazi symbol and the text: Adolf Hitler 1933. An image with the image of Adolf Hitler. Saw a shop that sells masks. Including Hitler, Bin Laden, Gaddafi, and Saddam.
I don't think it has anything to do with not understanding the symbols. A simple Google search about Adolf Hitler and you know exactly what you are selling.
Have pictures of it, so if the editors are interested they can approach me.
Indeed, little historical awareness. When I first came to Pattaya many years ago, I was also dismayed to see public images of swastikas, including on German helmets from World War II. For many years on display and for sale along the road from Jomtien to South Pattaya, just after the flyover. Also tattoos of swastikas, of which the wearer was usually completely ignorant of its meaning and also did not realize that these tattoos could be shocking to Western tourists in particular. After reading the history, some regretted their choice. Incidentally, I have also regularly seen foreigners in Thailand/Pattaya, often on a motorcycle, adorned with Nazi attributes and the lack of historical awareness obviously does not apply to these scum.
Very many, if not most Thais, know nothing about this history, which is why the protest comes exclusively from abroad.
That this is clearly not about the Swastika symbol becomes even more clear with the image of the so-called Deutsche Adler and the image of Adolf Hitler.
Shocking images that do not give rise to a ban for the Thai government, as long as it does not concern their own politics or history, because they immediately react very allergic and exaggerated to most foreigners.
The swastika is also rotated a quarter turn, so it is not completely identical to the Swastika.
They are each other's mirror images: the hooks point in opposite directions.
And the Thai greeting sawatdie krap/kha also comes from there. It also means 'salvation and blessing, happiness and prosperity'.
It is true that Thailand's historical awareness of Europe is poor. But the shopkeepers who put up this junk certainly know better.
Dear Tino, That the Swastika swastika symbol is actually rotated a quarter turn is completely correct.
Incidentally, this was also clearly stated in the above story of the editors.
Only the image of Adolf Hitler, the further shape of the flag, and the so-called German Adler indicate once more that this is clearly the Nazi symbol, so that outside the relevant shopkeepers, a Thai government should also notice this .
john,
That quarter turn was a quote, and that is correct.
But I thought the Nazi swastika was a mirror image of the Hindu swastika. I now see that is not correct. The hooks of the swastika can go either way in the different religious traditions. Those of the Nazis only to the right.
In any case, the seller also knows, if you read his spells in the photo above, that this swastika has nothing to do with religion.
With his provocative sayings such as, Thailand freedom, Thailand Freiheit, he wants to show that this display does not go unpunished abroad, and Thailand is so free.
A very meager freedom, by the way, because when it comes to Thai affairs, you just disappear for years in prison for much less provocation.
I think if you turn it a quarter turn (90 degrees) you have the same result, isn't it an eighth?!
You often come across them on the large double-deck buses (grazzy buss) as well as an email, but then also say that they have no knowledge of that.
I am from Thailand and have been living in the Netherlands for over 8 years now. I didn't know a Jew, I didn't know Hitler. I heard them all for the first time here in the Netherlands. I mean uhh Europe and Asia…. I don't think they know what that means and I think they would respect them if they knew.
Know*
I think Thais' (or Asians in general)'s historical awareness of Western history is about as great as Westerners' historical awareness of Asian history.
For example, there are people who think that the swastika already decorated Buddha statues 2500 years before Christ.
That while the Buddha only lived about 450 years before Christ.
Still handsome of him... 😉
Thai ignorance?
Do we know their history so well? If they know the meaning for the farang, they will certainly behave differently in it and those attributes will be found less for sale.
The Thai are not extensively taught European history , it is a far from bed show for them , do we know their history , or do we know the history of the Chinese so well , Indie ?
The Thais who live in our countries and learn about that history will completely reject those things!
Everyone is surprised that the Thai sell it.
But apparently it is also sold well, otherwise it wouldn't be in those stalls.
A no, why should the Thai care about a war in Europe over 60 years ago?
Are we very concerned about war, slaughter and hunger in Africa in the present?
That's right, who cares about the Myanmar regime's genocide, which has been going on for decades among Burmese Rohynghia Muslims?!
Comparing apples to oranges a bit. If flags were sold in Thailand that glorified the murder of Rohingya, there would also be enough fuss.
Who doesn't remember the international excitement over the Nazi parade held by the prestigious Sacré Coeur school in Chiangmai at its annual prom a few years ago?!
A parade with Nazi flags, young people in Hitler Youth costume with Hitler mustaches in parade step giving the Hitler salute with outstretched arm.
It says more about the level of Thai education than about a fascist culture in Thai educational institutions.
Of course, there was a vehement protest from the Israeli embassy in Bangkok and the US headquarters of the school apologized.
What I mean: I understand that people want to demonstrate their moral complacency, but do people really think that this will prevent another holocaust?