Pastors and schoolmasters, we shall remain
My name is Ronald van Veen, 69 years old, still working in my own business (exporting baby milk to China), married for three years now to my Thai beauty 'Sao' and, given these circumstances, regularly staying in both Thailand and the Netherlands .
I was raised according to strict Christian norms and values (now I have renounced the faith), a democrat (not fanatical), supporter of the 'Rhineland model', and a selective reader of 'Thailandblog'.
Every now and then an article (in any form) appears that catches my special attention. Likewise the Column: The blog color of a coup. I will not go into the position and content of this column here.
But I could not suppress my growing surprise, taking note of the content of the many reactions that were about democracy, Dutch roots, universal values of human rights, striving for a reasonable distribution of wealth and good care for children and the elderly and all in the context of the military coup in Thailand.
Toad tunnel of 600.000 euros
It reminded me of my last visit (three months ago) to the Netherlands. Was told that a family member had been admitted to a nursing home in Zwolle. On my way there I was stopped by roadworks. When I asked what was going on, I was told that a tunnel was being built under the road to help the 'toad migration' to a safe crossing. Later I read that the costs for this amounted to approximately 600.000 euros.
When I arrived at the nursing home, I smelled a pungent urine smell in the room where my relative was lying. Saw my relative lying in a dirty diaper. Inquiries showed that the nursing home had too little money to provide good care. Astonishing contrast isn't it? Why distribution of prosperity and good care in our developed and politically correct Netherlands?
The Thai is raised not to criticize
The alleged view that norms and values that take root in every culture have nothing to do with whether you are Western, left-wing or intellectual, is utter nonsense. Norms and values, which form the basis of a culture, are not hereditary, are not in your genes at birth. Norms and values are determined by your upbringing, which in turn strongly depends on which part of the world you were born in.
The Thai is raised not to criticize. Criticism is a loss of face and that is spoon-fed to the Thai in such a way that it looks like indoctrination. That an uncritical society does not learn from its mistakes and incites cadaver discipline; oh well the Thai 'wai't' this away.
Cadaver discipline is often seen in Thai society. A thousand times the same. But the Thai is happy with that, goes to the temple, performs incomprehensible rituals such as buying a caught bird or fish and then releasing it. Brings luck they say. When I comment that if you don't catch the bird or fish it might bring better luck, they look at you and think 'farang tingtong'. Thai society is a succession of 'Silly Habitats' that we as Westerners will never understand.
33 coups; the Thai stood by and watched
I also believe that soldiers belong in barracks and should not get involved in politics. But similarities with 'paternal' despots like Marcos, Pinochet, Suharto, Assad etc. go way too far. The history of Thailand, the last 80 years, shows otherwise: 33 coups in 80 years, the Thai stood by and watched.
The Thai believes that a 'democratically' elected government always makes a mess. They know that the army will intervene. Belongs to their culture. Of course I also see the coup-contras with three raised fingers. But most of what I've seen are Thai people cheering the military and giving them food and drink. The Thai likes it that way. Democracy? It means nothing to the average Thai. If you ask the Thai what they think of democracy, most Thai will not answer. They really don't understand it at all.
If you ask the Thai what was so wrong with the Yingluck government, they will get no further than that it bought votes and was corrupt. Oh yes, the rice mortgage system and the corruption that takes place there will also be discussed. But no one is talking about the fact that this system dates back to the 80s and that the corruption has taken place from the very beginning.
The Thai lacks historical awareness. Each story is based on the principle 'as the wind blows, my skirt blows'. There is no depth. Most Thai are happy with this coup, only we Dutch are not. Remarkable right? The Thai firmly believes that the army will solve it, implement reforms and restore democracy. Reality will show that we can wait for the next 'wrong government' and history will repeat itself.
The Thai thinks he is special
The moral of this story. The Thai thinks he is special, different from the rest of the world. The Thai believes unconditionally in its own norms and values. They have nothing to do with democracy and understand nothing about it. But we Dutch, here in Thailand (and not only in Thailand), have a monopoly on wisdom and, not denying our roots and related upbringing, we look at this with horror.
Shame on Thailand that you don't understand democratic norms and values. Shame on Thailand for taking this otherwise peaceful military coup into your arms. Pastors and schoolmasters, that's what we will remain, showing the whole world our finger. A neo-colonial streak?
Ronald van Veen
Submitted communication
The Thailandblog Charity Foundation supports a new charity this year. That goal is determined by your blog reader. You can choose from nine charities. You can read all about it in the posting Call: Cast your vote for the 2014 charity.
A great argument Ronald and I can only agree with it. The Netherlands is off track, and not just as far as toads are concerned. If possible, I would like to meet you in person in Bangkok if it suits you. Can we exchange experiences (also with regard to China). Furthermore, I would say, don't stop at this article. I think Thailandblog has plenty of room for these kinds of opinions.
I live in red castle Chiang Mai and stay out of politics. Commenting doesn't help. People are so convinced that only the red can be good.
That the army seizes power is good to bring stability, but eight leads to nothing good. Certainly not if people with a different opinion are silenced with a gag order or imprisonment.
Act like the Thai, wait.
Wonderful article Mr van Veen. Congratulations.
I agree with the writer that we can mainly observe as outsiders. The Thai will not allow itself to be prescribed by us and rightly so. This is the East and the East is different.
However, the article also suggests that it is a kind of laws of nature and that history will repeat itself endlessly. Whether that is the case remains to be seen.
I've been coming here for about 35 years now and I've seen a change. In the past, a Thai was a Thai, ie with a strong national identity. King Buddha and homeland. The rich were rich and the poor were poor. However, a dynamic has emerged in society that brings more instability. The passivity is still great, but slowly but surely more people are coming who don't just let it happen to them anymore. The contradictions become sharper and a dichotomy arises that is no longer so easy to brush away (and “putsch” away). Next elections will bring the same misery again and perhaps the army will be forced to stay in power for a long time. In any case, that would be an important step backwards for the Thais, because the world around them is not standing still and will take an increasingly critical look at what is happening here. The Thais themselves are also becoming better informed about what is happening.
My position is therefore that there is emancipation of the lower layers of the population, which will lead to an escalation of the contradictions. The good side of this is that those in power will be forced more to consider the well-being of the bottom of society in addition to self-enrichment. If that realization penetrates sufficiently, there is still hope for gradual development and chaos or dictatorship can be prevented.
“We will remain ministers and schoolmasters, show the whole world our finger. A neo-colonial streak?”. A nice ironic ending to this article. Because ... an excellent qualification of everything above.