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Home » Remarkable » Thai angry about Buddha statues on Dutch toilet
Thai angry about Buddha statues on Dutch toilet
In Bangkok Post is the message that two Thai people living in the Netherlands have started a campaign on Facebook against the image of Buddha in a public toilet in Brunssum.
Facebook users named “Anuchit Pomthong” and “Nok Ja” have posted the photo on their page, saying they are protesting the blatant use of the Buddha image.
They call on compatriots in the Netherlands to also protest against this expression, which is considered offensive to all Buddhists.
“You can help us by sharing and spreading this post, with pictures of Buddha in public toilets in the Netherlands. We have asked the authorities here to remove them, but they have no intention of doing so," the activists said.
They have now also requested the Thai embassy in the Netherlands to discuss this with the local authorities so that the photos can be removed.
BOELS rental company
The mobile toilet is owned by rental company BOELS. These so-called Bio Boxes can be used as temporary toilet facilities. The company's details are printed above the head of the Buddha image.
As an artistic expression I can appreciate it, they are beautiful photos (no crazy “headless” Buddhas or something like you see in many garden centres). But I can also understand that people find the location of the imprint inappropriate. I wonder if people would also refuse if a religious figure was depicted (Jesus, Mohammed, ….)?
By the way, I think it would be useful to (also) protest at the company that owns the toilets.
A tasteless choice from BOELS. But above all very stupid. Think first before you paint something like that on a toilet.
In that respect, it evokes associations with Thai schoolchildren in Nazi uniforms, not particularly smart either.
So there is always something.
Quite right, Peter.
Would Boels dare to place an image of Mohammed?
Would the local authorities react so lukewarmly?
I think that a revolt would break out among the short-toed group in no time.
In the Netherlands, the image of Buddha is mainly used as a decoration or something in the house, garden, or in this case the street image.
They will just have to get used to that, and if they don't like it, just go back to Thailand.
Too much noise is already being made, mohamed in a cartoon, buddha on a toilet, baby jesus in yab yum, and we can go on and on!
It's all about nothing!
And the owner of Boels is probably not a frequent Thailand goer.
@Holland Belgium House, completely agree with you. I also don't understand why many Dutch people are suddenly concerned about Buddha. There must be those expats who suddenly become more Catholic than the Pope and suddenly get an inspiration of religious awareness. When people still lived in the Netherlands, people were tolerant, they laughed at the cartoons of Mohammed and watched the “Passion of Christ”, but now that it suddenly concerns Buddha and 2 frustrated Thais, people are suddenly indignant. Let those Thais worry about their own abuses in Thailand, for example those illegal dog transports every month, let those 2 Thais start a campaign about it in the Netherlands. I think Buddha would have liked those posters too. As usual, a nice case of how many fanatical followers get excited about something that the person in question, if he were still alive, would have expressed very differently about. Is this the tolerant Buddhism that many Thais and many expats boast of?
@Cú Chulainn
I just have the idea that those who are so busy and excited here are the NL people who live in NL with their Thai partner and those who live in Thailand with their Thai partner a lot less…
That's right Krung Thep, my wife is Thai, and doesn't care at all!
There is something else, a Buddha only has a value if he is blessed in the temple according to the Thais.
I assume this didn't happen with Boels' toilet, so it's just an image, just like a photo of a cow, sheep, tulip field, car or whatever!
@KrungThep, uhh… the newspaper article talks about two Thais living in the Netherlands. So with their NL partner it is about 4 people. But given the number of outraged reactions, it seems to be more than 4. What nonsense, really. Again, let those Thai in NL protest about youth prostitution and those dog transports in their own country. Considering a previous article, more Thai bloggers believed that you should respect the country's eating habits, many thought that eating dogs in Thailand should be accepted by us. Apparently people are now more indignant about a Buddha poster than the many thousands of dogs that go from Thailand to Vietnam every month and die there under the most appalling conditions. So, respect our NL customs that we have separated church and state. Really very hypocritical that everything that concerns Thailand should suddenly be covered with the cloak of love.
This is about something it is disrespectful and not only towards Thai people but towards every Buddhist in the world, see that you buy a Buddha statue from the Blokker or Xenox for your own use to decorate your home or garden, you will never no one to hear about.
But it is very humiliating to depict a Buddha in a public toilet, this shows so little respect, and respect is what we are so feverishly looking for in the Netherlands in recent years.
Yes you kick people in the heart with this, and then come right with if you don't like it then you go back to Thailand (my wife is also Thai so she should go back because she doesn't like this?).
This is what you say to hardworking people who you generally never hear complaining about anything and who show respect for everything and everyone, can they please make their voices heard for once because their Buddha is depicted on a piss trough.
Nowadays everything should be possible in the Netherlands, which is, in my opinion, the reason that the Netherlands is what it is now, a country where norms and values are still a long way off.
And if the owner of Boels were a frequent Thailand goer (which I don't think he is) otherwise he should know the culture of the country and should know that in Thailand you have to keep your hands off two things and that is the King and the Buddha.
Company Boels it might be better if you first study a religion or belief a little more in the future before you take this kind of action again, sticking a Buddha on a public toilet is about the biggest insult you can give a Buddhist but can imagine.
Dear John H,
In my entire response to this article, NOTHING is said about your wife!
Secondly, I have been living in Thailand for many years (15 now), with great pleasure, and respect for the Thai, their culture, and their customs!
However, these toilets are located in the Netherlands, a country where we exclusively use an image of Buddha, for decoration, embellishment or the like of a house, garden or street scene!
However, if your wife can't live with an image of Buddha in the street, and get so angry about it, it might be better to move to Thailand with her, because something like this will NEVER happen.
The only problem you will run into is that you will not get any respect from many Thai people, and that the average Thai has no respect for the falang either!
And that's getting worse!
What do you think of, for example: a falang cannot buy land, not even with cash?
For example, do you think of entrance fees that are sometimes up to 10 times the price of a Thai entrance ticket for foreigners?
For example, what do you think of the scams with jet ski rental, by definition ALWAYS with foreigners?
Is this respect? I can add a few more, but then the story gets so long.
No Jan H, when it comes to respect, I think the Thai of our Netherlands can learn a lot!
I hope the moderator doesn't brush this off, because I'm making a few points that are unfortunately not very positive about Thailand.
T is a beautiful country to live in, but when it comes to respect……….it is a lot better in .NL.
Dear Belgium Holland House,
I know how things are in Thailand, I have been coming here for more than 25 years.
But it is all being taken out of context now (my wife knows nothing about an image of a Buddha on a toilet) I gave it as an example of your suggestion that anyone who criticizes in the Netherlands and was not born here but must return to his own country.
We sometimes disagree with certain things in Thailand, so we should go back to the Netherlands if we express this.
Of course things are not good in Thailand (eg tackling that jet ski hard) and of course it's not about cartoons but it's about respect for each other.
We can come up with an excuse for everything, we can involve everything, but the question is whether this is necessary now (although I believe that the Boele company did not do this consciously and the posters themselves are very nice only not in that place).
As a small country, we should always be at the forefront of these kinds of actions, and I don't know what you mean by a farang that gets no respect, but I do get that from Thai people.
Best regards,
Jan H
I think you're absolutely right man. The Netherlands is the Netherlands and the Thais or anyone else cannot be in charge there. We also have to keep quiet over there and certainly have no rights as farang, and those two things that cannot be touched only apply there, they can still keep people a bit stupid and under control, come on.
@dear Jan, it's about a POSTER I'm slowly getting the feeling of all the fuss about a few Mohammed cartoons.
@Jan, you can never advertise like that. You always step on someone's toes. I thought Buddhism stood for tolerance?
Cu Chulainn:
Of course you can advertise, but you don't have to, the Boele company didn't do it consciously, I think they just thought it was beautiful images.
And of course you have to be tolerant in our society, but that does not alter the fact that you can stand up for your opinion for the things that are close to you and that you believe in (as long as it remains non-violent !!!)
thanks for your response
Jan H
There are plenty of opportunities to advertise, this can certainly be done without images of any religion.
I totally agree with Jan (Jan H says on 22 January 2013 at 13:54 ) it's about respect and nothing else!
Of course, just like in the Netherlands, there are many things that cannot be called good, but that is not the point of this piece at all, so to include that in my opinion makes no sense at all and makes this whole discussion superfluous.
I too have been in Thailand for many (22 years) and I don't know at all what you mean by a farang that gets no respect, but I also get that from the Thai people. If you are respectful yourself, you will get it back, right?
Placing Buddha images on these bio-boxes has nothing to do with advertising at all, but is just decoration.
Let all those people worry about really important things, and not something so petty. Get a life!
Just as has been written here in other comments, I regularly see Thai youths with Nazi shirts. A large proportion of Europeans do not like that. But do you really think that the Thai care what we think about it?
A rather short-sighted response.
The fact is that many of us can understand that it is not really appropriate for Buddhists.
Unlike another group that reacts rather, how shall I say, differently, the Buddhists will not.
They try to convey in a reasonable way that this kind of business is not really nice for Thai people, among others.
And the reaction that if they don't want this, then just fuck off makes no sense, I think.
Of course, we can also just show some respect for whatever faith we have, right? But nowadays everything has to be possible and possible... I admit that it sometimes goes way too far to ban or remove expressions just to keep the peace, but it can certainly also go too far. Personally, I think this statement goes way too far and is definitely about something! I therefore hope that the company in question will remove the bio box.
The Dutch are not Buddhists. Most people will only see a Buddha poster as decoration and will not attach any value to it. I don't have to respect other religions, at most accept.
If you believe in Buddha, Mohamed, God or anyone else, hang a prayer picture on your own wall at home and give it the value you attach to it and leave other people alone.
A picture is a picture and has only the meaning that people attach to it. Don't think that the landlord of the boxes meant anything offensive by it. Probably thought “nice picture, nice color for such a boring toilet”.
If you live in the Netherlands, it is best to accept Dutch norms and values and that includes less and less faith. Believe that you are comfortable at home.
At my house there are statues of the Virgin Mary and holy water bowls on the toilet, at acquaintances there are dolls in glass that you can shake and then it will snow, at another there are spells on the wall. Everyone is just having a good time.
If I live in Thailand, I have to adhere to Thai standards and there you have a lot less freedom than in the Netherlands. In Thailand I have often been amazed at the many Nazi flags hanging in all kinds of entertainment venues. I saw photos on Facebook of Tokyo where eateries are called Hitler and are adorned with a Nazi flag, in Thailand you see motorcyclists everywhere with Nazi emblems and SS awards. The markets are full of them.
Have you ever asked a critical question in a bar/restaurant why Hitler pictures were hung on the wall. Got the answer that is a problem of your Europeans not of us, for us it is a decoration just like any other flag or image. What are you worried about.
So rightly so ... what are you worried about ... I have a neighbor in the Netherlands with a garden statue of a well-known Frenchman standing in front of his outside toilet. Surely a Frenchman would be offended.
All in all, I see no objection whatsoever to an image of a Buddha or Jesus, Napoleon or Churchill or anyone else on a wall or other place. A Thai in his own country is also not very sensitive to things he does not know, does not understand, that is not his thing.
@Ferdinand, I think this is the best comment. I have also been surprised about those motorcyclists in Thailand who ride around with the model of the German steel helmet. Those Thai are also not concerned about the fact that the German steel helmet was responsible for millions of deaths. But then you suddenly don't hear the Dutch. As with dog food, any criticism of Thailand is dismissed as respect for Thai customs and customs. In the Netherlands we have fought for centuries for separation between state and church (religion), and I am proud of that. Do all those indignant Dutch people really find that photo so shocking? It's just a beautiful poster of a Buddha that I would like to have. Those Thais, if they are so well established in the Netherlands, should know that we deal with religion very differently than in Thailand. There is no intent to offend at all. The poster was just decoration. Really, fuss over nothing. Those Thais are also not bothered by the fact that half of Europe last century had millions of deaths under Nazism, but nevertheless Nazi images can be found in abundance in Thailand. Where are those indignant Dutch people now?
Dear Ferdinand,
All you do is come up with all kinds of examples so as not to have to admit that you are offending people with this action by the Boels company.
You also come or live in Thailand, which is why I am so surprised by some of the reactions from others, it is not without reason that two hundred thousand Dutch people go to Thailand every year.
And why do we go there, the weather is nice, the food is delicious and the people are so sweet and kind and helpful, and the latter has so much to do with Buddhism.
And then you can come up with all kinds of examples of what is not good in Thailand, such as Nazi flags (in Buddhism and Hinduism, the swastika symbol or swastika as we call it has been used as a sacred symbol for centuries).
Because you have nothing to do with religion or a way of life, these pictures are just pictures for you, but for Buddhist people it is more than just a picture.
You don't have to respect a religion or a way of life, but you can show a little respect for the people who follow a religion or a way of life.
Totally agree with Holland Belgium House. A storm in a teacup there is always something that others can fall over. if they put trees on the toilet stalls then nature lovers are in a bad mood and if they put a sports car on it the car enthusiasts are hurt….grow up
Is that life according to Buddha, extorting and extorting people's money, corruption, rapes, the murders we read about every week, the so many deaths in road accidents due to drink, the jaba? What do we worry about if the Thai does not do it themselves? Go to the temple and everything will be fine again, come on! Here in the Netherlands everyone is being targeted and no one is complaining about it. Now Buddha comes into view and we are beeping. let everyone keep busy with their own, you're busy!
Respect that's all.
And if you don't know what you're talking about.
Then don't say anything, that's so much better than saying you didn't understand.
It looks so stupid.
You say that very well, Respect!!! If you understood it a bit better, you will see in a few examples that some people who are so close to Buddhism cannot respect us at all ( See posts about Phuket ). Protect those people nicely, I certainly don't participate in it, but I ignore people like that. The advantage is that I don't have to enter into a discussion with those kinds of people and therefore I can't cause any problems! I'm stupid what you say (talking about respect), that's why I enjoy living in Asia with my family and I'm only in my early 40s! I can't work there either...
I suspect that these two Thai are not yet fully established. But of course they have a right to their freedom of expression. Perhaps useful to get even more attention for their protest: painting the images of Jesus and Mohammed in two different places.
I'm in the Netherlands for a while, what are those Thais doing? It looks nice, it really doesn't bother me. That they are concerned about other things that happen in Thai. In the dirtiest brothels with minors in BKK, Pattaya and Phuket there are large Buddhas.
@Jack, correct, Thailand is known as a pedophile's paradise. Would Buddha have been in favor of that too? Let the Thai focus on that and the crime associated with mass prostitution. But yes, good money is earned there, so the Thai are silent. Apparently they couldn't earn anything from those two toilets. Those 2 Thais have had a good teacher in the many Muslims in the Netherlands, who are also constantly annoyed by something. What remains for you to stay in that godless NL, I would ask that Thai?
Sorry but what is this about? Surely the topic is still about an image of Buddha on a toilet? It is a pity that too often this kind of pointless comments appear on this nice blog (and more seem to be coming).
The people who give this kind of reaction are only too happy to pretend to be a Thailand fan, but prefer to give it away anyway, and no, after so many years, I have not looked at Thailand through rose-colored glasses for a long time. But to give it away in this way is really going too far for me.
Totally agree with Jack and Cu! What are the Thais worried about? Let them indeed worry about the many abuses in their own country, as has already been said here.
But no, as a Thailand fan you can't say anything wrong about Thailand! What nonsense !
This is a difficult subject, I think this company does not know about it
it is very hurtful and disrespectful to those who believe in Buddha when you see this
I understand that, but I think no harm is meant by it, the images
stand facing the outside, if this is also the case on the inside
yes then I think you should think carefully about it before removing it,
good luck with this move,
Pascal.
I understand that these Thai ladies respond to this, that nothing else is done with it, but again it is characteristic of the Netherlands.
If only the name of ALLA had been on it, even the government would have intervened.
Why discrimination
I actually think it brightens up the cityscape a bit, better than a boring green or gray container. In Europe, the image and figurines are seen much more as decoration. When you go to a coffee shop in the Netherlands you often see a Buddha statue or image, which is more associated with 'relaxing'; I think there are many examples of such use of Buddha.
By the way, I wonder ... .. if a Thai goes to the toilet, he / she would first take off his / her necklace with often a Buddha relic or image of Buddha before he / she goes to the bathroom or let them watch and from the air to enjoy?
Dear editors, I also wrote to the municipality and Boels
immediately received a message back from both the municipality and Boulders
this is their response
Dear Sir, Madam,
The last days we have received a lot of reactions due to the fact that we have a Bio box toilet with a picture of Budha on it.
We have produced this Bio box without thinking it would damage or insult any religion our group of people.
Boels never intended to offend somebody with these boxes.
As a company we have decided to withdraw these boxes with the picture of Budha from the market and we would like to deeply apologize to everybody who was offended.
Yours faithfully,
Boels Rental BV
Read this post: https://www.thailandblog.nl/ingezonden/boels-biedt-excuses-aan-voor-boeddha-toiletversiering/
How stupid can such a company be, they didn't put a picture of the prophet Mohamed or a statue of Christ on it. Brrrrrrr bunch of amateurs.
Budism is not a religion it is a way of life. In the perception of a Thai, respect has a different meaning. Very different from that of a Dutchman. A sense of honor and loss of face are also traits that are different among Dutch people. Having long toes is something personal. To the angry Thai I would say 'the follower of Buddha must stimulate the beautiful within himself, erase the ugly'.
Boels Verhuur BV, you have earned my respect with the decision you made
Sincerely,
Pascal
I agree with many comments that state they find it disrespectful. I agree. But I am convinced that Boels Verhuur did this without any ulterior motive, and only wanted to brighten up the street scene. I think Boels' reaction to removing these toilets with Buddha images is great! Compliments to Boels
I can imagine that there are people, Thai or non-Thai, who don't like it
a photo of Buddha in a public toilet. However, I think it is ridiculous to respond with, if you don't like it, go back to Thailand. I also think it is nonsense to include issues such as child prostitution. There are already plenty of protests against this, and there is no reason not to protest against anything until this has been eradicated.
Moderator: Dear commenter, you get all kinds of things. It's not about the subject anymore.
Everything has been said on this subject, we close the discussion. Thank you for your comments