Dangerous children's books, ministry "concerned"
At the end of September, the Ministry of Education announced that they had launched an investigation into children's books about pro-democracy groups. In October, the ministry said at least 5 of the 8 booklets "may incite violence". Prachatai English spoke with primary school teacher Srisamorn (ศรีสมร), the woman behind the books.
Children's literature in Thailand often focuses on teaching children how to be good and obedient and to teach them traditional values. There is not necessarily anything wrong with that, according to Srisamorn, but the literature could be much broader and more diverse. Only largely one-sided stories are not desirable, she believes. This is how the series of 8 children's books came about with the name “Nithan Wad Wang” (นิทานวาดหวัง, Ní-thaan Wâad-wǎng). Or “Fairytales of hope”. The colorful booklets full of drawing are made for “children from 6 to 112 years”.
For example, one of the booklets is about a mother who tells her red hangover about what she experiences on the anti-government demonstrations. Another booklet is about a yellow duck who goes on an adventure and fights for democracy. A third story involves a fire-breathing dragon attacking a native village. Here the inspiration is the experiences volunteer firefighters in the north of Thailand. Another booklet is about the life of Jit Phumisak, the intellectual and revolutionary who was executed by the authorities in 1966.
When asked whether children are not too young to read about politics, Srisamorn says that it is not about age, but that we talk to children and have an adult eye to see children's skills to learn things for themselves and to form an opinion to shape. “Do we want children who are fully-fledged citizens of the world? I think that's important”. “I want to make it clear to the children that whatever they want to learn, it is possible. That learning is fun”.
Srisamorn says her goal is not to make money from the booklets and everyone involved in the project is kind of a volunteer. The proceeds went to charity. Srisamorn actually did not expect that the booklets would actually sell a bit, but after the ministry announced that it would launch an investigation, everything was sold out within a week. At first she was very shocked and did not understand why the ministry considered an investigation necessary, but now she thanks the ministry for the attention it has generated.
How will this story end?
For the whole conversation with Srisamorn, see Prachatai English's website: https://prachatai.com/english/node/9554
See also:
Rob V., how does this turn out? We'll hear it.
Education in Thailand is a state matter and the government knows exactly what is good for you. Press censorship, 'difficult' people who are beaten up or disappear spontaneously and royalists who loudly shout that the demonstrators should be given a 'berufsverbot'.
The Royalists have a bunch of iron-eaters in their ranks. I only mention Rienthong Nanna and Warong Dechgitvigrom and they belong to the fanatical representatives of royalists, in other words: elite and uniforms. In that light I also see the brand new ruling of the Court about the demonstrations against the power of a certain family.
Surely they will find a stick to beat the author and the publisher.
Yep,
In Thailand it is better to stay below ground level, otherwise it can become dangerous.
We want to maintain the balance of power.
Since the ruling of the Constitutional Court last Wednesday, I expect that this story will end badly for Srisamorn and all those who contributed to those booklets.
For those who may have missed it: the Constitutional Court, whose 7 out of 9 judges were appointed by the coup plotters/regime, implicitly ruled on 10/11/2021 that anyone calling for and protesting changes to laws to power the king, must have the (secret) intention to abolish democracy with the king as head of state (constitutional monarchy).
This ruling has far-reaching consequences for Thailand's political future. Next year could be very hot.
https://prachatai.com/english/node/9545
https://prachatai.com/english/node/9548