Statement of the week: Thais are like little children
Men dressed as women, someone getting hit on the head with a (hopefully rubber) sledgehammer, someone getting their face smeared with mud, someone getting their leg lifted. These are just a few scenes from Thai television programs, where the audience (visible, no canned sound) is having a great time.
An expat once said: Thais are like little children. Apparently the kind of humor didn't appeal to him. He probably didn't know Willy Walden and Piet Muijselaar either, because those comedians performed in dress like Miss Snip and Miss Snap (1937-1977) And what about André van Duin's act, in which he wears a silly moped helmet.
Anyone who has ever watched game shows on Thai TV may come to the same conclusion. Candidates fall into the water, fall off a mechanical bull—there's a lot of falling in those programs. In a song contest, the loser gets a load of white flour on him. And the audience laughs.
Parliamentarians also sometimes resemble bickering toddlers. Fresh in the memory are the images of the pushing and pulling when a member of parliament was removed from the meeting room by the police and images of another member of parliament throwing two chairs at the chairman.
Occasionally the expression 'Thai are like (small) children' pops up in comments on Thailand blog. Reason to present it here in the form of a – yes, we know – provocative proposition and to ask you: Are Thais just like little children? Or do you not think so at all? Explain why or why not? Please arguments, examples, no slogans.
The average Thai apparently prefers slapstick humor. At least, that's the impression you get when you watch Thai TV. Then we could also say that the average Dutchman is just like a small child, because Paul de Leeuw was a viewing figure gun for years and I do not believe that the man falls into the category of humor that makes people think, or provokes. He did, by shitting guests on his program and millions feasted on it - but no humor that makes you say: "wow, this has been thought about".
I think it is a wrong statement because it is so generalizing. He assumes “the Thai”. I know plenty of Thai people who never watch TV because they don't like what is shown there every day. I know other Thais who are utterly embarrassed when confronted with the images of politicians throwing chairs at each other during a parliamentary session.
So no, this statement doesn't make sense to me.
I've had to watch this kind of program a lot. Often also during long bus journeys.
Underpants fun. So you can't always escape it, but it's not my choice.
Nevertheless, it does not say much about the Thai people ~ I estimate that this kind of pranks will also appeal to a certain audience in the Netherlands.
I think it's childish stuff, but if it affects people... leave it that way.
We have to accept that we are strangers there and we are really not asked for our opinion. Swallow or choke..
What nonsense ! Of course, Thai people are not little children! On the contrary, we Dutch could still learn a lot in terms of respect and decency. (And yes, there are also indecent Thai citizens walking around, just like in the Netherlands). The same applies to Belgians, who are often seen as “different” by Dutch people. The same applies here. What is the difference with TV programs such as Whipe Out, the show by Linda and Tineke Schouten. If there is one nation that excels in “sub-book fun” it is us. (And that can also be fun from time to time!). Apart from the fact that I am proud of the Netherlands and very happy that I am Dutch. But yes, complaining is in our blood. So stop this kind of nonsense and that belittling behavior very quickly. Beautiful (holiday) country, beautiful people! And you know it: whoever does good, meets good. Perhaps that is the reason... Ad.
It is totally incomparable regarding the Dutch and the Thais!
Such as Willy Walden and Piet Muijselaar, who performed comedians in dress as Miss Snip and Miss Snap (1937-1977). And what about André van Duin's act, in which he wears a silly moped helmet.
In their free time, (most) Thais also watch cartoons and children's programs on TV, and enjoy this.
I also regularly see adult Thais playing with their children's toys,
and they only watch the news on TV and/or newspapers when something bad has happened.
In other words, the motivation and interest of the average Thai is very low.
If those who want to contradict this because they married a Thai…ok
But every day I see so many childish acts among the Thais from 12 years old to the elderly Thais, and we really cannot compare this with the Dutch.
It's not for nothing that public libraries are full of comic books,
and in the few reading books that are mostly about Rama 1,2,3 etc, there are often pages with
pictures or photos torn out.
In recent years, things will change somewhat, since the girls of today's Thai teenagers are learning better and are becoming more sensible, and are therefore no longer interested in that childish nonsense. The teenage boys, on the other hand, lag far behind these teenage girls!
This is because the motivation of these Thai teenage boys is low in terms of studying and working.
That's why I have few Thai friends (men), mostly only women!
Are the Thai like little kids? No, or yes, but no more than the Dutch, Belgians or Chinese. Are Thais independent longer and do they behave more like children, even though they have reached an adult age? My answer (and the answer of my Thai friends who have also lived in other countries of the world) is yes.
At the risk of inviting Tino to a new discussion about Thai culture, I would like to say that more Thai than Dutch young people are kept 'small' by their parents. My Thai colleagues talk to the students as if they were children and sometimes use the term Dek, child. I have NEVER experienced that in 10 years of teaching at a Dutch university. I became self-employed myself by leaving home when I was 18, with my own scholarship for which I was responsible. Not studying meant no scholarship and therefore work. You become independent by – supported by your parents, family and friends – forming your own opinion; often contrary to that of your parents. Thai youngsters listen to their parents and the 'naughty' Thai youngsters (I know them from my classes here) do things they do not dare to admit. They fear the social pressure to deviate from the cultural norm. And the norm is to obey and slowly, with the support and approval of parents (sometimes even over your spouse), build your own life after the example of your parents.
Thais have a hard time keeping their minds on serious matters. It soon runs off in a joke and a frolics and then turns around and walks away. So do agree with the statement that the (not so much) good ones are not left behind,
Are the Thai like little kids? no dude big nonsense, when I first saw a show on Thai TV with people dressed in the strangest costumes, then I was also like omg what is this. Now hundreds of shows and years later I don't know any better this is real Thai humour, my wife absolutely loves Mum Jokmok and Note Udom oh yes and the little fat one in the picture his name is kottie I believe, and I sometimes catch myself doing it that I'm laughing when such a show is on.
No, it has nothing to do with childish, I think it's just a different kind of humor than our western humor, the humor in the Netherlands in the 70s was a bit like the humor in Thailand now.
My wife still likes Andre van Duin a lot while I think when I see him on TV again with his cauliflower or willempie what an old childish humor, I think that is why people sometimes say the Thais are just like little children .
Our humor has become different and much harder than that of the past and now in Thailand we see shaking bellies because of humor that is out of date with us.
If you compare the parliamentarians from Thailand with ours in the Netherlands, it does not differ that much, although people in Thailand work a bit more physically, but who does not remember the sentence ... act normal man, act normal man yourself ..., so if when it comes to this, I do agree with the statement, but then it could have been written better: the parliamentarians are like little children.
So I do not agree with the statement that this is the humor of the country, but I think it is great fun to see when these people enjoy this so much.
And well when are you childish, I've heard someone say .. you're only really an adult when you become a child.
In my opinion, it remains mainly a difference in sense of humor, whether or not culturally determined. Subtle puns or subtle cynicism are simply not spent on most Thai people. That is not due to the Thai; in our country, most immigrants do not understand at all what is so nice about all those Dutch comedians. With the best will in the world, my Antilian ex-girlfriend couldn't and can't laugh at any of them.
Yet there is also some hope. Last year, somewhere in Ayutthaya, I saw the comedy Khun Nai Ho (English title: Crazy Crying Baby), starring Chompoo. And while it's not hard to see why this film will never make it to European cinemas, I still thoroughly enjoyed this film, with all its witty characters and humorous plot twists.
I think the plural form of the inhabitants of Thailand is not THAI but THAI ..
Thai is the language and the adjective.
Nice site with a lot of varied information.
Success with it.
Moderator: you must respond to the statement.
Comparing and judging "the Thai" based on humor or TV seems nonsensical to me. Most programs in the Netherlands are also of low pulp level.
My observation is that Thais are quick to laugh (smile) and are friendly, but is that childish? Possibly naive, easy to be (mis)led by gossip and politico.
Also, 'they' don't often think ahead. Plans and future is, except for fortune tellers, mordu, not a great interest. You live by the day, and that also has its advantages, compared to the Dutch gloom and pessimistic people.
Caro
Yes, I agree with the statement, not only because of the TV programs (my girlfriend laughs at that nonsense) but the same at work.
I run a bar, and just have to be there every night, if I don't come they don't work, or they do things they know they shouldn't do, just like with us in primary school as the teacher in the class go.
The Thais simply have a lower iq than the average European, that has been scientifically proven (82 versus 100 average) and that might explain the preference for very simple things, such as a woman with a big moustache!!!!!!
Maybe some expats find it very, very pleasant that the Thai has a low IQ? And maybe that's why they're in Thailand; question for you? For the sake of convenience, I assume that what you say about IQ is correct. Many expats cannot achieve this with people with a higher IQ, which they can achieve here in Thailand? I don't find the Thai childish at all. He laughs about what he or she likes. And that is very true. My wife is watching her Thai soap program on TV and is having a lot of fun. I watch Europe TV on my PC, free of charge via the I.-Net, mostly documentary. And so what? I don't think it's childish at all if you just do what you feel like. In other parts of the world we even have special days for this when you can go completely crazy. It's called carnival there.
What we experience every year in the Brazil Carnival Rotterdam, for example, and which we find very normal there, is doubted in Thailand?. Ridiculous. great martin
http://sq.4mg.com/NationIQ.htm
Dezw website displays the IQ test measured over 80 countries, which is not too bad with the smartness of those Thais.
I have often noticed that, especially in Isaan, the education levels are lower/shorter, but the life wisdom of young people, if you seriously talk to them, is certainly not childish, which I still thought as an older Westerner who still has snot blisters. right too.
If they are completely in a dent from the stupidest action (in my eyes) on
So I can't always rhyme TV. but you have to think "live and let live".
Indeed, this statement is perfectly correct and we Belgians and Dutch people sometimes commit it. In Thailand it is always a break laughing with the fool. The level of humor is very sad.
But what I find a lot worse is that in Thai series violence and screaming always predominate as well as cheating on each other, but I find the violence of men against women or between women themselves repulsive.
It could be worse: watch the cartoon programs for children terribly violent. Nothing educational about it and I can know that because I am an educator and speak a nice mouth of Thai.
It was already in the BKK Post that the Thai TV media is taking down the country and when I read it I thought it was exaggerated but after all these years: yes indeed.
I doubt very much that the Thai have a lower IQ, but I can prove to you that their education does not reach any level. Only the expensive International Schools have ANY level without shouting from the rooftops and absolutely not comparable to Belgium and / or the Netherlands
@rene Geeraerts
With the danger of chatting, What does education / IQ have to do with this statement, I know people with a low education who are very mature and certainly not childish, there are also things you can't learn at school. Why is every statement here on this blog always approached so negatively at a certain point, what does it matter that in Thailand the schools are of a lower level than with us, the perfect Westerner, and what does it have to do with education, if I see how respectfully I am treated by the Thai youth, then they are a few side streets further than we are in our wonderful Netherlands, no, this kind of pedagogical bullshit makes my neck hairs stand up.
For the Thai people, this is entertainment, nothing childish about it, let them enjoy themselves, as long as they never forget the difference between reality and reality, right?
Thai nett kids?
An anecdote:
About 2 months ago we (my wife-me and a bunch of friends) visited Koa Chai. Beautiful nature park and beautiful waterfalls. A village has been built in Italian style nearby. Beautiful to walk through, don't buy anything because it's very expensive. You can also go to a cinema and watch a 3D movie there. You will then see monsters approaching you as your chair shakes from side to side. My wife really wanted to go there, but our friends didn't feel like paying such a high price for a 10-minute entertainment, the video didn't last any longer. My wife kept nagging, I want to go there, come on, the group persisted and refused, after which my wife with a pout withdrew from the group and just said: "I'm going home, take the bus".
Then she ran away, her friends looked at me questioningly and I said just let it go, she will come around again. Apparently one was too much and she ran after her, eventually the two of them came back and she got her way. Everyone went to the movies. I told her, “You're worse than a 5-year-old child who doesn't get his way.” I should have left it because I haven't had a word from her all day. Like little kids? Yes, but sweet (na rak), we say. Just laugh…true story.
Something similar, my wife recently lost a computer cable from a computer at her work. Could be in a box of speakers in front of the computer. Looked and it wasn't there. She calls later from work if I want to take another look, cable is really not in it. Comes home in the evening and box has to be removed from the cupboard for the third time. I tell her three times is enough now. Has she suddenly disappeared and is she angry in bed. I ask what's going on, I shouldn't have raised my voice. Now that's what I call childish behavior just like the case above. I know from several farang (not a bad name for me) who have a Thai partner that this, in my eyes, is childish behavior. Having a different sense of humor (underpants fun) is quite another. Having the greatest fun doing kareoke with some people in a private cabin for 6 hours I will never understand. It is nice and quiet the next day because then my wife usually has lost her voice.
Do you find this statement an invitation to reactions, and actually without any content, these kinds of statements have in “us” so,… great, beautiful, social, intellectual, democratic (e) constitutional state, a country full of values and norms, at the time about overlooked, what a missed opportunity to express myself derogatorily
I find the statement quite absurd.
I saw a YouTube video of a Thai standup comedian on Thailandblog. Unfortunately I lost his name, but his nose would be of a considerable size. Maybe someone knows who I'm talking about here.
Also humor with a moral. So it's not just 'pee, shit and pain' level.
The average Thai loves slapstick. Just as well, the films of the Fat and the Thin [Laurel and Hardy] were watched a lot on the tube in the Netherlands, weren't they?
And so you can compare every nation with children.
I think Americans are just straight-up sixteen-year-olds. Full of bravura and always a big mouth, until someone slaps them.
The Japanese are just twelve years old with their childish curiosity, but that also spawned many inventions. although I still have my reservations about the digital toilet bowl [just google it].
The Dutch are again not children, but pushy, ever nagging old people…
Hello Franky,
The name of the Thai stand-up comedian is Note Udom, he is the number 1 Stand-up comedian in Thailand.
Note Udom,
Very nice to watch and he also offers an insight into the Thai way of thinking…
Compared to the average height of the Dutch, the Thai are indeed small children
I find this statement downright ridiculous. The concept of humor in Thailand is very different due to their culture than in Europe and especially the Netherlands. Then, for convenience and example, you can look at, for example, English humor instead of looking far away at Thailand. I am still waiting to hear whether we expats consider it necessary to drive on the left in traffic in Thailand.
The statement could then read; Do we expats find it strange that Thais drive on the left?. The Thai thinks his humor is OK and driving on the left is normal. Maybe we are childish for asking such questions?. great martin
Maybe this is too much about the television.
Childish yes!
* Hello Kitty decals on your brand new white Toyota Vios.
* Big ear covers over your seat in an Isuzu DMax.
* Eyelashes on your headlights of your Chevrolet Captiva.
These are 3 things that stand out to me, alone in traffic 😉
Farang feel superior to Thai. And not only above Thai. Look at what they are doing to the world and what they have done in the past. Without any respect for a 'primitive' culture full of spiritual wealth. Farang want material wealth and seek it by force. Smart or a sign of poverty
Every pajamas and T-shirt have bugs on them, even bags very childish. The Thai ladies have a stuffed animal in bed.
The Thai ladies have a stuffed animal in bed, yes hihi you can say that, a stuffed animal from the Netherlands 1 meter90 clean on the hook, I also have underpants with an elephant on it funny right?
We close the comment option. Thanks everyone for the comments.
Thais are said to be “just like little kids”. But what are we ourselves? This is the umpteenth us-against-them proposition, the umpteenth accusation (our accusation), the umpteenth patronizing (our patronizing), the umpteenth pedantry (our pedantry, our exemplary setting, our presumed guiding function).
Suppose we have a proof to prove right, and the Thai would take note of that and also switch immediately, so become grumpy, critical and soured, just become the way we are. Would Thailand still be as dear to us as it is now?
Isn't it true that we feel so well in Thailand because the Thais let us be (so endure and endure) as we are? Or do they (secretly?) also have a blog, a blog in which they know about us, they set themselves an example, they indicate that we should let ourselves be guided by them?
television in the Netherlands. What it throws into our slumped lap on the couch, we are annoyed by that and that makes us grumpy. What the TV brings in Thailand, the Thais enjoy themselves. That's quite a difference. A difference in our favor?