29 replies to this topic

[Macman]

Ivor, that's just like the link that Patrick posted above, and I thought it was hilarious. I don't think many people would object to a parody, but the subject of Anthony's original post had to do with kids, and was certainly not parody. I think the concern revolves around the fact that they don't seem to understand the horror that was Nazi Germany, and their teachers obviously aren't pointing it out to them.

[Ivor Biggun]

Ivor, that's just like the link that Patrick posted above, and I thought it was hilarious. I don't think many people would object to a parody, but the subject of Anthony's original post had to do with kids, and was certainly not parody. I think the concern revolves around the fact that they don't seem to understand the horror that was Nazi Germany, and their teachers obviously aren't pointing it out to them.

I personally don't understand why people in Thailand SHOULD be educated as to European history. Is Cambodia and Pol Pot's regime on the curriculum in the west- I doubt it. I doubt there is much about the second world war in any Western school's curriculum these days either but would be interested to hear if it is. We are all of a generation that learned about the wars of the 20th century, 30ish years on from when we were educated history has moved on as well.

I'm not acting as an apologist for this 'incident' but it would have gone un-noticed if the western press hadn't seized on it to be provocative.

[Macman]

I understand what you're saying, Ivor, and it's a good point. On the other hand, if American boys in school were dressing up as Pol Pot and his thugs, and making light of what happened in Cambodia, I'm quite sure SE Asians would be highly offended. You're correct in assuming that those incidents are not taught in Western curriculum, but I have a feeling that American teachers would point out exactly what Pol Pot represented if that occurred in a U.S. school. (Although I must admit that a lot of American teachers may very well be ignorant of what took place. Our education system leaves a lot to be desired.)

[Legend]

this article was in todays SUN.

http://www.thesun.co...hai-school.html

[kliome]

These kids probably have little to no idea of the poilitcal significance (and bad taste) of their dress.

Have you ever talked world history with a Thai? Is it even possible?


But there are some people who should know better

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/4170083.stm

[patrick]

It was a lavish presentation, you'd have thought that some teacher or even a parent (it is an international school) would have had an inkling that this was not in the best taste.
We often hear that the Thai education sytem is crap and certainly that's my impression "if it's not happening in Thailand it's not happening", but I wonder how many school kids in 2011 UK/US/AUS would know who Pol Pot, Stalin or Idi Amin were.

In any event I suppose the Thai's wouldn't get this:

[Ivor Biggun]

This crap is going around the main stream forums as well. At the risk of being seen to take their side in the big scheme of things (which I'm not) is it really a big issue? We can parody with Hogan's Heroes, 'Allo, Allo, Father Ted and John Cleese but kids doing it- no way. Even Mel Brooks takes the piss out of the nazis. Its bad taste yes but hardly earth shattering.

Should the teachers have known better yes- however in the US guys can dress up as storm troopers, shout Seig Heil, join the Aryan Nation and strut about with swastikas tattooed all over them- but its 'OK' because they have the constitutional right to freedom of expression? The arseholes in the photo even publish their telephone number!! Why not clean up our own shit before knocking a bunch of kids at a school sports day.

I'm not saying our generation should turn its back on history but the nazis were around approximately 70 years ago- that's 3 generations. No one goes on about the genocide caused by the japanese in Asia, Rwanda is all but forgotten and Bosnia was 20 years ago- I bet none of this is even taught in western schools now and its far more topical.

How can we choose which bits of history to cherry pick as important or not important and does the reign of these nutters so long ago have any bearing whatsoever on the thais or their life? I agree with what you said above Patrick about history.

Personally I don't condone what happened, just think its a storm in a teacup and I hope this doesn't descend into the normal blah blah about the Holocaust, how the Israelies behave now etc ever rotating circle.

[patrick]

Interesting points there Ivor, or should I say Mr Oddball, yes some of us are old enough to remember you were rather cosy with the Nazi's back in the day.
No wonder your soft on those Chiang Mai school kids.

[Macman]

The difference with the American storm trooper scenario, Ivor, is that they know exactly what they're doing, and thus choose to adopt that sick philosophy of the Nazis. In this case, the teachers, who are responsible for those young minds, should have pointed out that vile evil (anagram) to their charges. (I was going to use the "IMHO" thing, but that would be false modesty.)

[thailover57]

It wasn't long ago that there was an uproar over the wax museum putting up billboards of Adolph that have since disappeared. So there is some level of understanding in Thailand. Maybe not up north.

[Ivor Biggun]

Interesting points there Ivor, or should I say Mr Oddball, yes some of us are old enough to remember you were rather cosy with the Nazi's back in the day.
No wonder your soft on those Chiang Mai school kids.

I got a boodiful Tiger Tank out of the deal- don't knock it.

[dixon cox]

Actions like these we just have to put down to the bulk of the(ir) nation being poorly educated and non-worldly, plus being brain-washed from birth unable to think for themselves with fear of the after-life and their propaganda-ridden culture. This in turn unfortunately leads many Thais to turn selfish, inward, backward and devoid of any worthy knowledge regarding the rest of the world. As far as they're concerned, Thailand is the world.

They'll be getting swastika tattoos next :|