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A healthy dose of scepticism is badly needed

Sat, 11/08/2012 - 15:16 | by prachatai
Pravit Rojanaphruk, The Nation

The growing nostalgia among some Thais for the "golden age" hasn't gone unnoticed by the foreign media.

Last week, the Weekend Journal of the Wall Street Journal wrote about the "dreams of simpler times" that have "spurred the popularity of all things vintage".

While the article, written by Newley Purnell, primarily dwells on material objects of nostalgia roughly from the 1930s to the 1970s, nostalgia for an imagined golden age of Thai politics may also exist.

I have at times heard people say how much they would love to have Thai politics return to the era of strongman Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat in the 1960s. They say things were "orderly", predictable and the "rule of law" was "swiftly" maintained.

Perhaps what they meant was the "rule by law" and not the rule of law. During Sarit's time, anyone accused of being an arsonist would be summarily executed by shooting.

Perhaps the distance of years allows us to selectively pick and choose periods from the past and idealise them. The present, however, is too "real", too stark, complicated and unsettling. The present is more like a painting or a meal that is always in progress but never finished. With an imagined past, people can neatly edit it, frame it, and indulge in nostalgia. You can like Sarit because Sarit is no more - you won't be executed if found standing near a building that has just caught fire and are suspected of having lit the blaze.

Many do dwell in that supposed golden era of the 1960s and 70s, but they should also remember how Thailand allowed the United States to use the Kingdom as a springboard to kill and maim millions in Vietnam and Laos.

Other more recent imagined "glorious years" include those of Thaksin Shinawatra, with the good economy sans extra-judicial killings, nepotism, the Tak Bai and Krue Se incidents, threats against the mainstream mass media who disagreed with his policies and the forced disappearance of human rights lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit. That half-a-decade era, which ended with the coup in 2006, is selectively remembered by both Thaksin supporters, as well as his opponents.

That we can always select and edit the past makes the past so attractive. It's much easier to remember the past selectively. But knowing that the past always plays tricks on one's perception due to our limited ability or willingness to grasp its totality, one should learn about its constraints in terms of helping to deal with the present.

We can learn from selective memory of the past and use it to remind us not to treat the present in the same fashion. It offers us an instructive caveat not to idealise things or people too readily. The trend towards idealising either red shirts, yellow shirts, or supporters of the Democrat Party, and being "absolutely righteous", as opposed to their opponents, is easily noticed. One has to only look at their respective media and see how they seek to present themselves.

A healthy dose of scepticism is what Thailand needs. Our society is also already filled with excessive idealising and idolisation of some public figures, so we definitely do not need more of the same one-sidedness.

People will have to learn to live with contradiction, irony and complexity, and abandon the self-created idealising of things and human beings that only leaves them detached from the multiple facets of reality. It's good and noble to try to live up to our ideals. But we ought not to lose touch with the complexities and ironic realities of life and society.

The last thing we need is a society dwelling in a nostalgic past that didn't ever truly exist or living with a one-sided view of the present that doesn't correlate with the complex realities of today.

For some, I'm afraid, they may prefer to continue to believe in an idealised past, or idealised people - as it's the only way for them to comfort themselves amid the cruelty of life.

Source: 

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/A-healthy-dose-of-scepticism-is...

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Comments

#27893 - by bernd weber (visitor) () | Sat, 11/08/2012 - 18:00

Pravit was right when he

Pravit was right when he advises skepticism when looking at the past.

But Pravit should look more skeptical!

Not only arsonists had been shot to death at Sarit´s time - he was probably the most cruel dictator of Thailand, and under him began the huge propaganda machine to run for the King - which until now has not come to a standstill and obscured so much.

On the other hand, it is not correct to assert that the devil of Thailand is Thaksin and he is solely responsible for the deaths of the war on drugs and Tak Bai. Recall here alone the kings birthday speech, and the cheers of the Democratic Party ... and so on

Not only skepticism is appropriate - but also an iron will to truth - the whole truth - even if it is very painful for the people so much to have to learn new - opening the eyes and the ears -

One must therefore not be bitter and hate not - but learn to understand and make the future better

#27895 - by john francis lee (visitor) () | Sat, 11/08/2012 - 20:44

I must say that I was shocked

I must say that I was shocked at Thitinan's recent display of fond nostalgia for the "cold-war era" ... and for 1976!

A Public Forum on "Reconciliation and Charter Change: Underpinnings and Scenarios" part 2 of 2

The cold-war order has entered twilight. This is the royal twilight, and you can see that as a metaphor. The cold-war order did two things that we must give it credit for, two things that we must not overlook, especially for the redshirts and for all the footsoldiers of the insurrection.

We did not become communist.
We had economic development.

This is the reason that Bangkok is such a magnet for visitors. Every week, every other day, I have a visitor. A friend, a colleague, some professor, because geographically it's very convenient, but also its very convenient for livelihood, people like to come here. It's good value, good food, good people. So we had those two achievements from the cold-war order.

They were costly, they had to suppress left-wing students in '73, '76. Especially '76. But, overall, I'm grateful to those two achievements that we've had : didn't become communist, had the critical mass of ecoomic development with all its warts.

Having heard that Thitinan is grateful for 6 October, I guess I can believe that others are nostalgic for Sarit as well.

And you are certainly correct in bringing up Thaksin's actual record. In fact he also betrayed the people of Isaan on the Pak Mun Dam decommissioning (not), tried to privatise the EGAT (I know, but it would have been even worse if he'd given it to his cronies), cut the legs out from beneath Thai farmers in the North with his trade agreements with China ...

The elite Thai political class is absolute poison, in uniform or out. It's time to remember what's really happened and to stop it all endlessly happening again.

Time to do something different.

Let the people write their own constitution and decide their own fate.

#27901 - by john francis lee (visitor) () | Mon, 13/08/2012 - 08:58

US Combat Troops in Thailand,

US Combat Troops in Thailand, Sarit and the Good Ole Days

White House Statement of the President on the Dispatch of American Troops to Thailand, May 15, 1962

Source: The Pentagon Papers, Gravel Edition, Volume 2, p. 811

White House Statement of the President, May 15, 1962, Public Papers of the Presidents, Kennedy, 1962, p. 396:

"Following joint consideration by the governments of the United States and Thailand of the situation in Southeast Asia, the Royal Thai Government has invited, and I have today ordered, additional elements of the United States military forces, both ground and air, to proceed to Thailand and to remain there until further orders. These forces are to help ensure the territorial integrity of this peaceful country.

"The dispatch of United States forces to Thailand was considered desirable because of recent attacks in Laos by Communist forces, and the subsequent movement of Communist military units toward the border of Thailand.

"A threat to Thailand is of grave concern to the United States. I have, therefore, ordered certain additional American military forces into Thailand in order that we may be in a position to fulfill speedily our obligations under the Manila Pact of 1954, a defense agreement which was approved overwhelmingly by the U.S. Senate, and to which the Secretary of State and Foreign Minister of Thailand referred in their joint statement of March 6, 1962. We are in consultation with SEATO Governments on the situation.

"I emphasize that this is a defensive act on the part of the United States and wholly consistent with the United Nations Charter which specifically recognizes that nations have an inherent right to take collective measures for self-defense. In the spirit of that Charter, I have directed that the Secretary General of the United Nations be informed of the actions that we are taking.

"There is no change in our policy toward Laos, which continues to be the reestablishment of an effective cease-fire and prompt negotiations for a government of national union."

#27902 - by john francis lee (visitor) () | Mon, 13/08/2012 - 09:13

More on Sarit, the USA and

More on Sarit, the USA and the Good Ole Days ...

Colombian Eduardo Santos on US military aid to his country

What we are doing is building up armies which weigh nothing in the international scale but which are juggernauts for the internal life of each country. Each country is being occupied by its own army.

and from "The Burden of U.S. Aid”, Pakistan Today, New Series, No. 1. Autumn 1961, both quoted by Baran and Sweezy in Monopoly Capital.

In the long run, the worst aspect of military aid lies in the complete change it produces in the balance of social and political forces in favor of conservatism and established vested interests. The dragon seeds sown by military aid have produced a fearful crop of military officers, with their social roots in the most conservative sections of our society, who have learnt to sit in judgment on our people. It is an overwhelming force without any countervailing force to hold it in check.

It certainly goes as well for Thailand as anywhere else on this planet.

#27917 - by Andrew Spooner (visitor) () | Fri, 17/08/2012 - 21:28

Pravit You recently promoted

Pravit

You recently promoted a twitter account that made death threats to my family.

You did this in response to a well-founded, cogent and evidence-based argument against you.

Can you explain why you would promote someone making death threats to both myself and other readers here.

Thank you.

#27924 - by pravit rojanaphruk (visitor) () | Sat, 18/08/2012 - 23:33

Andrew Spooner, I have time

Andrew Spooner,
I have time and again stated that I only mentioned the existence of one twitter account which m
ade a mockery of you. I am not aware that the said twitter account @Androo_spewner have ever made any death threat against you or anyone.
As I have mentioned time and again, if you believe you have any shred of evidence that the said twitter account made any death threat against you or your family, please take the matter straight to the police.
Once it is proven and the person prosecuted, I will be more than willing to express a regret.
Also, I take your accusation that I 'promoted' a twitter account that made 'death threat' against you or your family as a vile accusation against myself since it implies that you know my 'intention'.
Pravit Rojanaphruk

#27926 - by Andrew Spooner (visitor) () | Sun, 19/08/2012 - 13:43

Pravit First of all you asked

Pravit

First of all you asked me to send you the evidence.

I did so.

I did this several times - this included the specific threats themselves and several pieces of evidence that the twitter account in question is the same account.

Now you insist I take it to the police. Despite your claim above you've never done so before. Another excuse?

The question I will continually ask of you is why do you support someone who has made death threats against my family? You have never explained why but continue to make weak excuses for this support.

In truth you issued such support for the person making these threats because you lost a debate with me. Your actions are very revealing of your mindset and your principles - that you didn't even have the courage to make the threats yourself says even more about your character.

No matter.

You are clearly comfortable with supporting persons who've made deaths threats against my family.

I suggest you immediately apologise and retract your previous support so that you can, at least, regain some standing and credibility.

Andrew

#27930 - by pravit rojanaphruk (visitor) () | Mon, 20/08/2012 - 11:44

Andrew Spooner, Just take the

Andrew Spooner,
Just take the matter to the police, bet it Thai or British or both. I think they will be best qualified to judge whether there's truly any solid evidence to arrest or prosecute anyone or not. Let me know if there is any progress.
Pravit Rojanaphruk

#27931 - by Andrew Spooner (visitor) () | Mon, 20/08/2012 - 14:12

Pravit Stop making excuses -

Pravit

Stop making excuses - you previously asked for the evidence. I sent it to you. Now you demand something else. It seems as though you do actually support the making death threats against my family.

Best wishes

Andrew

#27927 - by Anne Thropic (visitor) () | Sun, 19/08/2012 - 15:24

Gawd, as if having to suffer

Gawd, as if having to suffer serial ranting from the racist spammer John Francis Lee (the Francis is important to distinguish him from his brothers John Frederick Lee and John Ferdinand Lee, though why his parents should have been so insensitive is anyone's guess. As if anyone gives a damn what his blasted middle name is) now we have to suffer serial bitchfights between Pravit and Andrew.

Take it out to the carpark guys, give us all a break.

Still, look on the bright side, at least that idiot Tony has finally fecked off. There is a God.

#27928 - by Andrew Spooner (visitor) () | Sun, 19/08/2012 - 16:59

Anne Thropic When a

Anne Thropic

When a journalist supports death threats against another journalist's family while passing themselves off as some kind of intellectual "liberal" I think it is entirely appropriate to call them out.

So no bitch fight from me - just confronting Pravit with the cold, hard facts of his unprincipled hypocrisy.

#27929 - by Anne Thropic (visitor) () | Sun, 19/08/2012 - 23:43

Yes Andrew, I do know, and I

Yes Andrew, I do know, and I sympathise and agree there would be no excuse for that behaviour. Its not the validity of the point you make, but the frequency with which you make it. Tony is an awful example of the consequences of unfettered banging on.

If Pravit behaved as you allege, then kick his ass - hard - once. Kick his ass so hard his nose starts bleeding if you like, and then leave him to reflect on the error of his ways. If he does it again, rinse and repeat.

But it really seems that your resentment of Pravit (entirely understandable if he did as you allege) has spawned a vendetta. Not a useful thing for a journalist I would argue.

I think someone once cautioned against fighting an enemy on his own territory and by his own rules. Seems like good advice. Go and knock on his door or something - guaranteed to give pause for thought before other ill-considered remarks, and never forget that he's a 3rd-world journalist - he's still learning his craft, so you shouldn't really expect the same professionalism you might have a right to expect outside of the fairy-tale kingdom. You might have to treat him like a slightly backward kid brother.

#27932 - by Andrew Spooner (visitor) () | Mon, 20/08/2012 - 14:22

Understand it must be boring

Understand it must be boring to keep re-reading this stuff but I think I have every right to pursue Pravit on this.

Pravit also knows the ice is getting thinner under his feet on this one.

He supported and promoted somebody who made death threats against my family.

I will keep calling him out on this - repeatedly - until he apologises.

If he doesn't, well, that just reveals him as someone who supports such death threats.

#27934 - by albert park (visitor) () | Tue, 21/08/2012 - 05:50

Andrew, you may feel you have

Andrew, you may feel you have a right, but doing it here, time and again, is still tiresome for those of us who read these threads. We get the picture. What is the point of saying the same thing repeatedly, TC-like? Calling out has been done, we heard you already.

#27938 - by Andrew Spooner (visitor) () | Tue, 21/08/2012 - 12:44

Albert I make no apologies

Albert

I make no apologies about you finding the issue of death threats against my family tiresome.

And no, it is not "TC like" to repeat this as it is not based on some outrageous and fabricated conspiracy theory but on cold hard fact.

Maybe constantly revealing the fact that one of the "leading" voices of the "progressives" has supported and promoted persons making death threats against my family might get under his fanclub's skin?

Maybe they'd prefer, instead, when persons like Pravit do engage in such actions me and my family would just shut up and go away?

If the "progressives" silently accept one of their number supporting persons making death threats against the family members of anyone - not just myself - then I'm afraid there is very little progressive about them at all.

A