Burma is fierce and heartless, Cambodia cannot be trusted and Laos is inferior to Thailand. Everyone knows this is true, because the history textbooks say so.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
COMMENTARY By Sanitsuda Ekachai
Bangkok Post
Sanitsuda Ekachai is Assistant Editor (Outlook), Bangkok Post.
What makes us proud of our country? At the Education Ministry, our patriotism is judged by how much we can memorise national history in textbooks as sacred fact written in stone.
That is why they are extremely worried about the future of patriotism here.
Despite the emphasis on rote learning to enforce conformity and to kill a questioning mind, the education authorities believe our children still cannot parrot well enough.
The future is bleak when many students still do not know about Pantai Norasingh, a popular folk hero who symbolises loyalty to the monarchy. Worse, the educators lament, many still do not know about King Naresuan who freed the Thais from Burmese rule.
The protracted save-the-country theatre at Government House does not convince these bigwigs that there is no shortage of ultra-nationalism here.
The spiralling southern violence cannot make them see that the crux of the problem lies in their version of nationalism, which states that only the dominant Buddhist Thais own the country. Nor can they see that if they insist on pushing this down the throats of the ethnic Malay Muslims, peace will remain out of reach.
Hence their plan to make children across the country parrot more of what they define as national history, what they equate as patriotism, which boils down to a dangerous racist nationalism in a conflict-ridden society where respect for cultural plurality remains indispensible for peace.
When I told my 12-year-old daughter of the Education Ministry's plans for her history classes next year, she screamed at the idea.
"Why do they want to put us through more boring hours? Why do they think we will love the country by remembering about battles, blood and death? Why is history so full of killing and scary events? What is the point of making us remember so many difficult names and dates? I just don't see any use of it."
Playing devil's advocate, I said we need to know about historical roots to know who we are so we can move forward confidently. The boredom may stem from how history classes are conducted, I suggested.
She defended her teacher vehemently. "We're allowed to do open-book quiz in class, which is fun. But the materials are boring."
"So what do you want to learn?" I pressed.
Civilisations, she said. Old civilisations in all parts of the world. How the pyramids were built, for example. When I pointed out that pyramids are not Thai, she just shrugged her shoulders.
When I asked if she wanted to learn how different geographical landscapes shaped different cultures and civilisations, how an ancient civilisation based on the salt industry in the Isan Plateau rose and fell, how it was replaced by principalities in the river basins which prospered from rain-fed rice cultivation, how different ethnicities in the region lived alongside one another since prehistoric times in this region and, closer to home, how true it was that Bangkok's roots were essentially Chinese - she cut me short.
"Anything, mummy. Anything is better than what it is now."
However boring, ultra-nationalism has still succeeded in seeping in to poison kids' minds. My daughter, for one, truly believes that Thailand once owned parts of our neighbouring countries, making us the greatest in this region.
"Because the textbooks say so."
Like most Thais, she feels Burma is fierce and heartless, Cambodia cannot be trusted and Laos is inferior to Thailand - because the history textbooks teach her so. And since national history only has room for ethnic Buddhists, she considers it an alien notion that other ethnic minorities must have equal rights to the dominant ethnic Thais in a democratic society.
She is only 12, I told myself. If others can rise above such ugly nationalism to understand how it makes us cruel and heartless, my girl can do it too, one day.
The Education Ministry may want to tighten the chains of racist nationalism, but any mother who cares for her children's humanity and peace in an increasingly tense multi-cultural world, will never give up the fight for it.
Neither will I.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
COMMENTARY By Sanitsuda Ekachai
Bangkok Post
Sanitsuda Ekachai is Assistant Editor (Outlook), Bangkok Post.
What makes us proud of our country? At the Education Ministry, our patriotism is judged by how much we can memorise national history in textbooks as sacred fact written in stone.
That is why they are extremely worried about the future of patriotism here.
Despite the emphasis on rote learning to enforce conformity and to kill a questioning mind, the education authorities believe our children still cannot parrot well enough.
The future is bleak when many students still do not know about Pantai Norasingh, a popular folk hero who symbolises loyalty to the monarchy. Worse, the educators lament, many still do not know about King Naresuan who freed the Thais from Burmese rule.
The protracted save-the-country theatre at Government House does not convince these bigwigs that there is no shortage of ultra-nationalism here.
The spiralling southern violence cannot make them see that the crux of the problem lies in their version of nationalism, which states that only the dominant Buddhist Thais own the country. Nor can they see that if they insist on pushing this down the throats of the ethnic Malay Muslims, peace will remain out of reach.
Hence their plan to make children across the country parrot more of what they define as national history, what they equate as patriotism, which boils down to a dangerous racist nationalism in a conflict-ridden society where respect for cultural plurality remains indispensible for peace.
When I told my 12-year-old daughter of the Education Ministry's plans for her history classes next year, she screamed at the idea.
"Why do they want to put us through more boring hours? Why do they think we will love the country by remembering about battles, blood and death? Why is history so full of killing and scary events? What is the point of making us remember so many difficult names and dates? I just don't see any use of it."
Playing devil's advocate, I said we need to know about historical roots to know who we are so we can move forward confidently. The boredom may stem from how history classes are conducted, I suggested.
She defended her teacher vehemently. "We're allowed to do open-book quiz in class, which is fun. But the materials are boring."
"So what do you want to learn?" I pressed.
Civilisations, she said. Old civilisations in all parts of the world. How the pyramids were built, for example. When I pointed out that pyramids are not Thai, she just shrugged her shoulders.
When I asked if she wanted to learn how different geographical landscapes shaped different cultures and civilisations, how an ancient civilisation based on the salt industry in the Isan Plateau rose and fell, how it was replaced by principalities in the river basins which prospered from rain-fed rice cultivation, how different ethnicities in the region lived alongside one another since prehistoric times in this region and, closer to home, how true it was that Bangkok's roots were essentially Chinese - she cut me short.
"Anything, mummy. Anything is better than what it is now."
However boring, ultra-nationalism has still succeeded in seeping in to poison kids' minds. My daughter, for one, truly believes that Thailand once owned parts of our neighbouring countries, making us the greatest in this region.
"Because the textbooks say so."
Like most Thais, she feels Burma is fierce and heartless, Cambodia cannot be trusted and Laos is inferior to Thailand - because the history textbooks teach her so. And since national history only has room for ethnic Buddhists, she considers it an alien notion that other ethnic minorities must have equal rights to the dominant ethnic Thais in a democratic society.
She is only 12, I told myself. If others can rise above such ugly nationalism to understand how it makes us cruel and heartless, my girl can do it too, one day.
The Education Ministry may want to tighten the chains of racist nationalism, but any mother who cares for her children's humanity and peace in an increasingly tense multi-cultural world, will never give up the fight for it.
Neither will I.
31 comments:
The Thais need to change these education textbooks, otherwise they cannot go along with their neighbors. If they still keep, they leave their children facing many problems in the future.
WHO THE FUCK WOULD TRUST THE FUCKING THAI!! THAILAND WILL BURN TO HELL!!!!!!!!!!
Thai is Siam. So they can not change any histories from the past.
Siam was khmer but when they have new name, they want to change their blood to any other races.
Come on Siam! I think you are not stupid like your new name.
YOU BLOOD IS KHMER.
What the Thai government had done is to institutionalize racism against the Burmese, the Khmer, and the Laotian! But who will give a fuck because one day the Thai will be surrounded by enemy!
I had been saying many times in the past that Thailand is practicing different brand of Buddhism from Khmer people! The Thai brand of Buddhism to promote hatred, mistrust, and violent! For these reasons, I recommend no Khmer people should go to Thailand to learn any form of Buddhism! And I believe a homegrown Khmer Buddhism can do just fine!
From now on Khmer leaders must realize that peaceful coexistence with the Thai is just impossible to achieve because of the mistrust! So the Khmer leaders must accept the doctrine of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) as insurance policy for the existence of the Khmer people and the Khmer nation!
Great! 1:47 PM. I agree with you and if we look into the buddish ideology: Norna Sab Prous Kamm neung totoul kamm. Prey nokor roloum, phnom penh roleay, bangkok kchat kchay, sabay angkor wat. Time will come. The Thai is very greedy, A Yeak Bet Mouk! One hand poking our border to get us to fight while other steab bobos ang el to help developing Koh Kong. We saw already, how Poi Pet been used. Even Khmer riels not allowed to be used to pay for food we eat at the restaurant there. And it is in our land, just they developped that piece of town to be a giant place for them to come gambling and future invasion, we will see. Khmers working there, mainly used a slaves and have to speak Thai as well. What the hell going to be in Koh Kong for khmers. We all as have khmer head could imagine...
Cambodia cannot be trusted? Come on, speak for yourself you Thai, Siamese, Siam Kok, or whatever you want to call yourself. Because of your false pride and arrogance, your country is now surrounded by your perceived enemies: Burma, Cambodia, Laos, and Malaysia.
Even foreigners now know your dirty deeds behind that fake smile with a knife behind your back. Some of them could understand Thai language, and they heard what the Thai stewardesses said about them behind their back on the planes. Sweet Kha, Kha, Krup, Krup in front of the Farangs, but using derogatory name-callings for the Farangs behind their back.
History has shown that you could not be trusted. In World War II, when the Allied retreated you sided with Japan, and when Japan retreated you sided with the Allied. A two-faced crook, that's what you are, Shitty Thais!
What kind of documents or histories having in Thai's textbook.
This is very sad that Thai insist teaching their new generatiion with hatred and proud. Of course you can be proud of your country. Have you Thai seen the French or Japan written anything about the German or USA? And have you Thai see the Mongolian or Muchuria write anything about China?
Very shameful that the Thai reveal about themself in the public eyes of the world.
"However boring, ultra-nationalism has still succeeded in seeping in to poison kids' minds. My daughter, for one, truly believes that Thailand once owned parts of our neighbouring countries, making us the greatest in this region".
If you Thai want, we can teach our Khmer the samething. You current lands belong to Khmer like 100% of your lands. There is noway that you can no, but the history is written that way.
I am proud to be Khmer forever and next life.
When I have a chance again I want to be bornt to be Khmer.
Khmer PP,
I like the way they speak Kha Kha with a smilling face but their bottom is full of shit.
thai history textbook???--just a shit. you are now facing downhill. come on your people told me they are confused by your fake history.
Thai is a stupide country no better then cambodia or laos or vietnam. If thailand is truely better in anyway. They wouldn't have acted so stupidly and proudly, For they really have nothing to be proud about.
Someone or a country that are truely better in anyway. Wouldn't have claimed that they are. Instead of claiming and making trouble. They should HAVE lead by example AND not cause trouble or making claim and accusing their neighbor.
ACTION OF GOOD DEED IS ALWAY BETTER THEN TALK OR WORDS. THAI HAVE NO SUCH GOOD DEED. ALL TALK AND LIES.
LET THEM KEEP GOING AS THEY CAN FOOL THEIR CHILDREN BUT THEY CAN'T LIE THE WORLD. HISTORY IS ALWAYS TRUE. U ARE BUDDHISTS SO BUDDHA WON'T EXCUSE THOSE WHO LIE.
MAY BUDDHA BLESS CAMBODIANS!
Bhumibol what did you do to your people, you have a major problem there.
LOL.
Mr Thai, you may say as you will, but as long as you're no good to us. You can just go to hell!
Thai don't have the right to co-exist with Khmer at all period. (.)
In this world if there is Khmer there will be no Thai.
Khmer 4ever,
The father is as stupid and dumb as the daughter. Wanna bet that the father is Khmer? Only his mother told him Thai or Siam.
we should take this issue to the UN, because they teach the children to hate other people. this is very dangerous. Thai did not belong to the land of "sovannaphoum", indeed, they were from Younan Province in China.
How can anyone trusted Cambodia when Ah Pleu-Oversea claimed to invent TV, Mercedes, Space Shuttle, ..., and even Thai Noodle, and they can't even fill out job application. The motherfuckers-oversea is a disgrace and they gave us all a bad name.
I'm pretty sure the father of that daughter is 99% Khmer.
Sometime it is really disgrace to have Khmer forget their own origin.
Khmer PP,
Now it is making me proud more and more cause since the stupid Thai acting arrogant, I've done and study alot of research and found out that the Khmer were the first nationality in that region.
There wasn't Thai existed right after 1400's.
They were Khmer's slaves that's why they claiming themself that they have built most of the Prasats.
Thai if you don't believe go do some more research so you will learn more about Khmer.
Khmer Pride,
Go to hell Thai!
To 10:10PM
Hey mother fucker! When you curse at the Khmer oversea then you are cursing the next generation of the CPP leadership because majority of the children belong to the CPP officials are currently studying oversea and some even graduated already and some currently working in Cambodia! So watch your mouth mother fucker!
CPP oversea
Yeah 10:10 PM is retarded YOUN's sperm.
We are Khmer (CPP's parliment children) most sent out to study oversea. And I am CPP. It doens't make me proud to label people here and there. The most important is to love Khmer and one another.
CPP will you nuts you stupid 10:10PM.
Khmer CPP,
The thailande is spiritedly to prepare the spirit of his people for the war by flattering its nationalism?
You don't build a strong country with ignorant people.
Thailand's historical facts were carved in Sand not stone because they deviated from the facts in their education system.
On the other hand, Khmer History is carved in stone, in the Angkor Wat wall--Thais were shackled up by the neck, hands, and ankles to finish constructing Angkor during King JV VII reigned.
Thai textbooks=written in sand=untrusted text.
There were no "Thai" until late 19th and early 20th century when they change the name from Siam to Thailand. Their history didn't start until their ancestor came from China. There were Khmer civilization and empire already in existence when they got there. And they are traitor during WW2. They allied themselves with Japan Empire.
remember, it's not all about thailand. there is a larger world out there. distrust goes both ways, siem. i wonder what is all that mistrust? perhaps because thailand is afraid that cambodia might reclaim all of our old khmer provinces back from them, that is why the distrust! what goes around comes around! god bless cambodia.
Listen folk! The first country that existed from way back then was Khmer. Then what happens? There was war. Right? and then there was the leader of Khmer group that wanted to own or conquer some part of the land by themself, right? and he or she did. The biggest part of the land at the time happened to belong to the The Khmer that live in Thailand today. Sounds convincing? Then they started to mix themself up with the Chinese and the chinese got their head washed up and turned them into Siam or Thai and they forgot all about themself and their root and called themself an arrogant, conceeded MF Thai at the present day. Deos it make sense? Come on! A 5 year old can figure out. That is how they get the idea this belongs to them that belongs to them, because they were Khmer at one time. They just don't want to admit it, because they are now, Mr. High and Mighty Thailand. Shame on you MF Thai! You need to open your MF's eyes up! and soon!
Thru the eyes of our God Buddah, all of you MF Thai need to come in to Cambodia, Get down on your knee and beg for your forgiveness everyday and for the rest of your life for your sinful intension. You sick MF!
10:10PM you are really frustrated with oversea ppl I'm not blame on you actually our human that is common thing that human reacting,yes those oversea ppl went to rape your sister but they got your mother instead sorry to say this but unfortunate the verbal confess from your mother and sister that was volunteer from both side ,so it wasn't fair that you hate the khmer oversea and put the blame on one site too bad why don't you ask your mother one again?
thais a are dirty shitfuckers who are fake FAKE they dont know shit. fake history.
To All,
An old American expression once said, " What goes around comes around ". We begin to see this fallout with Thailand in this present time. I can almost say that now it is time for Thailand to pay back for what they have done to those nations surrounding Thailand. Thailand has changed its histories by stealing from those around Thailand and their own. Once a thief is always a thief. Thailand regardless of what they have done to covert its long over due histories will resurface itself for others to see and the truth may not turned out as Thai has come to expect.
Thailand has changed everything from cultural revolution to philantrophy in order to hide things that will not be opened to her people. But secred artifacts that have burried beneath the earth will soon tell the story of how once a glory kingdom ruled under Camboja, Kampuchea and now known to the world as Cambodia.
Cambodia was once an Empire in that region of the world, but due to our kindness and respect for humanity, thus other nations seek advantages over true and honest friendly supports from Cambodia and because of this kindness toward other nations, Cambodia became weak and soft, however, things will change from this day forward. Cambodia will become the next leader in that region of the world in the next 25 years. Cambodia will show Thailand what Khmers are all about. An Empire will remain to be Empire because WE ARE KHMER.
I Thank You.
ST.
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