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| Sukumol Khunploem |
Kultida Samabuddhi
Bangkok Post
Mrs Sukumol made a good start when she dealt with the issue of Cambodia's listing of the Royal Ballet of Cambodia and the Sbek Thom Khmer shadow theatre on Unesco's list of intangible cultural heritage. She did not blindly switch into nationalistic mode when a forwarded email accusing Phnom Penh of "stealing the Thai heritage" was circulated. The minister explained that the listing had nothing to do with intellectual property or copyright issues and vowed to consult all relevant agencies about the matter before making any move. She also commented that "it is normal for countries in the same region to share similar cultural traits".
Of the four women in the Yingluck 1 cabinet, Sukumol Khunploem catches my attention most. The 36-year-old minister is the youngest in the 36-member cabinet and also the youngest minister in the history of the eight-year-old Culture Ministry.
She is a first-time MP from the newly established Phalang Chon Party, which competed in the general election for the first time on July 3. The wife of banned politician Sonthaya Khunploem won over 32,000 votes in Chon Buri's constituency 6 and jumped to the top job at the ministry shortly after Phalang Chon agreed to join the Pheu Thai Party-led government.
There is no need to discuss why the mother of four who graduated from Assumption University's School of Management, has taken the helm at the ministry despite the lack of concrete experience and knowledge of cultural issues. It has been widely known that the cabinet is a product of political negotiation and benefit-sharing among coalition parties. Mrs Sukumol's roles as member of the Chon Buri Red Cross Society and the Saensuk Women's Club, as well as adviser to Pattaya City's strategic committee, will not help her much.
For whatever reasons, she is now Thailand's 10th culture minister and the public should learn to expect the best from whoever we have. Instead of sighing with disappointment, why don't we support and encourage this young woman to do her best to promote cultural diversity in our society?
For Mrs Sukumol, this is a chance for her to learn and build credibility. This is an opportunity to prove that she is not just a politician's wife ascending to the ministerial post with a mission to make gains, in return for what her party has invested to win the election _ even though this ministry has nothing much to offer a politician in "earnings" when compared with other so-called grade A ministries.
This young-blood minister could help change the image of the Culture Ministry - from an outdated agency which likes to play the role of morality police, into an agency which respects cultural diversity and freedom of expression. It will be interesting to see how the young Sukumol will handle cultural issues which have become the talk of the town. The ban on the Thai movie Insects in the Backyard and popular soap opera Dok Som See Thong; and the issue of girls dancing topless during the Songkran holidays are good examples. There are also sharp-tongued culture critics who have turned many of Mrs Sukumol's predecessors into a laughing stock or even a fool because of that minister's unsound policies or obsolete ideas.
Mrs Sukumol made a good start when she dealt with the issue of Cambodia's listing of the Royal Ballet of Cambodia and the Sbek Thom Khmer shadow theatre on Unesco's list of intangible cultural heritage. She did not blindly switch into nationalistic mode when a forwarded email accusing Phnom Penh of "stealing the Thai heritage" was circulated. The minister explained that the listing had nothing to do with intellectual property or copyright issues and vowed to consult all relevant agencies about the matter before making any move. She also commented that "it is normal for countries in the same region to share similar cultural traits".
If this email about Cambodia's listing of intangible heritage, which has taken place since 2008, was not released on purpose to "promote" the new minister and make the public familiar with her name, then Mrs Sukumol has passed her first small test.
But the road ahead is long. If she wants to pass really tough tests, Mrs Sukumol should learn from the ministry's past mistakes. She has to be open-minded and listen not only to culture officials, but also to cultural experts outside the ministry.
She should take time to read the comments and posts on the We're sick of the Ministry of Culture in Thailand Facebook blog and other online forums critical of the ministry's actions. The Facebook page was established last year by people critical of what they see as paternalistic policies pursued by the ministry. Although the page has not been particularly active recently, it can still give the minister an idea of what people are saying about the ministry. It's time for you, Minister Sukumol, to show that a young woman minister can do better.
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Kultida Samabuddhi is Deputy News Editor, Bangkok Post.
8 comments:
She is better to think twice before accusing Cambodia of stealing. The evidence is over whelming against her and her unethical country Thailand. Please respect neighbors and stop your manipulative moves. The world now is better understand of Thailand's identity.
If Cambodia falls into Thai traps again that is really crazy. I told you, it doesn't matter what Thai government either Abhisit or Yingluck they still claiming stuffs that doesn't belong to them.
Please don't fall into this. Think about national interest first don't think about administration between Thai and Khmer now. Don't let them have the share about this dancing.
We have enough proofs and evidences to not let them have this piece of cake.
Khmer Angkor,
The world also knew about Khmer influences to Thai since the creation of their country. From political view, they have used and still using Khmer Royal words or vocabularies in their Royal court, the political words down to the regular civilians.
We Khmer are the ruler!!!!
Thai are smarter than us khmer, if they can't rob or steal from you they will run bad mouth about you . From thaksin ,abullshit to yucky ling. All to benefit their children. How sbout khmer? Same dummy leader with no degree with a fagot king sucking china and viet cong cock.
Problem with Thai and Khmer, Khmer and Vietnam is because they want and have been taking what are not their, but Khmer, just like Stalin's quote " What is mine is mine, what is your is negotiatable"-and what Thai and Vietname have been doing is that they took that quote a step further " What is mine is mine, what is your, well, is mine"
fuck u...all khmer leaders should care about national interests more than others. Many people liveing in poor condition. should try welfare nation. the border line should solve in peace if not go to ICJ. I dont know govt policy toward VN now. However, Koh Trol opposition Kampot province and very closely to our country. I dont about its island history. Can KI-media search some docs to let reader know. I knew it is big island and now VN developing this island. If we have evidence we have to claim from VN because from what i heard it is belong to khmer a long time. To let me peace and khmer people know exactly is it belong to khmer or not? if it is khmer, khmer can claim thru ICJ like Preah Vihear. I think so that big island belong to khmer but not quite sure about this.
man, she looks like she just graduated from high school! too young and too inexperienced, you know! experience comes with age and this girl needs experience in life, first, i think!
thailand has nothing concrete literally speaking to back them up for their wishful thinking in jointing khmer arts, culture, etc... cambodia has lots of concrete evidence to back us up. of course, thailand culture, etc were copied from cambodia's great angkor civilization. the least thailand's people can do is to give proper credit to khmer people and cambodia, ok! and stop trying to fabricate fake history, ok! cambodia and the scholars of the world already knew this and aware and understood this fact already! hey, thailand, this is not the dark ages era, ok! so stop acting as if cambodia and the world in still in the dark age era, ok!
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