The greatest threat to Thailand is not some foreign power, political uproar or even corruption - it's our own weak character, says columnist Voranai Vanijaka

A society in decay

Published: 17 Jan 2013 at 09.38
Online news: Opinion

The greatest threat to Thailand is not from any foreign power. It is not the man in Dubai, nor is it the invisible hand. It is not the polarisation caused by the political divide, nor is it even the corruption.

The greatest threat to Thailand is our own weak character - the root cause of the failings of the political, learning, religious and family institutions.

Rival teenage gangs clash at a charity concert on Jan 14, 2013. (Screen capture from YouTube)

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markm
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Discussion 28 : 20 Jan 2013 at 16.2628
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I recall teaching essay-writing to my students last semester. I was focusing on arguing a point. I got carried away in explaining what a counter-argument was. I said they could introduce a counter-argument and then turn around and attack it. I asked them if they could do this. The class was silent and then one student answered, “No. Cannot.”

I then toned down my speech, calmed myself. I explained it again, but in terms of a ‘critique’ rather than an ‘attack’. It was more readily accepted.

There is strength of character in this country, and I have learned, and continue to learn, a lot here.
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markm
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Discussion 27 : 20 Jan 2013 at 16.2427
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I think we can look up to those who do good -- but the good does not need to be publicised.
It can be good service we are provided in a restaurant or a friendly word we receive from someone in our soi. It can be a colleague who listens quietly when we have a problem we wish to share.

I think strength of character is not uncommon in Thailand but it is often a very gentle strength.
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boons
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Discussion 26 : 20 Jan 2013 at 03.2726
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The "I want" generation has lead to near-sighted politicians and short-term policies that give people what they want.

Unfortunately, such short-term policies can only ever be short-term. I'm afraid that what awaits Thailand is a boom followed by an awful bust, because today there is no rationality: Only greed. And greed coupled with populist politicians leads to "feel good" policies that ultimately implode.

Anyone investing in Thailand today should be focused only on the near term. Nothing in Thailand today looks remotely sustainable.
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antitahaan
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Discussion 25 : 19 Jan 2013 at 02.3725
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Peoples having a myopic thinking and offensive character who is always looking for afight ....
It seems that their thickness of a frontal lobe are thinner than a well-read peoples. .....reported in other countries.
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antitahaan
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Discussion 24 : 19 Jan 2013 at 02.1324
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The problem to be solved in Thailand is to increase the number of peoples who reading much books.
From old days, How many books does Thai read per year ? How many people read a book in BTS and MRTA ?
And on the other hand, How many teenager does a computer-game abandon themselves to pleasures ??
How many people watch a television more than 6hours per day ? To read a book cultivates an ability to concentrate and a deep thinking ability. The cultivation of aesthetic sensitivity through to cultivate vegetables, to keep animals, to watch a tear-animation, etc. are very important for education.
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DONHUAN
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Discussion 23 : 18 Jan 2013 at 15.2323
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In our modern era, “news” that are disseminate to the general public are invariably more “Bad” news than good because these sorts of news materials generate mass interests. The rapid spread of such news through all facets of our social environments and the constant barrage of “bad’ news had a negative effect of making one depressed and disheartened. But we should put our faith in the collective wisdom of our people; we should not force one’s yard-stick of morality / integrity / idealism upon others but instead we should show tolerance, patience and hope that common sense will eventually prevail for the good of all.
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felixqui
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Discussion 22 : 18 Jan 2013 at 08.3022
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legend, re D21,
Are you sure about that "quote" from Plato? You did not cite either the work or the Stephanus number. I don't recall it.

It sounds like a nasty claim from the Meletus crowd - the mob who led Athenian democracy to judicially kill the good old man Socrates for corrupting the youth of Athens by teaching them to think, to question, and to worry about things like justice, truth and honour.

Sounds like Thailand's toxic Ministry of Culture and inept Ministry of Education, doesn't it. And of course the do-gooding protectors of Thai youth out for a likely scape goat.
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legend
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Discussion 21 : 18 Jan 2013 at 01.3221
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"Our youth now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for their elders and love chatter in place of exercise; they no longer rise when elders enter the room; they contradict their parents, chatter before company; gobble up their food and tyrannize their teachers.”
Plato (347BC)
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democrazy
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Discussion 20 : 17 Jan 2013 at 22.3120
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There is no democracy in Thailand. And the arrogance of the mighty is the champion. There is no rule of law. A wrong can be easily made a right through corruption. Morals and ethics. Who cares, when you are in a high position you can even be drunk on duty. In nature the strong and healthiest will prevail but in Thailand i guess the more money you have and nobody can stop you.
Maybe our good looking prime minister took some advice from PM Shinzo Abe, because he just ordered his Bank of Japan to print more money.
What a wonderful solution to all the problems of Thailand.
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augratin
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Discussion 19 : 17 Jan 2013 at 21.4119
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Too many 'et ceteras'. Maybe they were there for some kind of effect. If so, it was lost on me.
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The greatest threat to Thailand is not some foreign power, political uproar or even corruption - it's our own weak character, says columnist Voranai Vanijaka | Bangkok Post: opinion

A society in decay

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