WE LIVE in the great paradox of our times. Thai people live longer and better than their ancestors enjoyed centuries ago. Yet, as we enter the second decade of the 21st Century, we are today more afraid of everything than before - just read the headlines in the Thai press during the past three days. To survive, a clear mind about ourselves and society - shortcomings and potential - is needed. The following ten greatest fears must be wrestled with and brought to ground.
1. CONCERN OVER HIS MAJESTY. The Thais have taken for granted that their King would live forever. Universally they would never think of losing a king. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej is 82 years old and has recently recovered from a month-long illness.
Sooner or later, the people of this country will have to decide on their political future - as nobody else can or will. Since 2001, political developments have pushed forward myriad forms of governance. Constructive and open debate on the unique institution he represents, so far enjoyed by foreigners, must be encouraged among local intellects. For the time being, lessons and insights culled from present and former kingdoms, near and far, would be useful.
2. FEAR OF LOSING THAI WAY OF LIFE. The easy-going life style which Thailand is famous for has long gone. At present we are a country of cynics who do not allow other people to excel at things they can do well. Every act seems treacherous these days. The usual Land of Smiles and Amazing Thailand is no more. Thais need to think outside the box and live on. A new Thai way of life that is more dynamic and multicultural will emerge incorporating traditional and new values. How can we stay free, as the word Thai means, if we remain static, narrow-minded, passive with agonised faces?
3. FEAR OF LOSING NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY. Thailand, formerly Siam, has warded off enemies and maintained the country's independence and freedom. The leaders of yesteryear were triumphant because the people were united and followed common leaders. However in present fragmented Thailand, many power wielders exalt their own demagoguery. As a result, ugly national tendencies have popped up. Right-wingers and nationalist extremists rear their ugly heads once more and are making news headlines everyday, recalling lost glories and territorial integrity.
Fear of autonomy, in terms of lexicon, has blocked many doable resolutions of century-old violence in southern provinces.
4. FEAR OF INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM. Of late, Thai society and people dare not peer into the unknown. Proliferation of new media has made attempts to block the flow of information and analysis, and keep them unheard, impossible. Without openness and access to all forms of information, mutated views and rumours that undermine public morals, are found aplenty abroad. Without freedom of thought, local citizens would be left out of information chains, crucial for the country's survival and progress. Thai society should not fear intellectual freedom. We are a resilient people and capable of absorbing the severe shock of harsh realities.
5. FEAR OF COLOUR-BLINDNESS. Colours epitomise freshness or revolutions in other nations. Over here colours could mean bloodshed. Visitors fear getting caught wearing two deadly colours - yellow and red. Even US State Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton wore a turquoise colour dress during her only TV press interview in Bangkok - not to appear on the wrong side. If the colour division continues, it could be the country's biggest time-bomb. Strange but true, during economic hardship, ordinary folks forge a sense of belonging and security through colour identification. The rich and poor Thai, like football fans, can mingle with oneness of colour. Cheers and boos accompanied by hand or foot plastic clappers are panacea these days.
6. FEAR OF INSIGNIFICANCE. This newly coveted social value was brought about by the ascension of tycoon cum exhibitionist Thaksin Shinawatra, who adores success, extravaganza and significance. Willingness to pay for deceptive schemes to increase significance is rampaging in all strata. Self-adoring stories and biographies written by ghosted writers are popular among the well to do. Live events organised by professional groups are in trend to create illusions of past grandeur or never-have been experiences. One common theme runs through these books and live events - the claim of being humble and more full of metta [universal love] than others.
7. FEAR OF POLITICAL CHAOS. Numerous disturbances and political turmoil,including the April would-be carnage, were avoided partially due to Abhisit's ceaseless luck and good karma. His leadership's transparency and accountability has helped his political longevity in executing, not abusing, power. This quality will help him to reign-in military and police top brass, especially those with close ties with Thaksin. Again, pundits have predicted political conflict will go on and perhaps intensify this year. Deep in our gut, we must not be held hostage by catastrophic writers, who refuse to correct mistaken perceptions but choose to amplify them. Self-defeating illusion has become a serious pandemic.
8. FEAR OF TELLING THE TRUTH. The way wide-eyed Jatuporn Promphan of the Phuea Thai Party manufactures lies and gets away scot free reveals serious flaws in Thai society. He can easily outwit Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi propagandist, as he is doing it so often. His boss, Thaksin, is better as he acts out on the global stage using all available new media outlets. The two follow Goebbels' famous dictate: if you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. Little lies, told repeatedly, will become a huge lie that the Thai public takes as truth by default.
With millions of free-spending dollars and media spin over three years, Thaksin succeeded in constructing a Potemkin Village, replacing his homeland. Now some of these lies seem to be infecting countries near and far.
9. FEAR OF ABHISIT'S WITHERING LEADERSHIP. The boyish leader has baffled all observers by his infallibility. Thai public and media have a Jekyll and Hyde dualism - an Augustus-like dictator but with a playfully gentle quality. They adore a pliant prime minister.
Unfortunately, Abhisit does not fit in this mould. Unshakeable composure during exchanges with opposition heavyweights cum rumour mongers has become his magic wand enabling him to survive political voodoos and media character assassinations. His non-prime-minister's good looks are mainly to blame, pundits professed, but very few have credited his political ingenuity - decency and the ability to accommodate with existing institutions. We, as a nation, have a dangerous mindset: no prime minister, or any leader, is good enough to solve the country's problems. Therefore he is the problem. In weeks ahead, it can impact on Abhisit's psyche and performance. He has to walk a fine line. What would his character be if he morphs into a ruthless leader or deal maker, as many wish him to be?
10. FEAR OF THE FICKLE FUTURE. It is the worst form of fear. Did the worst come to pass? Probably not. Astrologers, who seem to govern this crisis-prone nation, have worked overtime during New Year's Eve churning out pessimistic visions of the country's future. Maniacs, like retired General Panlop Kinmanee and Maj-General Katiya Sawatdiphol, add fuel to the fire. Their egotism grows according to casualties caused.
Self-fulfilling prophecy at work. Thai people normally get an adrenaline rush hearing their lives will get worse, mired in ceaseless violence. Some would work harder and save more by eating Mama instant noodles, while others would want to get old quickly in order to receive the government's Bt500 monthly allowance
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