Brainwash

[Nana]

I am 26 years old and my job is a private teacher. I taught at a catholic school 3 years ago and had enough of the management. I now teach a group of 7-14 years old students. I start my class at 9 o'clock and finish at 11 o'clock every weekend. Early this year I acknowledged my students that food from 7-11 is not the best for them. I tried comparing to them of what they will get if they buy a real chicken from a market to a chicken sausage from 7-11. I also try to inform them of how a big company will take away local people's careers and their parents will earn less. They listened to me and understood this concept well.

One day, one of my intelligent students told me that he had informed his parents about it and they are very happy. One older student said to me that she cannot promise that she will not go to 7-11 because her parents will rather choose 7-11 than local shops. This makes me feel very sad because somehow the vast majority of Thailand do not think for themself. Thailand might end up like Argentina one day if we continue to be so blind. I just thought that if I have a bit of knowledge and I may be able to give some good attitude to younger generation, things may change for the better for this country. I sometimes wonder though if we still have any hope at all?

[aging one]

Originally Posted by Nana

Thailand might end up like Argentina one day if we continue to be so blind. I just thought that if I have a bit of knowledge and I may be able to give some good attitude to younger generation, things may change for the better for this country. I sometimes wonder though if we still have any hope at all?

Whats wrong with Argentina?

[Nana]

Sorry,I thought that they were bankcrupt 5 years or so ago. Am I wrong?

[stfranalum]

Originally Posted by Nana

One older student said to me that she cannot promise that she will not go to 7-11 because her parents will rather choose 7-11 than local shop. This makes me feel very sad because somehow the vast majority of Thailand do not think for themself.

are you for real??

lets look under the hood...

"i want you to think for yourself"

meets:

"why dont you see things the way i do. it makes me sad"

can these two statements ever get along

let it go mate. let it go. all you can do is educate and move on to the next person to educate. progress is slow. and progress never comes from a kid saying to you, "i will convince my family to do just as you told me!"

change is a slow churn. don burn out from your inability to change children overnight.

C H I L L

and keep plowing the field homeboy

[aging one]

Originally Posted by stfranalum

and keep plowing the field homegirl

-----
Nana,

Argentina did have a financial meltdown much as Thailand did in the late 1990's and early part of the 2000's but has come out quite strong.

Make a correlation to Zimbabwe if you like though.

Economy of Argentina - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Nana]

and keep plowing the field homegirl

Yes that's the fact, plantation is our main career here. Most people here own either rubber of palm plantation. We earn well here but mostly just spend it in 7-11 or Tesco instead of local shops. People who used to own shops here now are out of business because they cannot beat this big companies.

Thanks AO for the info, I will look into that.

[stfranalum]

idealistic backpacker meets pedagogical employment situation

result: burnout...im leaving next month. ive had enough of this country.

advice: take time to smell the roses. and if you like 'em, smoke 'em :smoker:

[Nana]

I am not a backpacker, I am Thai and that's why I am worried. This is my bloody country. I can leave but what is here is mine and always will be.

[aging one]

Originally Posted by stfranalum

result: burnout...im leaving next month. ive had enough of this country.

What happened a week ago you were staying put.

[columbia]

Originally Posted by Nana

People who used to own shops here now are out of business because they cannot beat this big companies.

More like people are bored with paying for dusty filthy stock which results in a point blank refusal for a refund upon returning to the shop to point out that the Fritolays are out of date by 3 months.

[Well]

Originally Posted by Nana

I am Thai and that's why I am worried. This is my bloody country.

so change it nana, you're in a position to.

's gonna take a lot of long, hard work but at least you can be happy within yourself that you did something, rather than sitting back and letting things slide downhill.

[SageAndOnion]

Originally Posted by Nana

I sometimes wonder though if we still have any hope at all?

If you understood that foreign investment (and immigration) have usually proved to be positive economic forces all around the world, than I think you would have a lot more hope.

[Matthew]

Originally Posted by Nana

Most people here own either rubber or palm plantation. We earn well here but mostly just spend it in 7-11 or Tesco instead of local shops.

My (future) Thai family has/does both - (small) rubber & palm plantations and a local shop (stock out on their front porch) and as far as I could tell on my last visit folks there don't buy junk food from a local Seven, they'd rather pluck a fish from the pond in the back or cross the street and have the neighbor hack a chicken's head off..and for this I'm glad. I don't think I saw a Seven in Bang Saphan Noi at all, but I wouldn't necessarily be surprised if there was one I missed along the main road, or will be soon. The slow and whole life, the one they still live down in those parts, may not be around too much longer. I'm happy to hear about what you're teaching your students Nana.

[defender]

Originally Posted by Nana

This makes me feel very sad because somehow the vast majority of Thailand do not think for themself.

You mean they don't see things the same way as you do of course

[latm]

Originally Posted by Matthew

I don't think I saw a Seven in Bang Saphan Noi at all,

Up the road a bit at Bang Sahpan you can find several if you feel the need.