Thread: Forthright Analysis

Originally Posted by Thinkingofachange

Replace "Thailand" with "China" or "Korea", and this article remains equally correct.

Originally Posted by tomcat

Little do we realise that the West would not be the most developed part of the world today (economic crises notwithstanding), if it had not gone through the ages of Reason and Enlightenment, in which feudalistic cultural traditions were questioned and turned upside down.

There are social ecology factors that cause Thais to be the way they are...that cannot be changed in a generation...and the old feudalistic ways of Europe were far less benevolent than those of Thailand...the author is guilty of criticising something that he either does not understand and/or should be considering...having said that I agree that Thais who get to the West often do not want to go home

Originally Posted by kiwiling

feudalistic ways of Europe were far less benevolent than those of Thailand

How dare you criticize Thailand when Europe 200 years ago was much worse!

Originally Posted by peelieorion

Trying to get kids to challenge their culture and look at the world in a different light is so bloody difficult.

For whom is it NOT difficult. I think 2-3 generation is about the record time for a culture to accept change. How long would it take you to forget everything your parents, friends, relatives and schooling taught you?

Much of Thai culture I love. I try and change educational culture in my school to get kids to do more than just rote learn and memorise facts to pass exams. If a student is going to get better at English they need to be able to think for themselves, develop the ability to ask and answer questions and form opinions for themselves. Much of what they learn here are cheesy phrases to fill in blanks on exam questions. The challenge is to try and get students to master skills that often they have never done in their own language. Things like brainstorming, story writing, giving balanced opinions need to be experienced to get a more rounded student. Otherwise English because a functional learning roleplays for my job but cannot hold a basic conversation subject.

Originally Posted by goo_stewart

why, oh why, would Thai parents spend millions in educating their children in the West

To get better jobs - but not to challenge the system. Same in China.

Originally Posted by tomcat

We Thais are the ones who have kept the country from advancement

That should be added to the national anthem.

amen..