Has patriotism in Thailand gone too far?

[buksida]

If you happened to live in Thailand during the ’90s, chances are you have heard at least one song written by Nitipong “Dee” Honark. The popular and prolific songwriter has produced over 100 hits in the past few decades and now sits as one of the ‘Thailand’s Got Talent’ judges. Beyond his musical abilities, Dee is also an outspoken patriot. Not only did he publicly vow to shave his head if the national football team lost to Myanmar (Burma) at the SEA Games, Dee also took time during the recent political conflicts to write songs about peace and love to harmonize Thai people.

Last week, the 55-year-old songwriter ignited a human rights debate after he commented on Thailand’s recent deportation of Uighurs to China. “Thai people have nothing to do with it, no plus or minus. It’s between China and the Uighurs. That the Chinese government may get brutal with the Uighurs, Muslim Turks, has nothing to do with us. We never have had problems with anyone. It’s their history, not ours,” he wrote on Facebook. Dee’s willingness to relieve Thailand from any wrongdoing brought in people from both sides of the argument, lauding and condemning him.

Full story: Asian Correspondent

Thought: I'm actually surprised that this website hasn't been blocked yet!

[caducus]

I would not say that, "Patriotism in Thailand has gone too far, as such a statement presupposes that patriotism in other places has NOT gone too far. Dr Johnson is credited with the observation that, "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." If he did, indeed, say that he was, uttering a very polite understatement. I would go along with George Bernard Shaw and declare that, "You'll never have a quiet world till you knock the patriotism out of the human race."
It's high time to start a bit of knocking

[Takiap]

Well, seeing as though the question relates to Thailand only, my answer would be yes. Through my eyes, I see most Thais being patriot to the point of blindness. No other country, and/or no other person in the world could ever hope to do what a Thai person can do. The rest of the world is full of humans that know nothing. From cutting edge science, to farming chickens, Somachai the somtam seller knows best. Do I care? Absolutely not. Children believe in fairies as well, and Santa, so just let them be.


On a more serious note.....Yes I think patriotism is probably mankind's biggest downfall.

[GLCQuantum]

Patriotism in Thailand hasn't 'gone too' anything. It's always been there... the very same as it is today - maybe worse. Most countries were like that before. The difference is, is that most other countries grew up and started to indulge in other countries' cultures, mindsets... ideas.

Thailand continues to wallow in its own self pride thus stunting the growth of the country.

Only the North Koreans, Chinese and Americans can match the heights of Thailand when it comes to...

"I come from here so I'm superior to you".

[pharvey]

Nothing wrong in being patriotic - I for one am very proud of my heritage. I class myself as Welsh & British as I was born to a Welsh mother and a "Yorkshire" father (he insists his is a separate race - I can concur , as would our dear departed Richard).

Unfortunately, it can also become somewhat "tribal" as seen in sport - leading to violence especially seen in Wendyball. In the extreme, leads to war and death - the American Civil War an ideal example.

[GLCQuantum]

I agree that there's nothing wrong with being patriotic. I'm also proud of where I come from. It's when it becomes a little more than just that, when things get bad. You gave some good examples.

Those jolly folk in the Ku Klux Klan were an extremely patriotic bunch of people, too.

When patrioticism (that's a word, right?) becomes an excuse to look down on others, it all gets a bit daft.

[dtaai-maai]

patrioticism (that's a word, right?)

No, it's two words - patriotic and patriotism!

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The comments made on this thread on the subject of patriotism can be summed up thus.

"I am patriotic and there is nothing wrong with that. It's just other people being patriotic that's bad."

I still consider that patriotism is an absolutely abominable attitude..and solipsism too!

[GLCQuantum]

patrioticism (that's a word, right?)

No, it's two words - patriotic and patriotism!

Damn it... thought I'd nailed that one.

..and solipsism too!

Solipsism?

*GLC heads to google*

Edit: So you learn something new everyday... I am not a 'solipsisist', apparently.