A BAD GIRL DESERVES BAD THINGS, DOESN'T SHE?

[Guess]

Caller, I would be interested in findings of any research of that nature.

I have also had a feeling that people are influenced temporarily a lot easier in they are younger, but older peopole are also influenced without giving any concious though to the source of their information.

So many times I have heard adults quote facts that I know they have gleaned from fictional TV or Movies. I myself, believed that the film Bridge on the River Kwai was a trrue account of a situation in the Second World War with second thought. I only found out since I have been here inThailand that it is a complete work of fiction and has no truth in it whatsoever.

So. I beleive that TV can influence many (maybe subsonciously) on a widespread basis and the producers and regulators have a responsibility to keep material from sending out the wrong messages.

In this case specifically there have been three wrongs at least, committed. Firstly a murdress is depicted living free in society. Well that is the stuff of movies and so long as the producers make it clear that she is a criminal awaiting arrest and conviction I don't see the harm.

Secondly she is tried by a mob outside of the national court system and found guilty without a fair trail. This is against the consitution of Thailand and most other civilised countries. This too should be made clear to all viewers that it is, and should be, a serious crime it its own right and the perpetrators should face long prison sentences.

Thirdly, a sentence was carried out that was illegal and served by unauthorised people. Again this is unacceptable and the perpetrators should be facing long prison sentences. 200 years ago at the begining of the Wild west era in the US it would have been considered to be unacceptable to the majority.

My wife's thoughts on it were that it is TV for "stupid people" and shouldn't be watched anyway and if anybody does what they see on TV they deserve to be locked up.

For the reasons stated above I believe in censorship but preferably on a voluntary basis with guide lines issued to producers.

All this about Thailand being a Buddhist country and SE Asia being sexually liberal has no bearing whatsoever even it it were true. These are two common misconceptions about Thailand and the whole region.

On a final note. I have read the reply by Wanderlust many times and do not see why Lindisfarne got so upset. He made two statements. One agreeing that it was wrong to broadcast and the second to guess the reaction of other posters. I can quite understand his getting upset over people who don't read too well.

[sargeant]

I agree vigillante justice is a crime full stop and should be dealt with as such and should never be condoned in any way . it is however indicative of the media showing no none nil responsibility for ratings and money.
As for insulting presumptions on my behalf i am more than capable of doing that myself please ignore them

[sandman67]

Caller

sorry mate, wasn't ignoring your reply...was trying to get some form of response from my mate back in Blighty who is custodian of my books (Id asked him to look up the name of my old Developmental Psychology textbook by Aronson). As usual the daft sod is unresponsive.

Actually I was also naughty and misquoted VS (sorry angel)....she said kids here are just impressionable, not more or less....that my take on it.

Basically my reasoning, based on wobbly remembrances of Dev Psych would be this:

Education is not comparable between here and west.

In the west inquiring minds in a classroom are encouraged...here they are generally quashed. In Thailand the educational style is to dictate and for pupils to absorb in an unquestioning manner. This establishes cognitive patterns that relate more to "programming" than "prompting".

What this sets up is a mind that is more susceptible to being influenced because it is programmed to accept information without questioning the validity of the input itself.

If you are looking for evidence look no further than any TV show here...see all those annoying sodding product placements/sponsor logos etc cluttering up most of the screen/set backdrops? Even on the news programs set backdrops and desks (as well as all up the sides of the screen)? Wonder why they are there?

VS and others already pointed out that Thai tv blurs out images of weapons, alcohol and fags.... because they think if they dont Thai people will have their minds polluted by those images....but yet they are willing to show violence and sexual assaults on primetime TV.... it just doesnt make any sense.

The point you raised about images etc....is that the "violent media breeds voilent kids/adults" argument ? Theres a whole interesting thread in itself mate.... gotta admit that some of the stuff I see in papers and news shows here turns my stomach.

Guess ....

good response mate and some good points made but

Buddhist country and SE Asia being sexually liberal has no bearing whatsoever even it it were true.

I said Thailand is a sexually conservative country, as are all Asian cultures generally.

I also disagree that it being a Buddhist country is irrelevant ....

Buddhists believe in Karma ... which is the "she gets her just deserts" attitude of the shows producers. Her attackers would probably get off karmically as they are instruments of karmic retribution.....

Anyway...nuff from me.... im still hoping we get some Thai members chipping in.

[caller]

I just recall my own experience of sneaking in to see 'A Clockwork Orange' when it was first released and hellfire and damnation were heaped upon it in the UK.

Well afterwards, this 16 (15?) year old was up for beating the crap out of anyone just for the hell of it, such was the glorifying of violence in the film that had never really previously been portrayed. Me and my mate seriously discussed this, but realising it was getting late, meekly went home to bed.

But within days of the films release and before half of the UK banned it, gangs of youths were aping the dress and violence from the film. I witnessed some of that at Putney Commons annual fair.

Then it was banned. I also recall seeing Straw Dogs before that went the same way. Its only in the last few years that both films were finally allowed to be seen again and available on video.

Clockwork now seems very dated and the violence is no worse than what you can expect after the watershed on TV and nothing compared to games that are available. I think Straw Dogs has fared far better for the understated menace.

To me, we live in an image led society where copying what happens on the news, TV, games or screen is not uncommon, copy-cat 'happy slapping' assaults and murders particularly fall into this category and has been cited in quite a few criminal cases recently.

So my point is, I don't think Thailand can be better or worse for copying what is seen on TV.

[Guess]

Guess ....

good response mate and some good points made but

Buddhist country and SE Asia being sexually liberal has no bearing whatsoever even it it were true.

I said Thailand is a sexually conservative country, as are all Asian cultures generally.

I also disagree that it being a Buddhist country is irrelevant ....


Anyway...nuff from me.... im still hoping we get some Thai members chipping in.

Thanks for that but I was not quoting you. The statement relates to a common misconception IMHO. I do understand Buddhist principles but I question the fact that the population of Thailand are Buddhists. I don't think any self respecting practising Buddhist would watch such crap anyway. So if it were a Buddhist country you are right it would be totally relevant as it would not be shown in the first place. This country belongs to the fastest growing religious community on earth. Money worshippers.

I agree about Thailand being sexually conservative but also believe that they are more accommodating with regards to the sex industry here. That is the paradox which is difficult to explain.

Don't hold your breath waiting for Thai input. Forums even in Thai are not normal in their culture. A shame but true.

[caller]

[ Forums even in Thai are not normal in their culture. A shame but true.

Wish someone would tell the missus that - she posts on enough of them!

[Guess]

To me, we live in an image led society where copying what happens on the news, TV, games or screen is not uncommon, copy-cat 'happy slapping' assaults and murders particularly fall into this category and has been cited in quite a few criminal cases recently.

So my point is, I don't think Thailand can be better or worse for copying what is seen on TV.

Yes agreed. One point to note though is that the ban of Clockwork Orange was made by Stanley Kubrick, its creator. The main objection was that it included a rape scene.

My point was that "Thailand can be better or worse" but some guidelines need to put in place to agree what can and cannot be shown. The TV companies only interest is to boost viewing figures to enable them to make greater profits with advertising.

I didn't know that was the fate of Straw Dogs but remember Superfly which was accused of inciting young black people to rebel against authorities.

[Guess]

[ Forums even in Thai are not normal in their culture. A shame but true.

Wish someone would tell the missus that - she posts on enough of them!

Yes I remember her coming on as you a couple years ago. I have known Thai people in both the UK and the US and many adapt to the western ways as a matter of choice.

I just remember reading in one of the newspapers last year about Thai forums just being places for sex to be sold.

Currently there is a anti Thaksin/Government rally going on in BKK which is televised 24hours per day. They also have a web site but there is very little on it.

[caller]

I just remember reading in one of the newspapers last year about Thai forums just being places for sex to be sold.

Thanks for that Guess!!!

I think apart from the T-UK one, most are actually about cooking!

Going back to Straw Dogs (starring Dustin Hoffman), I think the scene that caused most offence was, ironically, in view of the OP, the rape scene in which Susan George visibly veered between distress and horror on the one hand, with fleeting enjoyment on the other.

Good to see you back on here, I missed the droll wit!

[sandman67]

I always scratched my head at the outrage around Reservoir Dogs.... I thought it was a pretty "moral" film:

1) The bad guys who like to use guns all die due to guns:
2) Gunshot death is not shown as quick and clean....its like it usually is...slow and very very messy and painful;
3) The narc who makes his living lying to people dies as a result of his lie...

Mr Pink, who other than a few digs at the copper seems least inclined to violence is the only one that appears to get away....or does he (bang bang screech at the end...)?

[Super Joe]

I always scratched my head at the outrage around Reservoir Dogs.... I thought it was a pretty "moral" film

One of the actors went deaf in one ear while making the movie
Wasn't that a lot to do with the outrage around it ? Great movie.

SJ

[caller]

Yes agreed. One point to note though is that the ban of Clockwork Orange was made by Stanley Kubrick, its creator. The main objection was that it included a rape scene.

Yes, he withdrew it from circulation, but before that, many authorities, including Birmingham, banned it, which of course, made everyone more determined to see it! The cinema at Putney I saw it at was the local indie, not one the main players, who declined to show it and a few years later, that sadly closed.

[Spitfire]

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Some interesting comments here, so will chuk mine in.

The girl in the soap opera should have something negative happen to her to prove that being bad is destructive to her and others, but it think that this is not the correct kind of justice as it sends the wrong message to the watchers of the soap.

The reason I think this is because those that are glued to the TV and detacted when these silly programs come on, which ever country it is in, worry me a lot.

[margaretcarnes]

Going back to VS earlier point about censorship on Thai TV being all to pot. About 5 years ago the HH cable channel stumbled across the most gruesome movie I have ever seen, called Cannibal Holocaust.It made Straw Dogs and Clockwork Orange look like Noddy in Toytown, and caused some debate amongst ex-pats at the time as to whether it was in fact a snuff movie.
But you know how the Cable TV guys often fall asleep? Giveaways are long gaps between the discs, or repeating disc one twice etc. Not in this case! In fact the movie was repeatedly shown again and again. Which made me wonder about the mentality of the folks at the Cable Company. Just a thought.

[charlesh]

Why are people being villified for having an opinion or expressing a debate point (right or wrong - it does depend on the cultural paradigm among other things )? There are some societies where heinous crimes to my way of thinking are almost normal and include blowing up innocent people with the alure of numerous virgins at the end of it for the dastardly task! Being brought to task for speaking of the "unspeakable" is a form of GBH and a relapse into dare I say it 19th C Victorian values and modern day bullying. There are too many prissy types inclusive of governments and religious fanatics who are trying to stiffle debate and create people with robotic mentalities.
If U don't like it don't do it or don't watch it!
Charles H