swillowbee

But back to Thailand, I think we all know that the educational system here is rather appalling.  I've read several books by Thai and foreign authors that suggest education in this country (like many things: culture, the exploitation and distortion of Thai Buddhism, the complexities of the Thai writing 'system', etc) have been purposefully designed to keep the 'poor' class in their position at the expense of the elites.  I've seen this argument laid out quite well with all types of historical support.  

So, I'm not so sure what Thailand is 'on about'.  (Is that a British expression or an Aussie one?  I'm not good with those quaint expressions of English.)  My predictions are that:

1) the elites are NOT going to make effort to change this culture.  Why would they.  They enjoy one of the largest wealth gaps in the world.  And, why do you think the Thais have one of the highest Power Index values in the world?

2) the poor are systematically prevented from learning a.) why and b.) how to challenge the 'establishment'.  They are prevented through the 'educational' system in Thailand.  They are prevented through their indoctrination of nationalistic teachings.  In other words, "direct any angst you may have about your life at the 'other'.  The foreigner  They are prevented by their shaping by perverted Thai Buddhism that teaches them that they belong wherever they are and that they shouldn't want for improvement.

3) So, the change will most certainly HAVE TO come from the Thai middle class.  They have a choice to make.  Certainly, there are not many of them, but their numbers are growing, and that could be marvelous thing for Thailand.  Thus far, it seems rather apparent that the middle class (and by this I mean reasonably educated, probably at least some English speaking, more liberal and modern but perhaps not ultra wealthy Thais) lacks the courage and/or ability and/or desire to change things here -- and that is, of course, their choice if it is so.

So, all this talk about improving the education system here, to me, is rather pointless unless Thais are willing to actually look at the fundamentals that dictate largely why things are the way they are.  Their educational system and the other systems of indoctrination (religion, " others ", nationalism) are in many ways (including those most probably intended) are wholly a masterpiece.  What other nation can grip and stifle people's minds so well that they completely lack the desire or will to affect for themselves a better, more respectable, more comfortable existence?  Thailand is unique in this regard.

There is a proper nasty streak going through this thread................sex trafficking effects every Western country in the world, it's certainly not limited to Thailand and Asia.

Let's celebrate the bravery of the little girl, that is the most important thing..........

Let's give credit to the police, they moved to they assistance as soon as they were alerted..........

Let's see more action to clamp down on any form of child abuse...........I would like to see Thaivisa open and pin a gallery of suspected paedophiles.

These people rely upon the shadows to prosper.......they hide below the noses of decent people. The one thing they cannot handle is publicity.

I would like to see Thaivisa tie up a deal with the Law Enforcement agencies where they can post the photos of paedophiles suspected to be in Thailand and contact details of the relevant police force.

Instead of Thaivisa members constantly warring over this issue and competing for the best form of torture for paedophiles award, let's do something positive.........

Pin a gallery of suspects and let the decent Thaivisa members hunt out the paedophiles in our communities.

ps    I lay you odds there are some Thaivisa members going white right now at this idea........when you see some of the responses to paedophile stories on this forum you know, you just know, they are in our midst.