The Olympics have rules and athletes know what they are. Whether and if they chose to violate them, inadvertently or intentionally, obviously each case should be examined on its merits by the people concerned – the athlete and Olympic officials – not by outside observers.
Engaging in such actions challenges established rules and not only violates them, it sets up precedents for others or reflects some kind of exceptionalism. When id doubt, ask first.
Propaganda is not something everyone in the world chooses to be exposed to. In some areas it is a no-no. As said, it’s simple to be an outside observer and comment on what we see or read, but much different to be the athlete involved or the Olympic committee members who have to make the decision. Our feelings are one thing, reality on the ground quite another.
What’s really interesting about the controversy over Pimsiri Sirikaew’s propaganda display on the podium is that it shows how profoundly perceptions of Thailand’s monarchy have changed over the past few years – both at home and abroad. For decades the international community and the majority of Thais believed the fairytales that dear old Bhumibol was universally beloved. When Thais held a photograph of their king on an Olympic podium or the summit of Everest or wherever, this was generally regarded as a heart-warming sign of the unquestioning reverence Bhumibol had earned from his loyal subjects.
Those days are over and they can never return. Particularly since 2006, it has been plainly apparent to Thais and foreigners alike that the palace has played a partisan role in Thai politics throughout the country’s modern history. Opinions may differ over whether the political meddling of the king and queen and their children and proxies has been beneficial or damaging for Thailand, but nobody can seriously claim in 2012 that the king is above politics and a unifying figure in Thailand.
Disastrously of course, the monarchy and extreme royalists refuse to accept this, and so Thai athletes still feel pressured to ostentatiously demonstrate their love for the king. And a few bewildered Thais like Areepan Zielonka #8 continue to regurgitate the same tired old clichés (helpfully informing Pavin Chachavalpongpun that “if you go to Thailand, you could see everywhere the King’s photos because Thai people love him” was a particularly comic touch) . But nobody takes these people seriously any more, and to the international community in 2012, it’s no longer seen as endearing for a Thai to display a photograph of the king on the Olympic podium. It’s seen as embarrassing and inappropriate, and rightly so. I doubt Khun Pimsiri will lose her medal, but hopefully the whole episode will teach the Thai authorities that this rather pathetic tradition needs to end.
A great deal has happened since the Beijing Olympics, and if one wants to identify the moment when perceptions were transformed, it was Sirikit’s decision to preside over a Yellow Shirt funeral in October 2008. Since that day, holding a photograph of a Thai royal on the Olympic podium can no longer be defended as an apolitical act. It’s as divisive and inappropriate as holding a photograph of Thaksin Shinawatra while receiving a medal. The game is over. It’s time to stop.
Without duress and from my own free will, I certainly love my King.
And I could fully understand Thai Olympians being so overcome with the emotion of winning silver or gold medals for their country as to proudly hoist up a photo of their Beloved King.
Pavin asks this inane question: So far, Thailand is the only nation, at the London Olympics, which preserves this tradition of public glorification of its leader. But doesn’t this make Thailand look worse?
I don’t see it as neither political or religious propaganda in this case. She didn’t get anything from it, neither the King! If you go to Thailand, you could see everywhere the King’s photos because Thai people love him. He might be her inspiration to win the games and she just wanted to show her respect and love. What’s wrong with that? It’s just an expression not a propaganda!
I have just checked with the IOC (International Olympic Committee), it turns out that even the North Korean medallists never held photos of their leader. Many social media networks had shown such images (photos of NK medalists holding photo of their leader), yet these were fake.
Thus, the last paragraph should read:
It has been somewhat of a tradition for Thai Olympians to display a photo of the King as they received medals. So far, Thailand is the only nation, at the London Olympics, which preserves this tradition of public glorification of its leader.
If that is the case, Meseret Defar of Ethiopia who won a gold medal in the women 5,000 metre race could also be disqualified as she was seen displaying a religious picture just after finishing the race.Clearly she had breached the Olympic Charter.
I hope they don’t take it away, rather issue a warning to all athletes. For a Thai or N. Korean it is rather a religious/Political show of reverence, and rules are rules and are enforced outside of The two above countries.
I do not like political photos being displayed. However, to strip someone of a medal
for displaying them is ridiculous. The countries involved should be warned that they should not do it in future.
As for the 3rd point about political, religious or racial propaganda is not permitted, then they should ban everyone from wearing their countries flag on clothing and flags in the stadium. Medals tables should be banned as well as they foster nationalism. Muslim women who wear head coverings should also be banned as that is a political and religious statement. All advertising falls foul of that rule as their actions around the world are based on political greed and subjucation of peoples.
The rule needs to be changed.
The process does matter, of course. But, how do you suggest going about changing the process?
Bloody revolution or helping along endogenous institutional reform?
If you want bloody revolution, I think how you’re approaching this is the way to go. However, I am fairly sure you wouldn’t want any more blood spilled for this ridiculousness.
A useful perspective. Given the military’s dominance over sports administration in Thailand, the medalists, boxers and so on are usually pressured to make the propagandist display. Hence, it would be sad if the athlete was punished. Even if the display was freely made, the athlete is simply reflecting decades of propaganda. Like NK displays, this has been made the norm.
Latt, Sai. S.W. (2011). More than culture, gender, and class: erasing Shan labor in the “Success” of Thailand’s Royal Project. Critical Asian Studies. 43(4):531-550.
Latt, Sai. S.W. (2009). Ethnic Politics, Migrant Labour and Agrarian Transformation: A Case Study of the Hmong and Shan in a Royal Project in Northern Thailand. Working Paper No. 4, The Challenges of the Agrarian Transformation in Southeast Asia (ChATSEA). Universite` de Montreal. 25pp. [Full Text PDF]
The Chinese community wants a strong opposition to check the BN government by giving their support to DAP.They still want BN to govern for economic and political stability.Most Chinese prefer UMNO to PAS because UMNO is more liberal, progressive and experienced.The Chinese community is not comfortable with PAS political agenda.My assesment is that BN will still win but with no clear majority.Perhaps UMNO-DAP coalition would be an option in the case of a hung parliament.
Many of these so-called Royal Projects, at least up here in the far North, are
royal in name only.I have been told repeatedly that this or that project has nothing to do with the Royal Family, but that, rather an organization or foundation wants to have credibility so they pay, probably the CPB, and lease the name to put on the project.
This is the ultimate training ground to produce robots who obey implicitly without questioning. They are also trained on how to rape, how to killя╗┐ according to Buddhist scriptures, how to steal and yet get “merit” for doing so …. etc. etc.
This place should be burned down and a memmorial erected for all those killed by them.
[…] does the saga tell us about Thailand? Firstly, it illustrates the stunning extent of criminality within Thailand’s police. As The Economist pointed out in a 2008 article: ”In Thailand’s most sensational […]
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Thailand’s silver snatched?
The Olympics have rules and athletes know what they are. Whether and if they chose to violate them, inadvertently or intentionally, obviously each case should be examined on its merits by the people concerned – the athlete and Olympic officials – not by outside observers.
Engaging in such actions challenges established rules and not only violates them, it sets up precedents for others or reflects some kind of exceptionalism. When id doubt, ask first.
Propaganda is not something everyone in the world chooses to be exposed to. In some areas it is a no-no. As said, it’s simple to be an outside observer and comment on what we see or read, but much different to be the athlete involved or the Olympic committee members who have to make the decision. Our feelings are one thing, reality on the ground quite another.
Thailand’s silver snatched?
What’s really interesting about the controversy over Pimsiri Sirikaew’s propaganda display on the podium is that it shows how profoundly perceptions of Thailand’s monarchy have changed over the past few years – both at home and abroad. For decades the international community and the majority of Thais believed the fairytales that dear old Bhumibol was universally beloved. When Thais held a photograph of their king on an Olympic podium or the summit of Everest or wherever, this was generally regarded as a heart-warming sign of the unquestioning reverence Bhumibol had earned from his loyal subjects.
Those days are over and they can never return. Particularly since 2006, it has been plainly apparent to Thais and foreigners alike that the palace has played a partisan role in Thai politics throughout the country’s modern history. Opinions may differ over whether the political meddling of the king and queen and their children and proxies has been beneficial or damaging for Thailand, but nobody can seriously claim in 2012 that the king is above politics and a unifying figure in Thailand.
Disastrously of course, the monarchy and extreme royalists refuse to accept this, and so Thai athletes still feel pressured to ostentatiously demonstrate their love for the king. And a few bewildered Thais like Areepan Zielonka #8 continue to regurgitate the same tired old clichés (helpfully informing Pavin Chachavalpongpun that “if you go to Thailand, you could see everywhere the King’s photos because Thai people love him” was a particularly comic touch) . But nobody takes these people seriously any more, and to the international community in 2012, it’s no longer seen as endearing for a Thai to display a photograph of the king on the Olympic podium. It’s seen as embarrassing and inappropriate, and rightly so. I doubt Khun Pimsiri will lose her medal, but hopefully the whole episode will teach the Thai authorities that this rather pathetic tradition needs to end.
A great deal has happened since the Beijing Olympics, and if one wants to identify the moment when perceptions were transformed, it was Sirikit’s decision to preside over a Yellow Shirt funeral in October 2008. Since that day, holding a photograph of a Thai royal on the Olympic podium can no longer be defended as an apolitical act. It’s as divisive and inappropriate as holding a photograph of Thaksin Shinawatra while receiving a medal. The game is over. It’s time to stop.
Thailand’s silver snatched?
Without duress and from my own free will, I certainly love my King.
And I could fully understand Thai Olympians being so overcome with the emotion of winning silver or gold medals for their country as to proudly hoist up a photo of their Beloved King.
Pavin asks this inane question: So far, Thailand is the only nation, at the London Olympics, which preserves this tradition of public glorification of its leader. But doesn’t this make Thailand look worse?
Why so Pavin? Please do explain.
Thailand’s silver snatched?
Areepan,
Not every Thai loves your king. I have been to many places where to photo is not on display. What about LM?
Pavin, Black propaganda takes all forms. 555
Thailand’s silver snatched?
I don’t see it as neither political or religious propaganda in this case. She didn’t get anything from it, neither the King! If you go to Thailand, you could see everywhere the King’s photos because Thai people love him. He might be her inspiration to win the games and she just wanted to show her respect and love. What’s wrong with that? It’s just an expression not a propaganda!
Thailand’s silver snatched?
Apologies.
I have just checked with the IOC (International Olympic Committee), it turns out that even the North Korean medallists never held photos of their leader. Many social media networks had shown such images (photos of NK medalists holding photo of their leader), yet these were fake.
Thus, the last paragraph should read:
It has been somewhat of a tradition for Thai Olympians to display a photo of the King as they received medals. So far, Thailand is the only nation, at the London Olympics, which preserves this tradition of public glorification of its leader.
But doesn’t this make Thailand look worse?
Thai Studies in the Shadow of (Self) Censorship
[…] Read a report of panel’s views on “Thai Studies in the Shadow of (Self) Censorship” at http://www.newmandala.org/2012/08/06/thai-studies-in-the-shadow-of-self-censorship-16…. […]
Thailand’s silver snatched?
If that is the case, Meseret Defar of Ethiopia who won a gold medal in the women 5,000 metre race could also be disqualified as she was seen displaying a religious picture just after finishing the race.Clearly she had breached the Olympic Charter.
Thailand’s silver snatched?
I hope they don’t take it away, rather issue a warning to all athletes. For a Thai or N. Korean it is rather a religious/Political show of reverence, and rules are rules and are enforced outside of The two above countries.
Thailand’s silver snatched?
I do not like political photos being displayed. However, to strip someone of a medal
for displaying them is ridiculous. The countries involved should be warned that they should not do it in future.
As for the 3rd point about political, religious or racial propaganda is not permitted, then they should ban everyone from wearing their countries flag on clothing and flags in the stadium. Medals tables should be banned as well as they foster nationalism. Muslim women who wear head coverings should also be banned as that is a political and religious statement. All advertising falls foul of that rule as their actions around the world are based on political greed and subjucation of peoples.
The rule needs to be changed.
Thailand’s silver snatched?
Not true!
The British have sung with vigour and love “God Save the Queen” twenty five times so far…
Developing the monarchy
Patrick Jory
The process does matter, of course. But, how do you suggest going about changing the process?
Bloody revolution or helping along endogenous institutional reform?
If you want bloody revolution, I think how you’re approaching this is the way to go. However, I am fairly sure you wouldn’t want any more blood spilled for this ridiculousness.
Indo Ojek is confused.
Thailand’s silver snatched?
A useful perspective. Given the military’s dominance over sports administration in Thailand, the medalists, boxers and so on are usually pressured to make the propagandist display. Hence, it would be sad if the athlete was punished. Even if the display was freely made, the athlete is simply reflecting decades of propaganda. Like NK displays, this has been made the norm.
Developing the monarchy
http://www.newmandala.org/2008/09/05/examining-the-success-of-a-northern-thai-royal-project/
http://sailatt.wordpress.com/
Latt, Sai. S.W. (2011). More than culture, gender, and class: erasing Shan labor in the “Success” of Thailand’s Royal Project. Critical Asian Studies. 43(4):531-550.
Latt, Sai. S.W. (2009). Ethnic Politics, Migrant Labour and Agrarian Transformation: A Case Study of the Hmong and Shan in a Royal Project in Northern Thailand. Working Paper No. 4, The Challenges of the Agrarian Transformation in Southeast Asia (ChATSEA). Universite` de Montreal. 25pp. [Full Text PDF]
Thailand’s silver snatched?
“For King and country” . . . that’s not an unusual message is it?
Will she lose her silver medal because of her display of love for her King? Very very very unlikely.
Political change in Malaysia and uncertainty in the future: sobering lessons from Indonesia
The Chinese community wants a strong opposition to check the BN government by giving their support to DAP.They still want BN to govern for economic and political stability.Most Chinese prefer UMNO to PAS because UMNO is more liberal, progressive and experienced.The Chinese community is not comfortable with PAS political agenda.My assesment is that BN will still win but with no clear majority.Perhaps UMNO-DAP coalition would be an option in the case of a hung parliament.
Developing the monarchy
Many of these so-called Royal Projects, at least up here in the far North, are
royal in name only.I have been told repeatedly that this or that project has nothing to do with the Royal Family, but that, rather an organization or foundation wants to have credibility so they pay, probably the CPB, and lease the name to put on the project.
Life at Burma’s Defence Services Academy
ma aye loe ….. glorifying your stepfathers ?
They are no more than self-glorified rapists, murderers and thieves !
Life at Burma’s Defence Services Academy
сАЩ сА▒сАб сАЬсАнсАпсА╕ bamar chee
This is the ultimate training ground to produce robots who obey implicitly without questioning. They are also trained on how to rape, how to killя╗┐ according to Buddhist scriptures, how to steal and yet get “merit” for doing so …. etc. etc.
This place should be burned down and a memmorial erected for all those killed by them.
Bring in the Rohingyas to do the job !
Thai institutions: Police
[…] does the saga tell us about Thailand? Firstly, it illustrates the stunning extent of criminality within Thailand’s police. As The Economist pointed out in a 2008 article: ”In Thailand’s most sensational […]