Highly accurate observation of literacy and educational level of people in Burma. Although U Nu himself might be simply co-incidental.
Ironically Burmese value education very highly as national characteristic. And Burmese folklore and proverbs are replete with such sentiment. And of course traditional Buddhist monasteries since well before any large scale foreign influence came about were redoubts of educational efforts accounting for such high literacy rates which is also seen among the girls, with many outstanding women, lay or as Thi-la-shin instructing religious literature to the fully ordained monks through the history.
Current decline and indeed “celebration” of ignorance is simply a predictable product of the rise, and rise and rise of the mostly illiterate military men for half a century in solidified totalitarian grip of the country. Them being rich and powerful the young have ample example to follow apart from the lack of opportunity.
Current unanimous rallying around the military with the vice grip on the country by the international communities of business people, politicians and academics will only makes things worse.
Like the now esteemed and almost fully internationally endorsed “constitution”, military knows that so long as they control the materials riches of the country and open up for the multinationals, they can simply get away with similar farcical change in all spheres of the social, political needs of the country.
Taken from the above post #45.1. I actually thought of changing it to “Britain”, but then I decided it would be better to retain J├╕rgen’s exact wording.
A much closer parallel would be if Israel, at some point during the 1950’s, decided to name a ship the Menachem Begin and then deployed it in waters around Cyprus. (See King David Hotel bombing.) It’s not close, just closer.
More of a rundown of the last ten years concerning events in southern Thailand and recent events in Bangkok – thought it was supposed to be about Malaysia? I would indeed speculate that if violence escalates in the Thai south, it would further complicate Bangkok politics and Thailand’s relations with Malaysia.
Pawin [there’s no “v” in Thai over-simplifies a few things to blame the war on Thaksin and exculpate the Democrats. Ever since PAS took over the east side of peninsular Malaysia, there were de-facto sanctuaries for Muslim insurgents there. Bangkok’s rule in the south was often a tenuous thing. 30 Years ago, PM Prem Tinsulanon and 4th Army Commander Han Linanon pulled off some adroit social engineering in the South. Muslims became district police chiefs with Colonel rank, women were allowed to wear the hijab and Muslim students were no longer required to observe Buddhist rites at schools. Effectively, there was US-style “affirmative action” for Muslims. These policies continued under Thaksin. Remember, when Democrat Chuan was PM, there were still insurgent attacks in the border provinces.
George Thomas
For all jeering at these dumb Burmese, this is true Burmese fashion of deliberate decision. There is “Thu nge dun” in Burmese schooling traditionally as Toch would certainly know and currently in force. That is taken as Grade 1.
Thailand will have little impact on Malaysia, as Thailand, for all its corruption and occasional violence, has genuine multiple parties and elections, where parties exchange control over Thailand. Malaysia has one party that has dominated the country from its inception, and the opposition wields less influence than their Thai counterparts, particularly as the Press in Thailand is more free than in Malaysia, and Thailand, while a proud nation, does not suffer from extreme ethnocentricism as Malaysia does, where one would hardly see a Thai person threatening to behead or banish a non-ethnic Thai from Thailand. Thailand’s problems are political; Malaysia’s problems are existential racism, disharmony and religious divisiveness. Yes, Thailand has such issues in the south, but as a Surin Pitsuwan (a minority Thai Shi’a Muslim) can become a Foreign Minister in Thailand, no such opportunity exists for the non-Malay minorities in Malaysia, because the Government (UMNO) will not allow it. Reform
in Thailand is rather different than in Malaysia, where reform is slower than in Bangkok, but where also the Malaysian military is less inclined to involve itself directly in Malaysian governmental affairs, much unlike their Thai military counterparts.
It’s because nobody responsible spotted or questioned the anomaly in kindergarten thu nge darn being designated in English grade 1 and not kindergarten rather like ground floor being designated level one so it confuses everyone.
Mind you I have heard an apartment in a building described as seventh storey sixth floor khun na-hlwa chauk htut creating a bit of confusion for some by the unnecessary elaboration.
Terrific article. An excellent parody in the style in which thai politics is conducted. Until the egregious lese majeste laws are removed Thai politics will continue to be a shadow boxing contest between blind people. The truth is that for many Thai people a soap opera is about as understandable a framework as any for the symptoms they see produced by the invisible machinations of un-nameable elites. The problem these same elites have is that, for all his substantial flaws, Mr. T and his outfit are at least visible.
To John Q,
I am recently aware of Khamsing Srinawk’s work, but I never have an opportunity to read it. Is the book available on line or perhaps at the book store?
The Rocket first and foremost is a great film. Its cinemoatography, acting, soundtrack and scripting is brilliant. Its not at all a documentary nor should it be seen as one. And yes it does showcase Lao’s stunning karst landcsape but the stories (and there are many memes: PTSD, tension between high and lowland peoples are those not generally mentioned) represented shine through. I wrote a review as the director sent me a link , and submitted it to the V Times who did not publish it of course, so it went up the the listserve. Its not available on the streets of Bangkok yet but soon it will be.. and the borders are porous.
The ban is an interesting contrast the Waking the Green Tiger a doco film made in China about public opposition to a dam on the upper Yangtze. The public pressure finally forced the cancellation of the project. Rather than banning the film, the government awarded it prizes and shows it in universities. It has been translated into many languages including Lao.
To each his/her own. But yours may be the most shallow of all. Here are the facts on the government’s spending in Thailand as of 2010 by regions:
A Comparative analysis of Thaksin’s wealth with the other 20 most wealthy Thai families is here: Credited to Khun Piangdin Rukthai.
Want to know how rural Thais get the taste of freedom of speech and democracy from the outside world? Check out “Spai’s Voice” in the vernacular Thai language. Enjoy…And don’t be overly sensitive. The link is here:
Under U Nu, literacy in Burma was 90 % in Burmese. Under Ne Win, it fell to 75-80 %,
and under the ‘reinvented’ Tatmadaw, it now stands no higher than 70 %. As rice production dropped in the last 50 years, infant mortality increased, crime increased, China’s domination of Burma increased, so literacy dropped 20 % in 50 years, and looks to drop some more in the years ahead, given
Burma’s ‘educational reforms’ which would be funny, if they weren’t so harmful, especially to young children, who haven’t a clue who they are, and what it means to be ‘Burmese’.
I think the point is that there has been a war against democracy going on for a long time. Whoever happens to fight for it, historically or currently, is of less importance.
One thing I’ve never figured out about these textbooks is why the level written in Burmese and the level written in English are different. On the cover of the “Geography and History” textbook shown in the first photo above, for example, it states сАРсАРсАнсАЪсАРсАФсА╣сА╕ (lit. “third grade”, but immediately below this it states in English “Grade – 4”. And this goes for each level starting with textbooks for kindergarten (сАЮсА░сАДсАЪсА╣сАРсАФсА╣сА╕) having “Grade – 1” printed on their front. Does anyone else know why this is the case?
Facebook 
Twitter 
Soundcloud 
Youtube 
Rss
The weakness of the Thai royalists
Ron #32.1.1.1.4: Actually, hundreds of Michael Yons are present at the protests.
Looks good on paper: Education reform in Burma
Wonder how someone put a thumb down here.
Highly accurate observation of literacy and educational level of people in Burma. Although U Nu himself might be simply co-incidental.
Ironically Burmese value education very highly as national characteristic. And Burmese folklore and proverbs are replete with such sentiment. And of course traditional Buddhist monasteries since well before any large scale foreign influence came about were redoubts of educational efforts accounting for such high literacy rates which is also seen among the girls, with many outstanding women, lay or as Thi-la-shin instructing religious literature to the fully ordained monks through the history.
Current decline and indeed “celebration” of ignorance is simply a predictable product of the rise, and rise and rise of the mostly illiterate military men for half a century in solidified totalitarian grip of the country. Them being rich and powerful the young have ample example to follow apart from the lack of opportunity.
Current unanimous rallying around the military with the vice grip on the country by the international communities of business people, politicians and academics will only makes things worse.
Like the now esteemed and almost fully internationally endorsed “constitution”, military knows that so long as they control the materials riches of the country and open up for the multinationals, they can simply get away with similar farcical change in all spheres of the social, political needs of the country.
The weakness of the Thai royalists
Taken from the above post #45.1. I actually thought of changing it to “Britain”, but then I decided it would be better to retain J├╕rgen’s exact wording.
Indonesia: Why you so like that wan?
A much closer parallel would be if Israel, at some point during the 1950’s, decided to name a ship the Menachem Begin and then deployed it in waters around Cyprus. (See King David Hotel bombing.) It’s not close, just closer.
Malaysia in 2014 – A perspective from Thailand
More of a rundown of the last ten years concerning events in southern Thailand and recent events in Bangkok – thought it was supposed to be about Malaysia? I would indeed speculate that if violence escalates in the Thai south, it would further complicate Bangkok politics and Thailand’s relations with Malaysia.
Area below left blank for actual insights.
Malaysia in 2014 – A perspective from Thailand
Pawin [there’s no “v” in Thai over-simplifies a few things to blame the war on Thaksin and exculpate the Democrats. Ever since PAS took over the east side of peninsular Malaysia, there were de-facto sanctuaries for Muslim insurgents there. Bangkok’s rule in the south was often a tenuous thing. 30 Years ago, PM Prem Tinsulanon and 4th Army Commander Han Linanon pulled off some adroit social engineering in the South. Muslims became district police chiefs with Colonel rank, women were allowed to wear the hijab and Muslim students were no longer required to observe Buddhist rites at schools. Effectively, there was US-style “affirmative action” for Muslims. These policies continued under Thaksin. Remember, when Democrat Chuan was PM, there were still insurgent attacks in the border provinces.
George Thomas
Looks good on paper: Education reform in Burma
#2 & #3
For all jeering at these dumb Burmese, this is true Burmese fashion of deliberate decision. There is “Thu nge dun” in Burmese schooling traditionally as Toch would certainly know and currently in force. That is taken as Grade 1.
Malaysia in 2014 – A perspective from Thailand
Thailand will have little impact on Malaysia, as Thailand, for all its corruption and occasional violence, has genuine multiple parties and elections, where parties exchange control over Thailand. Malaysia has one party that has dominated the country from its inception, and the opposition wields less influence than their Thai counterparts, particularly as the Press in Thailand is more free than in Malaysia, and Thailand, while a proud nation, does not suffer from extreme ethnocentricism as Malaysia does, where one would hardly see a Thai person threatening to behead or banish a non-ethnic Thai from Thailand. Thailand’s problems are political; Malaysia’s problems are existential racism, disharmony and religious divisiveness. Yes, Thailand has such issues in the south, but as a Surin Pitsuwan (a minority Thai Shi’a Muslim) can become a Foreign Minister in Thailand, no such opportunity exists for the non-Malay minorities in Malaysia, because the Government (UMNO) will not allow it. Reform
in Thailand is rather different than in Malaysia, where reform is slower than in Bangkok, but where also the Malaysian military is less inclined to involve itself directly in Malaysian governmental affairs, much unlike their Thai military counterparts.
Looks good on paper: Education reform in Burma
It’s because nobody responsible spotted or questioned the anomaly in kindergarten thu nge darn being designated in English grade 1 and not kindergarten rather like ground floor being designated level one so it confuses everyone.
Mind you I have heard an apartment in a building described as seventh storey sixth floor khun na-hlwa chauk htut creating a bit of confusion for some by the unnecessary elaboration.
Suthep’s romantic tale
Terrific article. An excellent parody in the style in which thai politics is conducted. Until the egregious lese majeste laws are removed Thai politics will continue to be a shadow boxing contest between blind people. The truth is that for many Thai people a soap opera is about as understandable a framework as any for the symptoms they see produced by the invisible machinations of un-nameable elites. The problem these same elites have is that, for all his substantial flaws, Mr. T and his outfit are at least visible.
Review of Isan Writers, Thai Literature
One of my many “to read books,” thank you.
Royal rain-making in the news
To John Q,
I am recently aware of Khamsing Srinawk’s work, but I never have an opportunity to read it. Is the book available on line or perhaps at the book store?
The weakness of the Thai royalists
Well, making light of this whole craziness, this made me laugh…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI4Pu0olT34
Travails of the khon dii
http://thainews.prd.go.th/centerweb/newsen/NewsDetail?NT01_NewsID=WNPOL5702270010005
Travails of the khon dii
….Four M79 grenades were fired at the Royal Thai Police Sports Club and Thai PBS television station on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road after 7pm, but no injuries were reported. The blast damaged three cars in the Thai PBS parking lot. http://thainews.prd.go.th/centerweb/newsen/NewsDetail… อาวุธและยุทโธปกรณ์สงครามพิเศษทางเรือ ….เครื่องยิงลูกระเบิดกึ่งอัตโนมัติหลายลำกล้อง Milkor M32 (ขนาด 40 มม.)
http://www.thaiarmedforce.com/inventory/…ntory.htm
http://forum.banrasdr.com/showthread.php?tid=34897
http://pantip.com/topic/31713183
Banning The Rocket
The Rocket first and foremost is a great film. Its cinemoatography, acting, soundtrack and scripting is brilliant. Its not at all a documentary nor should it be seen as one. And yes it does showcase Lao’s stunning karst landcsape but the stories (and there are many memes: PTSD, tension between high and lowland peoples are those not generally mentioned) represented shine through. I wrote a review as the director sent me a link , and submitted it to the V Times who did not publish it of course, so it went up the the listserve. Its not available on the streets of Bangkok yet but soon it will be.. and the borders are porous.
The ban is an interesting contrast the Waking the Green Tiger a doco film made in China about public opposition to a dam on the upper Yangtze. The public pressure finally forced the cancellation of the project. Rather than banning the film, the government awarded it prizes and shows it in universities. It has been translated into many languages including Lao.
The weakness of the Thai royalists
To each his/her own. But yours may be the most shallow of all. Here are the facts on the government’s spending in Thailand as of 2010 by regions:
A Comparative analysis of Thaksin’s wealth with the other 20 most wealthy Thai families is here: Credited to Khun Piangdin Rukthai.
Want to know how rural Thais get the taste of freedom of speech and democracy from the outside world? Check out “Spai’s Voice” in the vernacular Thai language. Enjoy…And don’t be overly sensitive. The link is here:
Looks good on paper: Education reform in Burma
Under U Nu, literacy in Burma was 90 % in Burmese. Under Ne Win, it fell to 75-80 %,
and under the ‘reinvented’ Tatmadaw, it now stands no higher than 70 %. As rice production dropped in the last 50 years, infant mortality increased, crime increased, China’s domination of Burma increased, so literacy dropped 20 % in 50 years, and looks to drop some more in the years ahead, given
Burma’s ‘educational reforms’ which would be funny, if they weren’t so harmful, especially to young children, who haven’t a clue who they are, and what it means to be ‘Burmese’.
The weakness of the Thai royalists
I think the point is that there has been a war against democracy going on for a long time. Whoever happens to fight for it, historically or currently, is of less importance.
Looks good on paper: Education reform in Burma
One thing I’ve never figured out about these textbooks is why the level written in Burmese and the level written in English are different. On the cover of the “Geography and History” textbook shown in the first photo above, for example, it states сАРсАРсАнсАЪсАРсАФсА╣сА╕ (lit. “third grade”, but immediately below this it states in English “Grade – 4”. And this goes for each level starting with textbooks for kindergarten (сАЮсА░сАДсАЪсА╣сАРсАФсА╣сА╕) having “Grade – 1” printed on their front. Does anyone else know why this is the case?