Today I read in the newspaper that some Thai resident got sentenced to 10 years of incarceration. That is what one gets in the Netherlands when one kills someone. In Thailand however, it suffices to INSULT THE KING for that.
Now I was in Thailand once a few years ago, and one thing that struck me was the total disregard for life the people have in that country. Firstly, the only animals I saw in the wild were a very nervous rat, fleeing from the kitchen of a restaurant, and a scrawny, hairless dog which had taken residence in a garbage bin just outside Kanchanaburi. Both were – even to Thai standards – too repelling to be eaten.
Another thing that surfaced even before I went to Thailand, and also when I was long back again, was the very bad image the medical sector in that country has. The last thing you want is to end up in a Thai hospital, even if you are in great need of medical attention. If your problem doesn’t kill you, the doctors will, especially if they have a paying customer for one of your kidneys. Or for both, of course.
I know of people who flew home with broken limbs, to have them repaired in a European hospital. They had broken those limbs in the very dangerous Thai traffic, renowned for its high casualty rate. I imagine it is even worse than in Turkey, which is one of the worst countries – traffic wise – of Europe.
The brochure I leafed through in the aeroplane on my way to Bangkok, and even the Lonely Planet, had already warned me to not ever say anything awkward about the Thai king, Bhumibol, in public. The royal house is regarded virtually sacred in Thailand by most Thai. And insulting the king, as is manifesting itself regularly in the press nowadays, can cost one very dearly.
Regarding royalty as god-sent and mandated by god him- or herself to rule over the people, whom they have cleverly conned out of their self governance to begin with, was a hip thing in the middle ages in Europe. Apparently this is still the case in that Land of the Eternal Smile in South-East Asia. Whatever the rationale for such an idiotic mass attitude, I find it very hard to swallow.
I have had second (and third, fourth and fifth) thoughts about Thailand already for a long time. Now I am getting indications that it is still very far behind us in their pursuit of social and cultural development. (That is, IF they actually pursue this…) From what I saw there myself, this doesn’t surprise me one bit. If one looks around on this planet, then one can see for oneself that any nation holding its leaders in an unnaturally high esteem, is doomed to remain backwards and underdeveloped. Such is indeed the case with Thailand.
Well, good luck with your king, my dear Thai. You won’t ever see me again in your silly, filth ridden country, with you precious Back-Packer infested Bangkok. Not that you will ever care, but who knows, maybe the world will get wiser one day, and tourists might start avoiding Thailand. Fat chance, I think, because there are still hordes of people who are going to Burma as well. Speaking of a hellhole…
