I 100% disagree with the notion that leaders should be respected and loved simply because they are political leaders. In fact, they should be subject to even harsher criticism than others just to ensure that they are worthy of being leaders of their country.
I'm appalled that the bulk of the messages here show a complete lack of respect for Thai culture, and an almost total unfamiliarity with same. I assume the majority have also been written by people who have never been to Thailand (most Americans don't travel; they seem to feel that if they can't see it in in the states, it's not worth seeing). Those with no concept of that culture, much less of royalty, are amazingly quick to criticize same, and apparently loathe to expend any effort in understanding it.
King Bhumibol has been quite an excellent king, and has earned the respect he has. He has done much to improve Thailand, and has represented an enormous stabilizing factor. So many of those in the countryside pray to past kings, and statues of same can be found everywhere. They are, then, "gods." King Bhumibol is very nearly a living god, then, and "the hope of the people." He is Thailand -- He is the nation itself, and the reason the Thai people can hold their heads high. Very nearly a living "Jesus," and the west has nothing quite like him (I can think of no US president who even comes close). When you denegrate the king, you denegrate Thailand.
As for the coup -- the king, having reigned for half a century, has survived multiple coups. This has nothing to do with that.
The bulk of the messages here criticize either the Thai King, Thailand, or the Thai people (some of the most kind and decent people I've ever known), with little or no effort to understand or appreciate. The messages discussing prostitution and "sex with children" fit right in. I assure you that the majority of the Thai people are quite tired of this attitude. Women there don't much care for the fact that if they go out shopping and are at all nicely dressed, they're invariably offered money for sex by foreigners. You want to have sex with children? Try San Francisco, LA, or New York. I'm sure it happens there as well, available through the same kind of criminal network offering it wherever it is.
Me? A white guy, born in the USA. With a decided preference for living in Thailand, for reasons readily apparent in the messages above: while quickly demonstrating an almost inbred ignorance, Americans nonetheless insist on imposing their standards worldwide. Most demonstrate no more respect for the Thai people (nor any other) than the bubble-gum blowing blondes who walk into a Subway and then make fun of their sandwich maker's accent and appearance. No doubt, I'll receive "Nhya Nhya" replies from many such persons.
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Go there. Then post again.
I'm appalled that the bulk of the messages here show a complete lack of respect for Thai culture, and an almost total unfamiliarity with same. I assume the majority have also been written by people who have never been to Thailand (most Americans don't travel; they seem to feel that if they can't see it in in the states, it's not worth seeing). Those with no concept of that culture, much less of royalty, are amazingly quick to criticize same, and apparently loathe to expend any effort in understanding it.
King Bhumibol has been quite an excellent king, and has earned the respect he has. He has done much to improve Thailand, and has represented an enormous stabilizing factor. So many of those in the countryside pray to past kings, and statues of same can be found everywhere. They are, then, "gods." King Bhumibol is very nearly a living god, then, and "the hope of the people." He is Thailand -- He is the nation itself, and the reason the Thai people can hold their heads high. Very nearly a living "Jesus," and the west has nothing quite like him (I can think of no US president who even comes close). When you denegrate the king, you denegrate Thailand.
As for the coup -- the king, having reigned for half a century, has survived multiple coups. This has nothing to do with that.
The bulk of the messages here criticize either the Thai King, Thailand, or the Thai people (some of the most kind and decent people I've ever known), with little or no effort to understand or appreciate. The messages discussing prostitution and "sex with children" fit right in. I assure you that the majority of the Thai people are quite tired of this attitude. Women there don't much care for the fact that if they go out shopping and are at all nicely dressed, they're invariably offered money for sex by foreigners. You want to have sex with children? Try San Francisco, LA, or New York. I'm sure it happens there as well, available through the same kind of criminal network offering it wherever it is.
Me? A white guy, born in the USA. With a decided preference for living in Thailand, for reasons readily apparent in the messages above: while quickly demonstrating an almost inbred ignorance, Americans nonetheless insist on imposing their standards worldwide. Most demonstrate no more respect for the Thai people (nor any other) than the bubble-gum blowing blondes who walk into a Subway and then make fun of their sandwich maker's accent and appearance. No doubt, I'll receive "Nhya Nhya" replies from many such persons.
Jeez...