สำนักราชบัณฑิตยสภา

The Journal of the Royal Institute of Thailand Volume II - 2010 Towards A Culture of Peace in Thai Society Evading Reality Thai individuals are constantly discouraged from probing into relevant yet potentially divisive issues; rather they are admonished to remain at the surface of things - out of politeness, fear of losing face, apathy or denial. This amounts to some form of evasion of reality. Denial of reality or of unwelcome news is quasi institutionalized via the over-riding fear of losing face and dignity or of being a harbinger of unwelcome tides. One is not supposed to concern oneself much with others and their affairs. This reluctance results in another weakness, though namely the inability of slipping on the shoes of others – seeing things from their perspective. This again leads to misjudging reality and to erroneous ideas as to how the other side will feel and react to one’s own actions – potentially disastrous when fault lines have already surfaced and fatal when violent conflict has already erupted. Moreover, in line with the above, a distinct built-in hypocrisy immanent in Thai society is undeniable, such as when Thai youngsters from ‘good families’ behave at home in a traditional subdued tone and with submissive manners, however once away from prying eyes and out of parental control and amidst their friends don revealing outfits; some even display morally questionable behavior in public. Into this pattern of closing one’s eyes of denying the facts directly supports the preference for ‘face over fact’. Keeping in line with the attempt to present a violence- and conflict- free face of society social problems and vices are commonly not discussed openly. This does not mean, though, these are not present. Swept under the surface these nevertheless exist and persist throughout society: drugs and gambling of many a kind, prostitution in its various guises, even sex selling housewives and students, and various associated contagious diseases. There is further considerable hidden abuse and domestic violence within family and in society as well as business (such as towards migrants, workers and domestic servants) and a host of vulnerable single- mother households. Avoiding Confrontation Consistent with the predominance of style and form over content and substance, political discussions (at a level beyond blaming the other side or slinging verbal abuse aimed at their adversaries) are not the usual or preferred modes of expressing political opinion. (Verbal) Arguments are often substituted with rather simple codes and signs employed by the opposing sides to express aggression via ‘color’. Other examples of style being preferred to function, or form taking precedence over substance, are demeaning posters or caricatures, burning in effigy of some