absolutelyBangkok archive · Being farang
Originally published March 13, 2009
Moralizing again: One of the most commonly used words in Thai politics is the word “deny” in all its forms and variations. In the most typical use of the word wrongdoings are denied, while Thailand’s higher-ups even denied the maltreatment of Rohingya boat refugees without batting an eye, even though there was ample proof of outright lies.
To be able to deny is an essential part of being a public figure in Thailand. Most often you’re more busy denying accusations than being constructively engaged for the betterment of the nation and society. Under favorable circumstances, wearing the correct color of a shirt, you can even deny that you’re a violent thug.
Not being a gifted denier automatically lessens one’s chances of succeeding as a figure of prominence in Thailand, as there’s hardly a leader left who is not bothered by annoying court cases or some libel suit. But how about you? As a kid I assume you were taught the values of right and wrong, the accuracy of the words yes and no — and the moral implications of misusing them.
I mean, there’s commonly no gray area left when you’re using the words yes and no. But over the years living in Thailand you make the bittersweet experience that a yes is not necessarily a yes and that a no by no means has to mean no. The culture of denying, in turn, has to be understood in this context of Thai people’s quite flexible usage of facts as a matter of fact.
The language of signs is more important than the actual precision of words. Observe a person, listen to the sound of the voice, the body language, hidden signals — and you may understand way better than simply listening to words.
Which can be a very freeing experience. Or you tell me, has your moral framework remained solid as a rock over the years in Thailand? Or you’ve become slightly more flexible dealing with correctness, punctuality, honesty, reliability and such? Or still feel guilty for being five minutes too late for an appointment?
Or you’re not even allergic to white lies any longer?
Open up, relax, hang loose. Give this flexible culture of denying a try. Make your own laws, as strangely as they spin, the law of the world.
You’ll be able to rebut accusations with ease. And your adopted country is much more easily understood.
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