{"id":56184,"date":"2014-12-11T10:10:25","date_gmt":"2014-12-11T08:10:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nationalturk.com\/en\/?p=56184"},"modified":"2014-12-11T10:10:25","modified_gmt":"2014-12-11T08:10:25","slug":"thailand-utilizes-nazi-image-to-enforce-love-of-nation-56184","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nationalturk.com\/en\/thailand-utilizes-nazi-image-to-enforce-love-of-nation-56184\/","title":{"rendered":"Thailand utilizes Nazi image to enforce love of nation"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Propaganda movie pulled after criticism of scene that appears to show reverence to man held responsible for death of 6 million Jews.<\/h1>\n

A film commissioned by the Thai prime minister to enforce his 12 moral values has created a stir in the country. Outside of emphasizing love for the monarchy and deference to authority, it shows a young child applauding Adolf Hitler.<\/p>\n

Posted on YouTube – with credits underlining support from junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha and several ministers – \u201c30\u201d was suddenly pulled after a flurry of comments criticizing a scene appearing to show reverence to the man held responsible for the death of 6 million Jews.<\/p>\n

Director Kulp Kaljaruek pleaded innocence to Thai news website Khaosod this week, saying he had not intended to make any statement about Hitler’s Nazi regime.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t think [the inclusion of Hitler\u2019s scene] would be an issue,\u201d he said, attempting to underline that the use of the image was purely to emphasize that the child is “spoilt” and “wealthy.”<\/p>\n

“Hitler is the character of this child. He has always been \u2018number one\u2019 and he is selfish,” he added.<\/p>\n

“Hitler is also a \u2018number one\u2019 in a bad way. He was good at persuading a lot of people, but he refused to listen to the majority.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the controversial movie – shown for free in Thai cinemas across the country Dec. 5 in honor of King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 87th birthday – a scene depicts a child drawing a portrait of Hitler during art class while another stands applauding.<\/p>\n

The movie – to illustrate the value of \u201clove for democracy\u201d – is billed as a story of friendship and acceptance between two school friends.<\/p>\n

Colonel Sansern Kaewkumnerd, spokesman for the prime minister office, told reporters this week that a busy schedule had meant that he had not found time to seen the movie.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt may have been intended to say that democracy has good and bad sides,\u201d he underlined when asked about Hitler’s role.<\/p>\n

Insensitive use of Nazi symbols and Hitler\u2019s image is frequent in Thailand. In the capital Bangkok, clothing stores sell popular T-shirts emblazoned with images of the German dictator in the guise of Ronald McDonald, a Teletubby or a military Panda.<\/p>\n

Critics of the fashion for Nazi imagery have underlined, however, that most consumers have no understanding of Hitler’s notoriety and solely wear them because of the colorful imagery.<\/p>\n

But not all use of Nazi regalia can be blamed on fashion na\u00efvet\u00e9. In 2011, foreign tourists were reported to be “aghast” when pupils at a Catholic school in Thailand\u2019s northern province of Chiang Mai were dressed in Nazi uniforms and swastika armbands for a sports day parade.<\/p>\n

Despite the costumes reportedly being received well locally, the school apologized and promised to strengthen its history curriculum.<\/p>\n

The Thai history curriculum was placed under further scrutiny in again July 2013, when a banner was hoisted outside the country’s most prestigious academic institution – Chulalongkorn University – featuring Hitler giving a Nazi salute alongside comic book superheroes Batman and The Incredible Hulk.<\/p>\n

After a wave of criticism, the dean of the school’s art department apologized, explaining that “ignorant students” painted the banner, unaware that it could offend others.<\/p>\n

Junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha is attempting to enforce his 12 core values in an effort to clean up a society he sees as having lost its way. They include fresh dictums of love for King Bhumibol and unquestioning loyalty to the royal establishment, which includes swathes of the Bangkok-based elite, the military and their various hangers-on.<\/p>\n

The first commandment reads: “Adore the nation, religion, and His Majesty the King” – considered the three pillars of Thai society.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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