Army ‘brainwashing’

Ms Zilli makes excellent points in her July 16 article Re: Hey — teacher — leave them kids alone”. The century-old Victorian model of education based on respect, autonomy and self-discipline has been distorted and abused around the world. In the Thai context, the command, control, and “brainwashing” of innocent students is rooted in its history of military-led coups and authoritarian regimes. Those in charge of running the educational system under military rule have used Thai culture as a detergent to whitewash all the weaknesses of the system. The free-thinking and urge for the inquiry have been replaced by regimen, routines, dress code and hollow rituals. In addition, distorted implementation of Buddha’s teachings combined with indoctrination have created a docile society. The results are obvious — Thai students grow up with a cultural halo over their heads, never inquiring or challenging authority or the command and control exerted by the adults.

By the way, Thailand is not alone in its efforts to command and control the inquiring minds. Most of the Asian countries with militaristic and authoritarian regimes have used the educational system to suppress and create a subservient society. Salman Rushdie put it well: “The moment you declare a set of ideas to be immune from criticism, satire, derision, or contempt, freedom of thought becomes impossible.”

KULDEEP NAGI