Posted on 08/21/2013 7:46:22 PM PDT by TexGrill
One of Thailand's leading universities apologized in July after its students displayed a large billboard depicting Adolf Hitler among a host of comic book superheroes during graduation celebrations.
Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University expressed its "deep regret" over the painting, which appeared in July and featured Superman, Batman and the Incredible Hulk as well as the genocidal Nazi leader.
In a letter to the Simon Wiesenthal Center, the Jewish human rights and Holocaust memorial organization, the university said the students who created it were "unaware of its significance" and had received a verbal warning.
Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean of the center, questioned whether "a genocidal hate monger" was an appropriate role model for Thai young people.
"The Simon Wiesenthal Center is outraged and disgusted by this public display at Thailand's leading school of higher education," he said.
This was not the first time images of Hitler in Thailand have caused controversy and sparked outrage.
In June, a fried chicken restaurant in Thailand replaced KFC's Colonel Sanders' face with Hitler's in its logo, prompting KFC to threaten legal action against the shop. Hitler's cartoon images can also be seen on many T-shirts in Thailand.
Back in 2011, students at a high school in Chiang Mai dressed in Nazi uniforms marched in the opening ceremony of a sports meeting.
(Excerpt) Read more at globaltimes.cn ...
Who are we to cast stones at Thailand, when so many American dumbasses are wearing Che shirts.
"We were surprised to learn of the minimal attention devoted to teaching World War II history, including the Holocaust, in the Thai education system. Frankly, it is a concern for us," he said.
That's a little silly. Thais have plenty of history of their own. I doubt Israel has much historical coverage of large scale massacres suffered by other nationalities. Stuff like this only builds Thai resentment of arrogant and sanctimonious farangs.
During WWII, Thailand sided with the Axis and even declared war on the Allies. Could that be a factor?
I can’t answer this - are they glorifying him or are they mocking him?
Mel Brooks took a lot of hits for “Spring Time for Hitler”. But I understand where he was coming from.
Thailand was under duress from Japan, and occupied in all but name. I’m not sure they were enthusiastic supporters, they just went along to be left alone.
Mel Brooks was spoofing Hitler. I understood where he was coming from too. But we live in an age of political correctness and one wrong joke and you can be deemed a criminal nowadays.
Coincidentally, I just read about Thailand siding with Japan in WW2 and as mentioned, they did so pretty much under duress.
Thailand is also the only country in SE Asia to never have been colonized by Europeans.
I’ve been eyeing the Philippines as a retirement destination, but Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand) is starting to become a consideration due to the quality, affordability and availability of medical care.
My son brought back a mouse pad from China. Had a Kentucky Fried Chicken logo but with Hitler’s face replacing the colonel’s. KFC meant Kruncy Fried Citizens.
How do you tease meaning out of this? Just boggles my mind.
Yep. You'll get treated like a rodeo clown.
Isn’t Islam gaining huge ground in Thailand? There’s your answer.
I recently received a photo via email from Thailand, where a friend of mine posed between large statues of Hitler and Tojo. They must be cult heroes there?
Of course that was the point in "The Producers," to create the worse, (and most offensive,) play possible that would close the first night. Thus, all the oversold shares would be worthless and the Producers would keep the cash.
His critics said it’s too important to joke about.
He responded that it’s too important NOT to joke about.
I guess I agree with Mel.
Now again, I don’t know if these modern manifestations are jokes or what. I really don’t know what to make of it all.
right on. I was about to say womething similar...
By far the most shirts in Thailand, I see several daily.
The Tai people seems very “go along to get along” type of folks.
There is the cultural thing in Thailand to always smile even when one is really pissed off at someone.
Every damn savage in the world must know how much WE suffered!
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