Gen Surayud said, (New PM Thailand)

As head of the government, he would supervise education and put Thai

moral values above Western values.

What does he mean? What are Thai moral values?

another farang hating PM ???????????????

For example buddhist things is to not use alchol (this I learned today). Clearly a seperating moral value! Nice one, vey good, similar to islam. All good for that.

BUT the confusing thing is: Thailand consumes 5th most of alchol per capita (I learned today). (This on the other hands tells something about how weird buddhist value relations are to reality...compare - providing and using sexual services, also something against buddhism) (This same goes to some western countries. No surprisesthere.)

And then there are the intriguing moral values and separation from western evil in (school)clothing etc. etc. Thailand has really tried to keep it's country separated from the "awful rest of the world". (Some weird things can be found from books like Very Thai)...

dannyboy: I would say - fishing votes. Being xenophobic is very easy thing to get support, in Thailand (and sadly in many other countries too).

Blaming others or smashing others is not very nice or upbuilding is it. Nothing wrong with keeping high moral values (or atleast trying to do so)...(Finland would need it too...) Way to go for "moral values"! but is it really so intelligent to bash foreigners in the process....

Abstinance from intoxicating substances falls in to the 'Right Action' catagory of the Eightfold Path which in turn is in the 'Ethical Conduct' or Sila catagory. It can seem a little contradictory, as can the Right Effort injuction of right sexual conduct, given the long concubinary tradition of much of Asia, including Thailand.

The elements of the Noble Eightfold path are intended to be followed as far as possible according to the capacity of the individual. One isn't regarded as having done anything wrong by not practicing them perfectly.

Also in the 'Sila' category is 'Right Livelihood' i.e refraining from cheating, gambling or pursueing gain with gain. Given this fact it would seem that your average workng class Thai does a better job of practicing The Eightfold Path than certain politicians.

He's definitely not a farang-hating person or xenophobic.

Thai culture does emphasize some different things than western culture does. For instance, in Thail culture, generally speaking, keeping harmony with your friends, family and community is valued more highly than being honest and/or blunt.

Moral values are not necessarily the same everywhere in the world. While there are some commanalities, there are also differences. Why would you expect the Thais not to emphasize their traditional values over Western ones?

And many Thais do feel their traditional values are being eroded and overwhelmed by a tsunami-like wave of globalization/westernization.

PM Surayud has no motivation to fish for votes. He's an interim appointed PM. I doubt he will run for office when elections are reintroduced, but you never know. But I would be my bottom dollar that's not on his mind at all in making that statement.

I also don't see that he blamed others or smashed others.

Kitchiguy: Thanks for this enlightening info! I am not familiar with those buddhist things so getting this kind of precise info is very nice. Gambling is one of the traits then too? No surprise itself... BUT, heh, Thai national lottery, yes, gambling is not as bad as alcohol (this was mentioned now in the news connected to the alcholo law...well, it is always tiptoing between religious moral values and the actual laws governments try to enforce and keep up. Hard job. )

Loburt: definetly traditional values are respected and uphold. But the reality is sometimes contrasted so funnily. And no, moral values are not the same, but very very close: compare what Kitchiguy wrote - the same things in buddhism are "banned" or "not recommended" as in western moral values, but still in both places you se unfortunatly huge differences ("keeping up the appearances").

And for the rest of the comment was not about what PM said, but just general observation when politicians think for next elections (ref: democrats vs. republicans currently in USA)...How everyone blames others, and in Thai way, manytimes blame has gone for the evil outsiders (and the opposing party ofcourse too lol)

ps. And sometimes forcefully enforcing "old traditional values" against the reality, leads to negative results along the way. This has happened many times especially when governments and moral gatekeepers try to fight against sexual freedoms and changes in sexual habbits. Compare actions in preventing or toning done sexual education, availability of condoms and so on in the name of "traditional values". This happens both in Thailand (funny examples in banning certain condoms because of their name makes young people have sex ROFLMAO) or USA certain states and schools banning certain aspects of sex ed, resulting much higher teen pregnancy and STDs....(But all this is a away from the original posting )