As it does on a seemingly regular basis, Thailand’s protest season has started up again. As of today, the prime minister is in an unstable position and facing threats and calls for her to step down; boisterous, abusive mobs on both sides of the political divide are making threats to individuals and sometimes even attacking them for completely fabricated reasons; mobs have stormed several government ministries; and there’s a general air of uneasiness and behind-closed-door-edness in the air. This kind of thing has been going on for years now, and used to really upset me. I used to stress myself out and get into arguments and lose sleep wondering what the next day would hold – I spent a lot of time worrying about the future of Thailand. However, after about 10 years of this, I learned a simple way to deal with it. Very simple.
Are you ready? Here it is: I stopped caring.
This may seem a bit ignorant at first, but let me be clear: I didn’t stop caring for Thailand or its culture or its people; I still have a great deal of interest in how things turn out, and if the leaders of both sides said “This isn’t worth it, let’s go back to the negotiating table” I’d be ecstatic – I mean over the fucking moon. I love Thailand and consider it my home – I want prosperity and success for everyone here, and I want the country to emerge as the ASEAN leader that it’s gotten so close to becoming. But after years of one step forward/one step back, I realized that the only way to really avoid stressing myself out about the constant political infighting was to just stop caring about any of it.
The conversation surrounding the political problems hasn’t changed much in 10 years, and come to think of it, it’s pretty similar in any country with roiling political upsets – the breathtaking hypocrisy, the asinine justifications for absolutely abhorrent behavior, and the fact that most of the civilized world is looking in this direction, shaking its head wondering how such magnificent potential could be wasted so thoroughly. I met – and continue to meet – a large number of people with a “bug-out kit” ready to go at a moment’s notice, willing to cut all ties to Thailand and never look back. Back then, as today, I constantly have to reassure friends and family that I am alright. Back then, as today, I see two groups that look at their opposition and don’t see a counterweight to keep the political scale in check, but a group that is wrong. And not only wrong – wrong and out to destroy the country, and therefore, must be destroyed. The shirt colors may change, but the adjectives used to describe what’s going on never do. It’s a vicious cycle that’s been played out countless times before, and neither side ever wins.
And note that I’m not taking sides here. I’m not blaming any particular policy or politician or political party – only the methods that have been, are, and (I’m sure) will be used to fight them. It’s not hard to imagine how keeping up with this stuff would give anyone heartburn.
Anyway, a few years ago, in a rare moment of clarity, I realized that no matter how much I care, or worry, or yell, or argue; no matter how stressed out I get or what opinions I have – it will make precisely zero difference to the outcome. Foreigners in Thailand sometimes complain that we’ll always be on the outside of Thai society looking in, never really accepted no matter how well we integrate, but in this case – for me – this is a positive thing. From my perspective, as a guy with a normal job and a fairly boring, regular life, these never-ending protests are largely a Thai problem that can only be solved by Thais, be it through violence or diplomacy or some combination of both. Nothing I say or do will have any affect whatsoever, so I decided simply to remove my emotional stake in the game.
Note that I said from my perspective. I realize some might think me lazy or ignorant or ungrateful, and that’s fine. I have great respect for the journalists, photographers, writers and business leaders who are doing what they can to keep things calm and within the realms of sanity. But everyone handles crises in their own way, and this is mine.
Strangely, I think that my decision not to care is an optimistic attitude to take. Unlike others who have bug-out bags ready to go, I don’t, and never will. Thailand is my home, and no matter how bad things get, I believe they will get better. I believe that once the anger and venom has been depleted, Thais will look around and realize that the only one suffering here is Thailand. It’s certainly not the first country to go through this, and it certainly won’t be the last.
/rant
As usual a good post and nice perspective Greg. Sad to see Thailand going through this (again) and this time heading down a potentially very dangerous road I think. My fingers are crossed for a kingdom I to love so much.
Hello Greg,
I read your blog regularly and really enjoy and appreciate your writing.
My first trip to Thailand was in 87 when I spent just over six months there. I’ve been back six times over the years, but sadly the next trip for me is not on the visible horizon. I’m sure you hear it from farangs all the time, but I love the place and people deeply and miss it. I follow the news from here (Canada) and get all twisted up by the prospect of Thais pushing themselves and their country to such an awful precipice.
Please keep on sharing your perspective. I understand you are bound to feel limited in the extent to which you can share your views online. Peter (p.s. really miss the podcast)
Thanks Peter! I really hope it improves, and everyone realizes that no one will be the winner on the current course.