Thailand’s Tragic Death Toll on the Roads -part one

The Thai élite won’t discuss or adopt foreign advice and solutions.

I would list THREE main reasons why Thailand has such a high death toll on its roads, and a higher than world average traffic accident record. Deeper analysis shows that there are 3 cultural reasons for this appalling outcome: low national educational standards, sub-standard road infrastructure, and lack of effective police enforcement of the rules.

We discuss low educational standards here in part one. Sub-standard road infrastructure and lack of effective police enforcement of the rules are highlighted in part two.

A driving centre in Thailand. There is no “on the road” testing.

Low national education standards.

Some background information.

In the Sukhothai period (1238 to 1378), only boys of the élite received any form of education, and that to minimum standards. Commoners were taught, if at all, by the local monks who were not trained teachers.

In more recent times, education in Thailand is controlled by the government. Even privately owned schools have to follow the Ministry of Education diktats. They must, for example, include weekly lessons on the Thai language and culture, and again, the schools must teach the cultural values in the way that the government sees them. More of that later.

Changes in education policy are frequent. Ministers in the education department serve for only 9months on average, making it impossible for long-term plans to be implemented. Thais, in general, want to avoid conflict and loss of Face whenever possible. To avoid being criticised, it’s therefore common for there to be lots of talk but not lots of action.

Rote learning is practiced throughout Thailand, resulting in pupils and students being extremely good at memorising what they are being told but being unable to think or comment about it. Students cannot, therefore, relate to the concepts being taught or think rationally.

Thai students walking to school to be subject to rote learning and government propaganda.

Thailand ranks 46th in world league tables, and only 94% of the population is literate. Outside Bangkok and for ethnic minorities, the figures are worse. I know people from the hill tribes who cannot read or write Thai or English but can converse in those languages in order to sell on street markets.

The country is short of Maths and Science teachers but has an excess of physical education instructors who are paid the same salaries.

The values that Prayut wants to instill in all Thai children.

General Prayut Chanocha, the former coup leader and 29th prime minister of Thailand, and now President of the King’s Privy Council, introduced 12 values for children to follow in July 2014, just two months after the successful coup d’état.

1.Loyalty to Nation, the Buddhist Religion, and the Monarchy.

The red, white, and blue of the Thai flag represents the Nation, the Religion, and the King.

2.Teaching Honesty, Sacrifice, and Endurance.

3.Gratitude to Parents and Teachers.

Pupils making the wai to their teachers on teachers’ day in Thailand.

4.Being Keen to Learn.

Anyone who has taught in a Thai school, or has observed how students chat amongst themselves, or play with their phones during lessons may disagree.

Carol Hollinger, in her excellent book on Thai lifestyle, Mai Pen Rai Means Never Mind, referred to her students holding “committee meetings” during her lectures at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, discussing amongst themselves how she should discipline an unruly student.

No-one fails an exam in Thailand. It would result in loss of Face to the student and his parents. A teacher will coach or provide suggested answers. I’ve observed this myself and Hollinger gave an example in her book.

Students receiving their degrees at Thammasart University, Bangkok. There was a military presence on campus on this occasion.

5.Preserving Thai Customs and Traditions.

6.Respect for Others, especially Elders.

We have to observe this in context. Thais do not believe all men are created equal. Bangkokians consider they are better than those in other provinces. And everyone thinks they are better than hill-tribe people and foreigners. In practice, the rules of respect, Napteuh, are not always observed. A wai or a smile doesn’t always mean respect.

7.Remembering that Thailand is a constitutional elected democracy with the King as the non-political head of state.

Elected politicians often find themselves unable to complete their democratic mandates and are removed from office by military coups on technical breaches of conduct. The coup leaders who then take office are pardoned.

8.Respect for Law.

Thai government attempting to stop police taking bribes from motorists.

Thais have no respect for the police or the slow Thai justice system. Paying to avoid fines is commonplace. Corruption is routinely seen as part of one’s salary in Thailand. Cash under the counter, or given openly, is the way to get things done.

9.Practice good deeds, as taught by His Majesty the King.

10.Accept the Self-Sufficiency concept.

A farmer looks to the sky as there’s no rain for planting his crops. Self-sufficiency as opposed to engaging in mutually beneficial international trade is not a sustainable solution.

11.Gain physical and mental strength, and refuse to give in to religious sins.

12. Nation is more important than self.

The Royal Thai Army runs the “Land Defender Battalion” where kids from the age of 4 years of age crawl under netting and are taught to salute by soldiers.

Young children being taught to become soldiers.

Training in the adult division of the Land Defender Battalion.