[FailiaFelay]

Govt plans culture booklet for foreigners

The Nation, Published on Sep 12, 2004

The Ministry of Culture plans to launch a "Do and Don't" booklet for foreigners to learn about Thai culture before coming to the country.

After recent cases such as the poster of the movie "Hollywood Buddha" showing director Philippe Caland sitting atop of a Buddha statue's head and the Buddha labels on wine bottles of a Chinese company, the ministry has come up with the project to educate foreigners.

Kla Somtrakool, deputy permanent secretary at the ministry, said the booklet would tell foreigners what they can and cannot do in Thai society. He said that the booklets would be distributed to hotels, travel agencies, airline booths, consulates and the Immigration Bureau.

"If some foreigners still behave with malicious intentions, Thai Buddhists should denounce these people or not allow them to enter the country. For instance, foreigners should learn that the head is the most sacred part of the body and younger people are not allowed to touch older people's heads," Kla said.

He said that after the project receives approval from the minister and permanent secretary, the ministry would set up a committee to study the booklet's contents, particularly regarding the topics of offending the religion, insulting Thai women and smuggling of ancient objects.

Kla added that if foreigners really do not know about Thai culture, they could be forgiven. However, someone who understands the culture but still behaves improperly - perhaps for a business advantage - should not be allowed to enter the country. He said that he would ask the Foreign Affairs Ministry to consider not giving visas to foreigners who have condemned the country or burned the Thai national flag. He has already consulted with the Department of Information, which is responsible for the country's public relations.

Chong Wongkhan, vice president of the Senate committee on education, religion, arts and culture, said the committee and the Ministry of Culture had discussed the project and believed that the booklet could prevent foreigners from disparaging Buddhism.

Chong added that the committee had discussed the proposed booklet with the Foreign Affairs Ministry, who agreed to blacklist foreigners from entering the country as a punishment for previous indiscretions.