BANGKOK
A film commissioned by the Thai prime minister to enforce his 12 moral values has created a stir in the country. Outside of emphasizing love for the monarchy and deference to authority, it shows a young child applauding Adolf Hitler.
Posted on YouTube - with credits underlining support from junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha and several ministers - “30” was suddenly pulled after a flurry of comments criticizing a scene appearing to show reverence to the man held responsible for the death of 6 million Jews.
Director Kulp Kaljaruek pleaded innocence to Thai news website Khaosod this week, saying he had not intended to make any statement about Hitler's Nazi regime.
“I didn’t think [the inclusion of Hitler’s scene] would be an issue,” he said, attempting to underline that the use of the image was purely to emphasize that the child is "spoilt" and "wealthy."
"Hitler is the character of this child. He has always been ‘number one’ and he is selfish," he added.
"Hitler is also a ‘number one’ in a bad way. He was good at persuading a lot of people, but he refused to listen to the majority.”
In the controversial movie - shown for free in Thai cinemas across the country Dec. 5 in honor of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 87th birthday - a scene depicts a child drawing a portrait of Hitler during art class while another stands applauding.
The movie - to illustrate the value of “love for democracy” - is billed as a story of friendship and acceptance between two school friends.
Colonel Sansern Kaewkumnerd, spokesman for the prime minister office, told reporters this week that a busy schedule had meant that he had not found time to seen the movie.
“It may have been intended to say that democracy has good and bad sides,” he underlined when asked about Hitler's role.
Insensitive use of Nazi symbols and Hitler’s image is frequent in Thailand. In the capital Bangkok, clothing stores sell popular T-shirts emblazoned with images of the German dictator in the guise of Ronald McDonald, a Teletubby or a military Panda.
Critics of the fashion for Nazi imagery have underlined, however, that most consumers have no understanding of Hitler's notoriety and solely wear them because of the colorful imagery.
But not all use of Nazi regalia can be blamed on fashion naïveté. In 2011, foreign tourists were reported to be "aghast" when pupils at a Catholic school in Thailand’s northern province of Chiang Mai were dressed in Nazi uniforms and swastika armbands for a sports day parade.
Despite the costumes reportedly being received well locally, the school apologized and promised to strengthen its history curriculum.
The Thai history curriculum was placed under further scrutiny in again July 2013, when a banner was hoisted outside the country's most prestigious academic institution - Chulalongkorn University - featuring Hitler giving a Nazi salute alongside comic book superheroes Batman and The Incredible Hulk.
After a wave of criticism, the dean of the school's art department apologized, explaining that "ignorant students" painted the banner, unaware that it could offend others.
Junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha is attempting to enforce his 12 core values in an effort to clean up a society he sees as having lost its way. They include fresh dictums of love for King Bhumibol and unquestioning loyalty to the royal establishment, which includes swathes of the Bangkok-based elite, the military and their various hangers-on.
The first commandment reads: "Adore the nation, religion, and His Majesty the King" - considered the three pillars of Thai society.
Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFu5whDYq-Q#t=10
www.aa.com.tr/en
