Readers who never get a chance to watch Thai TV, or who otherwise don’t have much exposure to the representation of the royal family and its works, may find this selection of “We love Thailand” images instructive. I stumbled on it from a link on the Manager website.
In another well-placed Manager link I found this selection of topical merchandise. I guess for those New Mandala readers looking to join the barricades in Bangkok one of these may do the trick. There are t-shirts, polo shirts, jackets and all the rest.
Slogans include:
- I Love Ratchadamnoen University
- ลูกจีนรักชาติ (I suppose this has to be translated as “Sino-Thai loves the nation”)
- ยามเฝ้าแผ่นดิน (“Guard the land”)
- อนาคตของชาติอยู่ที่เราทุกคน (“The future of the nation rests with each of us”)
- พ่อหลวงของแผ่นดิน (“The royal father of the land”)
The overarching message is not a new one: ”We will fight for the king” (เราจะสู้เพื่อในหลวง). All proceeds (what they call “donations”) go to the “Guard the Land Foundation”.
7 responses so far ↓
1 Leif Jonsson // Aug 30, 2008 at 4:49 am
Nich, thanks for the “exposure”. If someone has time and expertise on their hands, I am really keen to know what the Chinese language says on the back of the shirt Luk-Jin Rak Chat (in graphic detail, of course).
2 roger.casas // Aug 31, 2008 at 12:25 pm
LJ,
although i´m no expert and i cannot see the complete text, i´d go for “the Thai-Chinese love Thailand” -actually it says “the Thai-Huayi”, the term “huayi” referring to persons of Chinese origin or more specifically the descendants of overseas Chinese or “huaqiao”
3 Leif Jonsson // Aug 31, 2008 at 1:58 pm
so, this is going to be some sort of thai-guo min tang? time to give the yellow emperor another chance?
4 Kate G. // Aug 31, 2008 at 2:45 pm
I’m fascinated by the selection of photos and their order on the “We Love Thailand” web site fascinating. It seems that representations have changed since I was last paying attention to this topic in the late 1990s. Very interesting about who is heavily represented — and who is not but once would have been. Also, anyone have any comment on the order of the photos?
5 Lukchin // Aug 31, 2008 at 10:22 pm
I wonder if the king still loves PAD as much as they claim to love him? I also wonder if the lukchin, who were big supporters of PAD remain that committed these days? The evidence seems to be that PAD lost the support of both groups. Their main backers now appear to be right-wing military leaders and former ISOC neo-fascists. They might also be lukchin, but the middle-class lukchin seem to be offside.
6 Nicholas Farrelly // Aug 31, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Hi Leif and Roger,
A Chinese-speaking friend of mine agrees with Roger’s translation. For reference, they break it down to:
“tai = Thai
hua = Chinese/Sino
The character “yi” means “descendent”. It is a standard character used in words such as “Huayi” (overseas Chinese) or “Meiyi” (overseas/expatriate American).
ai=love
I can only see the top half of the last character. It does appear to be “tai”, though, and this would make sense. The only question is whether there is a “guo” afterwards, which would be a more complete rendering of “Thailand”. Just having the “tai” though, is acceptable.”
——-
In my experience most ลูกจีน I know would have trouble reading this. If anyone has a chance to chat with someone wearing one of these shirts out and about in Bangkok I think many New Mandala readers would like to know more.
These shirts, and the message they proclaim, are an intriguing element of the wider story of protest, politics and belonging.
Best wishes to all,
Nich
7 Catherine // Jul 4, 2009 at 6:27 pm
The love is growing as we now have an http://ilovethailand.org and a http://ilovethailand.com too…
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