Comments on: “We love Thailand”

By: Catherine

Catherine — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 07:27:29 +0000

The love is growing as we now have an http://ilovethailand.org and a http://ilovethailand.com too…

By: Nicholas Farrelly

Nicholas Farrelly — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 11:36:48 +0000

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

By: Lukchin

Lukchin — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 11:22:51 +0000

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.

By: Kate G.

Kate G. — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 03:45:26 +0000

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?

By: Leif Jonsson

Leif Jonsson — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 02:58:31 +0000

so, this is going to be some sort of thai-guo min tang? time to give the yellow emperor another chance?

By: roger.casas

roger.casas — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 01:25:50 +0000

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”

By: Leif Jonsson

Leif Jonsson — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:49:38 +0000

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).