I do not know the book you are speaking of.
On the other hand I totally agree with your
analysis of Thai society.
I would also underline that in no circumstance a
real Thai will say NO (and will use treasures of
cirumvolutions and excuses to avoid the word or a sentence of
refusal).Also: if you are guest (whatever that means) you
must avoid sentences starting by "I really
like...something...blabla"
to you it is information, to them it is
instructions in disguise (the only that are allowed).
Let us add the general corruption from top to
bottom, a real actrive mafia (contolling politics in entire
provinces). Plus violence: Until the end of the nineties, a
hit man cost you only 250 US doll. More for public persons. A
fantastic ground for noir:HB stories.
I didn't live there but was there many many times
during 15 years, and not to play with elephants, and not in
Bangkok only.
My two bahts...
E.Borgers
Polar Noir
http://www.geocities.com/polarnoir.
Willow Arune <
pangarun@telus.net> a 飲it :
Having
spent several years in Thailand, I can say Burnett's books do
indeed describe Thai society.
Rigid? The King is "Lord of Light" and one can go to jail
(and some have) for even minor critical remarks about the
members of the royal family. Until changes in 1932, you
addressed a person with pronouns appropriate for his or her
rank and had to be precise. This carries on in Thai society
where the pecking order is rigidly maintained. "ML after a
name means a minor member of the family, and as a polygamous
group, it has many members. The palaces you see around
Bangkok are reminders of that.
Try a business meeting. No one interrupts or talks before the
chief, and no one disagrees with him either.
Willow
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