Topic: Thewpaingarm School in Bangkok

[Thai Me Up]

Why not explain why you believe that the admins actions in making the sarasas letter public, was not not street smart because it put a well known (to sarasas) teacher at risk, but fully believe that your putting yjis schools story and pics on worldwide read blogs does.

BTW thanks for yet another belly laugh!

I did not publish the pics on this thread, but I did thank the publisher...that took guts on his part.  I did not put any pics on worldwide read blogs either; that's a mistaken conclusion you've jumped to.

As for the other matter, I haven't seen retiredstillteaching thank TW yet for open-airing the matter between himself and the school in question.  I think if TW ever truly aspired to be a teacher advocacy site - which it isn't, based on the level of censorship exercised on this forum against teachers - then the publication of the director's letter WITHOUT FIRST CONSULTING THE AFFCTED TEACHER was extremely poor judgment.  If you've ever been in a management vs. staff tug-of-war over any issue, you'd understand what I'm saying.  Publicizing the private letter to TW on the other thread was like waving a red flag in front of a bull.  But TW attached a red flag to retiredstillteaching's backside without letting him know before TW shoved him in the bull ring to fend for himself.

[CosmicSurfer]

It's hard to believe the amount of sympathizers of this thread. You know the one's, "they're only children, and don't know what they're doing." Yes, they do. Many know perfectly well, and are not ashamed to admit it. It's a shame that this school with "educated staff" would allow any of this to happen in the first place. This thread will probably be edited since it contains a link to a Bangkok student's web-page. Anyway, here it is:

http://hi5.com/friend/photos/displayPhotoUser.do?photoId=770681783&ownerId=153497891

This link was sent to me by one of my students asking why another 13-year old student would use "such a evil person" on his web-page. They know perfectly well.

So don't sit back.. Report this kid to the Site Operators.. Hi5 is operated out of San Fransisco,  CA.. in the uSA.

They have clear policy in their "Terms of Use". This is the "Abuse Report", quoting their policy that I just sent to there Moderators...

You should do the same.. All of the members here should do it.. Can't change attitudes in Thailand.. But sure can get some action in the States for this problem. Here is the link to the Abuse Report Page.. Click "Send email to hi5" at Bottom of Page"
http://server.iad.liveperson.net/hc/s-16238773/cmd/kbresource/kb-3682846936204408585/view_question!PAGETYPE?sc=13&sf=101133&documentid=239384&action=view

This is the complaint I filed:

The page refered to has been posted by a 13-yer old boy from Bangkok, The page refered to has been posted by a 13-yer old boy, named Panuwat from Bangkok, Thailand and contains Photos of Swastikas and Adolf Hitler. Thailand and contains Photos of Swastikas and Adolf Hitler.

Under your "Terms of Sevice" copied Below, This a Clear violation against posting Offensive, racist and hateful content.

Please take appropriate action immediately.
Thank you,
(Insert your name here).
---------------
Prohibited Content includes Content that:

              (a) is patently offensive to the online community, such as Content that promotes racism, bigotry, hatred or physical harm of any kind against any group or individual;

A Small step for Mankind...
CS

[RobRoy]

As for the other matter, I haven't seen retiredstillteaching thank TW yet for open-airing the matter between himself and the school in question.  I think if TW ever truly aspired to be a teacher advocacy site - which it isn't, based on the level of censorship exercised on this forum against teachers - then the publication of the director's letter WITHOUT FIRST CONSULTING THE AFFCTED TEACHER was extremely poor judgment.  If you've ever been in a management vs. staff tug-of-war over any issue, you'd understand what I'm saying.  Publicizing the private letter to TW on the other thread was like waving a red flag in front of a bull.  But TW attached a red flag to retiredstillteaching's backside without letting him know before TW shoved him in the bull ring to fend for himself.

TMU there are several threads going in other sections of the forum that addresses these issues.  Please post there. Express your opinions on the administration of the forum in the proper place.  Go forth and post!

As to the rest of the quoted topic, I want to comment on that as well...did the admins contact Namtok?  Should the letter have been kept quiet?  Do I or you know what TW did to help poor ole Namtok?   Post these questions on the appropriate thread and leave this thread to continue the discussion of the topic school.

Keep it on topic.  You'll get more discussion in the proper place than posting on the wrong thread. 

[smilingnow]

Cosmic surfer:

Thanks for the warning.  You're right that they could jump to the wrong conclusion and hear it negatively.  When I deliver my speech, it will have to be 'dumbed down' English (as usual).  I will be careful to use phrases such as... 'the bad Nazis wanted to hurt the wonderful King, can you imagine that?? after all he has done to help his people those evil Nazis would have wanted to hurt him!' and... 'evil Nazis did not like the kind Thai people'.  Maybe I will finish the speech with 'how tolerant the Thai people are and how intolerant the Nazis were so let's keep Thailand the peace loving nation that it has always been and continue to be a kind people'.  Sucking up?  maybe, but I've been here long enough to know you have to sugar the medicine liberally.  (I think question number 3 will have to be dropped though.) 

As long as they understand that Nazis were bad news, even for them, then my task will be achieved.  Who knows maybe the kids will stop wearing the swastikas for a few hours.

Incidentally, I have an excellent relationship with the school and staff and they all expect me to speak well about Thailand as they know I love the country (mostly).  They won't be listening for any evil farang teacher agenda so as long as I'm not foolish with my choice of wording I should be OK.

Thanks again for the warning though.  If anyone thinks I'm being naive idealist fool, stop me now before it's too late!

FF. (a poor mans Lenin)

[smilingnow]

One more thing.

Check this link and click on 'Louise and the Nazis'.  Very interesting documentary for those who think Nazism is a thing of the past.

http://tv-links.co.uk/listings/9/1376

FF. 

[Sadly-confused]

There is a great deal of truth in what you say, RR. However the underlying ethic of this site is teacher friendliness, sadly, TMU’s actions in placing the story out into different media may well have put teachers at risk. That has been the underlying trust of my posts on this thread over the last few days.

[Thai Me Up]

Cosmic surfer:

You're right that they could jump to the wrong conclusion and hear it negatively.  When I deliver my speech, it will have to be 'dumbed down' English (as usual).  I will be careful to use phrases such as... 'the bad Nazis wanted to hurt the wonderful King, can you imagine that?? after all he has done to help his people those evil Nazis would have wanted to hurt him!' and... 'evil Nazis did not like the kind Thai people'. 

As long as they understand that Nazis were bad news, even for them, then my task will be achieved.  Who knows maybe the kids will stop wearing the swastikas for a few hours.

...

If anyone thinks I'm being naive idealist fool, stop me now before it's too late!

FF. (a poor mans Lenin)

smilingnow, I think you are a rational person who understands the risk that if your audience hears you selectively, the bits and pieces may combine to reflect poorly on you.  However, having said that, I believe you also work at a special school and have a special relationship with that school.  I find it both unusual and remarkable that you are expected to deliver a weekly speech in English.  Since you (and I and several others on this forum) feel strongly about this issue, it is completely appropriate for you to address Nazism in the context of the recent Thewpaingarm school rally, unacceptable fashion, and misplaced hero worship.  By taking these risks rather than hiding in the shadows of "what's the use?, This Is Thailand, why make a fuss?", you will truly be fulfilling your role as educator, not just a token white face on the staff.

Share your planned speech with trusted colleagues and let them voice any concerns about references to the King BEFORE you make the speech, okay?

 

[Sadly-confused]

I did not publish the pics on this thread, but I did thank the publisher...that took guts on his part.  I did not put any pics on worldwide read blogs either; that's a mistaken conclusion you've jumped to.

An entirely justified conclusion given your statement in post #56:

I'm circulating the pics appearing on this thread among my media contacts.  If they want to pick up the ball and run with it, they can.  I think the teachers who stood idly by while the students prepared Nazi costumes, Nazi banners, Nazi paraphernalia and Nazi dance routines are cowards.  Any excuses offered on the students' behalf (i.e., "it was a fashion statement") or lame duck teachers are cop-outs.

Looks like they did pick up the ball, looks like they contacted the school, I can only wonder how many farang teachers will get blamed for this fiasco, maybe time will tell!

[Thai Me Up]

So don't sit back.. Report this kid to the Site Operators.. Hi5 is operated out of San Fransisco,  CA.. in the uSA.

They have clear policy in their "Terms of Use". This is the "Abuse Report", quoting their policy that I just sent to there Moderators...

You should do the same.. All of the members here should do it.. Can't change attitudes in Thailand.. But sure can get some action in the States for this problem. Here is the link to the Abuse Report Page.. Click "Send email to hi5" at Bottom of Page"
http://server.iad.liveperson.net/hc/s-16238773/cmd/kbresource/kb-3682846936204408585/view_question!PAGETYPE?sc=13&sf=101133&documentid=239384&action=view

This is the complaint I filed:

The page refered to has been posted by a 13-yer old boy from Bangkok, The page refered to has been posted by a 13-yer old boy, named Panuwat from Bangkok, Thailand and contains Photos of Swastikas and Adolf Hitler. Thailand and contains Photos of Swastikas and Adolf Hitler.

Under your "Terms of Sevice" copied Below, This a Clear violation against posting Offensive, racist and hateful content.

Please take appropriate action immediately.
Thank you,
(Insert your name here).
---------------
Prohibited Content includes Content that:

              (a) is patently offensive to the online community, such as Content that promotes racism, bigotry, hatred or physical harm of any kind against any group or individual;

A Small step for Mankind...
CS

CS - thanks for running down the Terms of Use for hi5.  I just filed a similar complaint.   

[hero]

Just to inform that I have (temporarily) moved thepictures that were previously featured on this thread at the request of the poster who shared them.  He has become worried, in the light of the publicity, that he may be in hot water at work - I'm sure none of us wish that.

It does sound like he has a plan to tell the full story in due time, but right now the pics are off the thread.  If anybody wants the pics - please send me a nice PM and I'll perhaps forward them if appropriate.

Thanks for understanding!