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  1. #1
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    Cool The love of Uniforms in Thailand

    Do not know if this thread has come up before but can anyone explain why the Thai's appear to love to wear uniforms. From filing clerks in local government offices to super generals in the armed forces they all seem to have a uniform with loads of gold braid on their shoulders (especially for special occasions) with row upon row of "campaign medals" on their left breast. Does it make up for their general lack of stature and make them feel superior to other underlings who do not wear uniforms? I wonder!

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    Yes undoubtedly. Nothing like feeling self important and that goes for outside Thailand too. Take security guards, parking wardens and virtually any jobsworth in a high vis jacket.

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    Thailand Expat VocalNeal's Avatar
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    Everyone loves a bit of work related bling. Makes them feel important. Not only Thais, take those US oil filed types with company logos (campaign medals) on their aluminum hard hats. Must think there all Red Adair, even the camp manager?

  4. #4
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    Doh! I thought this would be another uni girl thread. Feeling disappointed now

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    Quote Originally Posted by Satonic View Post
    Doh! I thought this would be another uni girl thread. Feeling disappointed now
    Me too. Here you go (not uni, but uniform obviously!):


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    In some instances, for example, school and university uniforms, I think the wearing of uniforms has something to do with making students conform and subject to control.

    In Thailand's case it certainly successfully suppresses any ideas of individualism and creative thought in the students. It saddens me to see the individuality of thousands of young people preparing for a university graduation ceremony being shaped by strict and specific instructions about what to wear and how to wear their hair and make-up, and how to stand, walk, and receive their awards. The result is a procession of almost identical robots with few distinguishing characteristics.

    I'm not sure if my theory of conformity and control is applicable to security guards, bank clerks, teachers, government officials attending meetings, police, soldiers, sailors, air force members, optical shop personnel, flight services staff, Makro check-out chicks, and all those others who dress in uniforms. More research needed...

    bobforest

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    I recall the fuss over Nok Air's "uniform"



    Seemed very practical to me in the event that a plane may be forced to ditch in the sea.

    <--- to give repo click here.

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    Quote Originally Posted by bobforest View Post
    I'm not sure if my theory of conformity and control is applicable to security guards, bank clerks, teachers, government officials attending meetings, police, soldiers, sailors, air force members, optical shop personnel, flight services staff, Makro check-out chicks, and all those others who dress in uniforms. More research needed...
    Many of the jobs you list are Thai civil servants. teachers, Uni lecturers, gov officials etc, and the white "sailors uniform" is the official dress uniform, which they will wear on official occassions.

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    Thailand Expat Pragmatic's Avatar
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    I blame the Americans from when they were based here. America indoctrinated them. Nurses uniforms are an clear example. Followed by school marching bands. The only fcuking tune the school band near to me plays is 'Halls of Montezuma: Marine anthem'. Every weekday for the last 8 years.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Pragmatic View Post
    . Nurses uniforms .
    hmmmm.



  11. #11
    Thailand Expat Boon Mee's Avatar
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    Nothing wrong with wearing a uniform - to wit:





    Gets the kids out of their everyday shorts and T-shirt and promotes unity!

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    Apart from the "Benny Hill" style nurses' uniforms, the whole uniformity / conformity of thought (or lack thereof) indicated by dress here is a bit of indication of the fascistic-monkey mindset of a large proportion of the populace.

    Old joke: Q: What's the difference between a Thai and a supermarket trolley?

    A: Sometimes the trolley appears to have a mind of it's own.

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    Thailand Expat Boon Mee's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by kmart View Post
    Apart from the "Benny Hill" style nurses' uniforms, the whole uniformity / conformity of thought (or lack thereof) indicated by dress here is a bit of indication of the fascistic-monkey mindset of a large proportion of the populace.

    Old joke: Q: What's the difference between a Thai and a supermarket trolley?

    A: Sometimes the trolley appears to have a mind of it's own.
    What is a 'fascistic-monkey (sic) mindset?

    Are Boy & Girl Scouts a symbol of Fascism?

  14. #14
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    The staff of my Mrs requested uniform polo shirts. The reason was so they didn't have to figure out what to wear every day and be constantly buying new clothes.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Boon Mee View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by kmart View Post
    Apart from the "Benny Hill" style nurses' uniforms, the whole uniformity / conformity of thought (or lack thereof) indicated by dress here is a bit of indication of the fascistic-monkey mindset of a large proportion of the populace.

    Old joke: Q: What's the difference between a Thai and a supermarket trolley?

    A: Sometimes the trolley appears to have a mind of it's own.
    What is a 'fascistic-monkey (sic) mindset?

    Are Boy & Girl Scouts a symbol of Fascism?
    Well, Baden Powell was a big admirer of Mussolini apparently:

    Jim Teal who wrote the biography Baden-Powell, argued that Baden-Powell's distrust of communism led to his implicit support, through naïveté, of fascism. In 1939 Baden-Powell noted in his diary: "Lay up all day. Read Mein Kampf. A wonderful book, with good ideas on education, health, propaganda, organisation etc. – and ideals which Hitler does not practise himself."[7]:550 Baden-Powell admired Benito Mussolini early in the Italian fascist leader's career. Some very early Scouting "Thanks" badges had a swastika symbol on them.[46] According to biographer Michael Rosenthal, Baden-Powell used the swastika because he was a Nazi sympathiser. Jeal, however, argues that Baden-Powell was ignorant of the symbol's growing association with Nazism and that he used the symbol for its centuries-old meaning of "good luck" in India. Also, Baden-Powell was named by the Nazis in "The Black Book" of people to be arrested during the conquest of Great Britain. Scouting was regarded as a dangerous spy organisation by the Nazis.[47] Finally, when Nazi use of the swastika became well-known, the Scouts stopped using it. Scouting had been banned in Nazi Germany in June 1934 on the grounds that it was "a haven for young men opposed to the new State".[48]

  16. #16
    Thailand Expat Boon Mee's Avatar
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    Nothing wrong with a distrust of Communism is there?

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by Boon Mee
    Are Boy & Girl Scouts a symbol of Fascism?
    In Thailand, most definitely. Same as the 'church'.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Thormaturge View Post
    I recall the fuss over Nok Air's "uniform"


    Yeah, it was a complete scam. Not only was it overland to Udon but not one of the hostesses was in a bikini. I felt cheated.

    At least you got a free poster

  19. #19
    Thailand Expat Boon Mee's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Boon Mee
    Are Boy & Girl Scouts a symbol of Fascism?
    In Thailand, most definitely. Same as the 'church'.
    Guess it all depends on your POV...

  20. #20
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    It starts at kindergarten and continues through schools regimented to churn out compliant and obedient citizens.

    Monday is gov uniform day, though non servants may dress as they please without fear of muttering colleagues
    Tuesday pink
    Wednesday green
    Thursday orange
    Friday blue
    Saturday purple
    Sunday red

    Add to this the twice daily ritual which most Thais observe, full blooded devotion and respect for the Monarchy and Buddhism...

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    Actually having respect is something the world could use more of... Or at least understanding. Long live the King. :-)

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    Quote Originally Posted by Boon Mee View Post
    Nothing wrong with wearing a uniform - to wit:





    Gets the kids out of their everyday shorts and T-shirt and promotes unity!
    Yes....
    But you don't need para-military mentalities to promote social unity.

  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by Brian Stocks View Post
    Do not know if this thread has come up before but can anyone explain why the Thai's appear to love to wear uniforms. From filing clerks in local government offices to super generals in the armed forces they all seem to have a uniform with loads of gold braid on their shoulders (especially for special occasions) with row upon row of "campaign medals" on their left breast. Does it make up for their general lack of stature and make them feel superior to other underlings who do not wear uniforms? I wonder!
    IMO, it's more of a love of conformity. I've been teaching English in the public school system here and got to ask my students 'Do you like wearing uniforms?' to test their conversational skills (and I was curious about the answer also). And the well thought out answers (although, not necessarily very well-spoken) were along the lines of giving the students a feeling of oneness or sameness.

  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by Thormaturge View Post
    I recall the fuss over Nok Air's "uniform"

    That's an excellent looking beak on the nose of the plane.

  25. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Boon Mee
    Are Boy & Girl Scouts a symbol of Fascism?
    In Thailand, most definitely. Same as the 'church'.
    There are a few symbols and institutions in Thailand that are squarely in line with the Fascism reference.

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