Today is
Friday and students across Thailand are encouraged to dress in their
traditional dress. In Sangkha Buri (SKB), you will be able to see more traditional
dress on Friday as SKB is next to Burma border and there are many
races like Burmese, Karen, Mon, Indian, Muslim, etc. You can see students
coming to school in different styles and color clothing. It is really a sight
that we hope to see in Malaysia. Notice that 2 Muslim girls in the pictures
that are about to “wai” the teachers as they enter the school gates.
Besides
creating an all inclusive school environment, the parent gets to involve in helping
dress their children. They too learn the ethnic diversity and understand and
tolerate the cultural difference and diversity.
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| Students in their traditional Dress |
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| Burmese themed Lamp Post |
I also
noticed that the street lights have Burmese characters being installed as shown
in the other pictures. These lights were newly installed as I did not notice
them on my last visits. Won’t Installing the symbols of Thai arch enemy (Burma
and Siam fought many battles in the past) in the Thailand make Thais lose face?
It only shows the magnanimous and generosity of the Thais.
Food for
thought
An
inclusive society will see each group compliment the strength of the others and
help each other group to improve and prosper. Exclusiveness will only create
animosity among the oppressed groups and break the social fabric of society. It
further creates tension and stress for both oppressor and the oppressed. Each
group will get edgy and constantly on the lookout for slightest provocation. This happens now in Malaysia. Instead of doing
productive works, people are engaging in politics.
Malaysia
should capitalize on its cultural diversity and garner the best of all races for
nation building. Trying to create one race up on the rest is not only short
sighted and out of touch with reality. Soon water will find its own level.
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