[violetgorman]

It seems the topic is too sensitive for the Thai Lifestyle & Culture forum, so I will repost here:

I would be interested in any advice regarding how to deal with helping a Thai friend rise above what seems to be a not uncommon Thai trait, that I think is best described as: "willful ignorance, or stubborn ignorance, born from the need to save face".

Whilst I recognise that willful ignorance is not an exclusively Thai trait, I am specifically interested in hearing from those Thai people who have managed to rise above the trait (through mindfulness), and become more open, honest & sharing and less defensive, when confronted with disagreements.

Can you recommend any techniques to 'open the eyes' of a thai who only sees things their way (often misunderstanding). It is not a language problem, but rather a communication problem.

Basically, I am worried that some Thai seem to be unable to back down through fear of losing face (or proving something?), and I am having great difficulty getting them to even listen properly to to see that there might be another side to the story.

(If you do not recognize that such a trait is not uncommon amongst Thai people, then it is doubtful that you will be able to provide the type of advice I am looking for).

As this behavior can equally be applied to Thai on Thai relationships, including regarding things like political disputes (as evidenced by the ongoing red/yellow political mess), I think this post belongs more in the Culture forum rather than this forum, or even in the Private deeper discussions forum, which unfortunately I do not have access to (yet).