[violetgorman]

Why do you seem to think that this is a uniquely Thai phenomenon? You live in the USA. Although they "teach" equality in the schools and via other propaganda media, equality certainly does not exist in the States. It is practically a crime to be poor in America. At least in Thailand you have a right to be poor. There are class distinctions in every culture in the world. Social scientistists are well aware of stereotyping and in-group biases against members of the out-group. These biases occur in all groups quite naturally. In many cases they are adaptive and promote the survival of ingroup members. There is also "the iron law of oligarchy," which secures power for members of the ruling class.