[Marinausa]

I would hardly say it was lambasting the country.

[Acrogeokickic]

It's an interesting analysis, which is quite different from the choice tidbits used to make the original story.

[chuecaloversvvp]

diplomats have to put a smiley face on so often, going to receptions, meetings, charm they way through, maintain good connections with people they would like to punch.... no wonder the first time they can safely speak their minds, they take the opportunity to vent....
(teachers, or other professions working with clients that need to be pleased at all costs probably do the same, just not on a national scale. I could write pages and pages and pages of crap venting about Thailand.)

[pataagusata]

Here's the link to the original condescending 'confidential' report, lambasting Thailand and her peoples:

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/radio4/tr...ny-Rumbold.pdf

[chuecaloversvvp]

indeed, the Thai bit does not sound like venting, but some of the others do.
this guy, what he is saying about Thailand, it is partly a matter of personal taste.

btw, anyone remembers the thread about an encyclopedia article from 100 years ago that described Thai people as ugly? (among other things)

http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12231
sorry I know it is only remotely related, I just remembered it now for some reason.

[crycleascentyv]

One thing he got very, very wrong: "the days of the coup d'état are probably over for good." Of course, since 1967, there have only been about 10!

On the larger point, from the commanding heights of a foreign service office, the little people may indeed have seemed to hold inexplicable views. I did not see any mention of Buddhism, which suggests to me that those with whom he interacted really did not give him a full exposure to the culture.

It is difficult today to judge this account by our modern standards. The contrast between the industralized West and Thailand must have been enormous 30 years ago, before the "Asian Tigers" modernized their economies (at least to a significant extent) in subsequent decades. I'm not sure many of us would have done better in understanding Thailand and its people at that time.

[Marinausa]

I think with literature, art and architecture, they are aesthetic things so are subjective.

As far as this one:

The children are pretty but soon lose their charm, and the race, generally speaking, is ugly from the European standpoint. The European Standpoint was one that wanted women to be tall and ghostly white, the exact opposite of what Thai people are.

Not written particularly nicely though.

[VipInoLo]

Well every one is entitled to there opinion, but we don't have to agree. Personally I like the Thai architecture.

[Marinausa]

I'm sure many people could! The thing is, it doesn't read like a vent. It reads in many areas like a relatively fair description of modern Thailand, actually. I think perhaps the fact that it doesn't describe Thailand as the best, most progressive and jaw-droppingly awesome country in Asia, and it comes from an incredibly experienced and well-travelled man, is the reason some people are taking offence.

[Kinds Of Pain Meds]

The Thais came out poorly, in the eyes of Sir Anthony Rumbold, who served in Bangkok from 1965-67.

“They have no literature, no painting and only a very odd kind of music; their sculpture, ceramics and dancing are borrowed from others, and their architecture is monotonous and interior decoration hideous,” he recalled. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle6879550.ece

Found at...

http://bangkokpundit.blogspot.com/20...h-natives.html

[iNYZgxNC]

I agree with Paul, Thai architecture has it's own charm.
I do not agree with Thai children loosing their charm, actually the complete opposite.
When there, I am always greeted with respect by the younger one's, beautiful.
If you want to see children with no charm, visit Australia. Many here loose respect for adults, the law and every thing else in life, not good.