Thursday, August 16, 2007

Only in Thailand...

Last week, I read the news that the Bangkok police have begun using "Hello Kitty" armbands as a punishment. Specifically, officers who break rules of various sorts will be required to wear the armbands as a form of humiliation. You can read the article here.

I wasn't entirely sure what to make of this news. It surprised me a bit, as Thai culture generally is not in favor of humiliation or shame. "Losing face" by having your wrongs pointed out to you -- public or not -- is avoided. I don't remember ever having seen one Thai person trying to embarrass another, beyond your typical schoolchildren teasing about who "liked" who.

Then again, life in Thailand can be a little bizarre... in many situations.