It's on BBC News in the UK. Full interview with all the boys.
They seem very educated.
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It's on BBC News in the UK. Full interview with all the boys.
They seem very educated.
Remarkable poise and dignity. And of course gratitude...."getanyu" is (I believe) the Thai word. It goes beyond simply saying something like "thanks". It suggests something heart-felt, acknowledging that their lives have been changed ( in fact saved ) by the rescuers.
This long report in Thursdays Age probably is the last of the story.
A great long article and I hope all the boys do well in the future.
https://www.theage.com.au/world/asia...18-p4zs9w.html
A report today in the newspapers I read that the entire performance was scripted and all questions were vetted by psychologists so as not to add to the trauma the boys have suffered and will suffer. Not sure if anything of value can be inferred from the news conference therefore.
Of course they were coached; they were children confronted by the world's press so they needed advice. Does this mean that the words " poise and dignity" are inappropriate?
Fail to see why anybody would want to make any reliable inference about their behaviour and personalities anyway - just be thankful they were rescued - anything more is verging on being creepy.
Not inappropriate but over the top. How often do we hear of children being described as poised and dignified? Sounds very archaic and colonial to me. I would have said they were pretty chilled, cool, unruffled or in good spirits considering what they've been through. I also thought they looked healthy and cute and I don't mean that in a sexual way.
And by lauding their poise and dignity, you are in fact suggesting that there is a correct way to behave under these circumstances and the behaviour they showed on TV was the correct one. So would you have censured them had they been uncomfortable, distressed or emotional which to me would have been perfectly natural and understandable considering what they went through?
Furthermore, to attribute their survival and good behaviour to Thainess and Thai culture is somewhat irrational, sentimental and misplaced, in my humble opinion. I think some farang subconsciously do it to justify their own choices, decisions and relationships re Thailand. In other words, it makes them feel good about themselves. Considering that quite a few of these boys, had they not been embraced by celebrity due to their misadventure, would have been viewed as second-class citizens, or, not be "seen" at all by the local population, all this mumbo jumbo about some "deep understanding of Thai culture from those of us who love Thais" is just a load of feel-good crap revealing no insight or deep understanding of human nature, let alone Thai culture.
In my opinion, what the boys had going for them - which I'm sure contributed to their survival in no small measure - is that they were young, athletic and conditioned to function as a team from their football training. They were disciplined and listened to their leader and still young enough to be free from the I-will-eat-you-first-before-you -eat-me survival instinct. Anyone who has ever played in a team sport or undergone military training as I have would understand what I mean. And most importantly, being rugged guys from the region, they understood the terrain and had a certain connection with their natural environment to be able to co-exist with it under the most challenging circumstances. You might have read about this connection with nature with regards to native American Indians and Australian Aboriginals. Put the fittest swimmer from Huamark or some nicely coiffed kept-boy from Pattaya in that cave and he may not have fared so well.
A note about citizenship for some of the boys and all the fuss some bored farangs with no life are kicking up about it. This is something that will be approached quietly and carefully by the Thais themselves when all the dust has settled. Citizenship not only for the boys but also their immediate families which means some precedents will be set and I'm sure the powers-that-be will want to tread carefully. The granting of citizenship itself is as easy as one wave of the sceptre of you-know-who as this clearly falls within his prerogative. Don't be surprised if the boys get an audience with him or his sister at some point; the welfare of hilltribe and stateless persons being a cause close to her heart. So all these armchair do-gooder farangs can rest and cut down on their blood pressure medicine and get back to the really important issues of man boys vs fem boys and how much to tip for an overnight off.
While some of the content may be contentious, I thought this piece very well-written and thought-provoking. I do wonder how the inevitable Hollywood film will appear twelve months or so down the line? Will they, for example, offer parts to some of the rescued boys? I predict that Mr. Spielberg will direct.
Who cares about the movie or who will act in them. Who cares whether they get to meet MU. What I do care about is that the Wild Boars and their coach get some long-term, tangible benefit from this experience, for example, a scholarship fund or trust to see them through university or whatever it is they choose to do in life. A few of them wanted to be navy seals which I thought was very touching and a fitting ambition. And them seals are mighty fit (ahem). These guys don't ordinarily get much of a chance in life. Have you seen close ups of Aek, the coach? He has crow's feet around his eyes and chaffed, leathery skin, which is quite typical of hilltribesmen living under tough weather conditions - not the face of a Pattaya pretty boy. Did you hear him speak and the words he chose? Extremely humble and deferential. No, not Thai modesty but the humility of someone who has been taught to know his place as a second-class citizen all his life. That part made me choke.
I sincerely hope an honest agent (oxymoron?) steps up and helps these guys to milk every satang out of this experience as surely as they will be milked and exploited by others.
One member has told me he feels the words above (which have been "liked" by 3 other members) suggest he has an unhealthy and sexually motivated interest in wanting to dig in to the "behaviour and personalities" of these boys.
I am happy to confirm that my comment did not mention or allude to any sexual motivation, and was simply intended to convey that I regard it as bizarre for anybody to take this level of interest in people they don't know, will never meet, and who are from a culture they will never fully understand. I see it almost like 'stalking' - and that's not a sexual accusation either!
It's also well worth pointing out that I didn't even read his contribution in the first place and the post wasn't even directed at him specifically - but hopefully he feels more at ease with my clarification (not apology as there is nothing to apologise for)
My feeling is one of sadness that this forum's coverage of an event which brought such happiness to so many has been sullied by inappropriate sexual innuendo. At least Elon Musk apologised.
Nevertheless, there were three likes. Three! so it must have been worth it. And I've learnt two important lessons. Firstly, the words "poised and dignified" are so charged with sexual significance that they should be used only with the greatest care. And secondly, one sentence in one post praising the handling of a Press Conference can be used as the basis for offensive allegations.
Perhaps there are two more; on this forum, any level of abuse is sanctified by the acquisition of "likes", and a PM is not....well, private.
No "allegations" were made of anybody having a sexual interest in the story - if you can find any, point them out and if you can't I'd suggest you get off your high horse as it's a clapped-out non-starter.
While you're at it you might try to find any mainstream dictionary definition of the word "creepy" that includes any sexual reference - it seems to me it's all in the mind of those who are so easily taking offence
Naresuan University has already offered them all full scholarships for degree, masters and doctorate courses if they want to study there - and coped a bit of flack for the offer
Naresuan University offers 13 ‘Wild Boars’ full scholarships - The Nation, 13 July
<sarcasm>
and what a sincere and heartfelt apology it was - not at all prompted by his belated realisation of the impact of his negative tweets on his personal reputation and the share price of his companies!
</sarcasm>
I admit he was originally in a no win situation in the initial twitter storm about why is he not helping/is helping and his initial response was quite measured and sensible but he really showed his true colours once his proffered solution was rejected
bkkguy
Foreign media slammed for pursuit of Wild Boars boys
report-cave.jpg
ABC News interviews one of the Wild Boars boys
Justice deputy permanent secretary Thawatchai Thaikhieu today expressed disappointment at the conduct of some foreign journalists who defied advice of psychiatrists and child welfare officials against interviewing the young members of the Wild Boars soccer team after they were discharged from the hospital.
“Some foreign media have acted below the professional standard which is something regrettable and unforgivable,” wrote Mr Thawatchai in his Facebook page. He was apparently responding to an interview that a correspondent of ABC News had with one of the young survivors from Tham Luang cave.
The interview created an uproar on the Thai social media after it was aired last night, prompting calls for Thai authorities to take action against the American journalist.
Full Story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/for...ld-boars-boys/
Oh christ I thought this was over
[QUOTE=Oliver2;246115]
My feeling is one of sadness that this forum's coverage of an event which brought such happiness to so many has been sullied by inappropriate sexual innuendo.
And I've learnt two important lessons. Firstly, the words "poised and dignified" are so charged with sexual significance that they should be used only with the greatest care.
/QUOTE]
What a load of bull shxt - You twisting the words "poised and dignified" into charged sexual significance is just stupid.
You need to read the whole thing prpperly Kittybaby. You've completely misunderstood the entire dialogue and got yourself stuck up an intellectual tree. Again.
There was a great interview on a Thai channel this afternoon with the Thai doctor who stayed with them in the cave for 9 days.
Had subtitles and was very moving indeed.
One interesting thing that came out of it was the ready agreement of local farmers to lose their crops due to the amount water having to be flushed out of the cave into their fields. B/F tells me they were to be compensated, but even so.
They also showed unseen footage of operations inside the cave. I was gobsmacked at the number of people involved. There was a shot of about 30 guys carrying something really heavy (like a generator or something) on a long pole across their shoulders.
There were only a few shots of the boys and definitely no interviews with them. Was very well presented indeed.
Nice try. Read the whole dialogue or don't. It's up to you.
I'm sure you're right.
Thank you for your kind words Kittybaby.
Someone needs a saucer of milk. Maybe get an adult to show you the posts you've missed..
Suggestion noted.
Smart people understand the difference between their own opinions and facts.
Try going beyond noting that you pass off your own opinions as facts and enact the suggestion that you label your opinions as opinions.
And as my signature reads. Opinions are like assholes everyone has one and the all stink.
Kittyboy, I missed some of this and made a decision not to go back and laboriously piece it together. Having said that, you must realize that "tit for tat" is a childooh game. Best to move on...
You are correct. It probably is best to move on. I am still on vacation so a bit bored and restless.
Back to topic.
I was in China for 10 days before returning to the USA. I was amazed at the interest shown by the ex pat community in this story.
As someone pointed out we do not know these kids but for many people it became personal. It was an almost happy ending.. the retired navy diver who died keeps the story in the almost happy ending category. Imho
Oh my God, is the phrase "happy ending" what this is about? No wonder I was lost it just never occured to me....