THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
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Learning how to debate is the first step to democracy

Learning how to debate is the first step to democracy

ALL THE fuss over a high-school student leaving her civics exam paper blank sheds light on Thailand's fragility when it comes to differing political opinions. In a society where tolerance for different opinions is low, the act of a student handing in a b

Grade 12 student Nattanan Warintarawet from the prestigious Triam Udom Suksa Preparatory School refused to answer her exam paper, as it was focused on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s “12 Thai values”. All she did was write her name before handing it in – she later said this was her act of civil disobedience against the coup leader. 
In response, a teacher branded Nattanan as being “mentally ill”, while others condemned her for ignoring her duties as a student and aiming hate speech at her. 
However, some praised her for her courage, while Education Minister Narong Pipattanasai just told the media not to make such a big deal out of it. 
Yet, someone posted Nattanan’s photo alongside a depiction of the extinct primate Homo erectus on Facebook, in what can only be seen as another sign that a substantial number of Thais are simply unable to hold a rational debate. Thoughts that are even slightly different are often met with dislike or even hatred. 
Last week, Nattanan explained her action on Facebook, saying she had done this because the junta was trying to “become the dictator of morality by imposing the ‘12 values of Thai people’ to teach people rights and wrongs”.
Her post, written in English, read: “I wonder how such an unrighteous leader could consider himself as the holy bishop of the country, forcing students to unwillingly swallow those values of his.
“I, therefore, refuse to take the exam on this propaganda subject in order to condemn the government’s effort to dictate the values of the society.”
Those who disagree could do well to argue against her stance rationally, instead of irrationally spitting fire and brimstone. After all, handling political disagreement, debate, deliberation and argument in a calm and rational manner is essential for a free and democratic society.
Maybe this is the time for parents and teachers to start encouraging civil debate and argument on all topics instead of trying to impose one official, “correct” answer on the young. We need to learn how to argue in a civil manner, because it is not just essential for our freedom and democracy, but also for the progress and plurality of society. 
The quality of political debate and argument reflects the quality of one’s society – and so far, Thailand has failed miserably. Hate speech is being used to drown rational voices, ad hominem is trumping topic-driven argument, while those with opposing views are being branded as evil. 
With such irrational rants and hatred, Thailand can hold out little hope for an enlightened society. Unreasonable response to different views will never make this society reasonable.
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