Australia needs Thai-style citizenship test for foreigners
It is my understanding that a foreigner seeking Thai citizenship must meet stringent qualifications, including the ability to speak and write Thai, a knowledge of Thai history, its culture and customs, and to be able to sing the Thai national anthem.
Australia has been criticised lately for its refugee policies, but in general it has been far too lax in handing out citizenship to immigrants, often doing so to people who speak barely a word of English.
Without wanting to play the race card, all too often it seems that we hand citizenship to people who want all the benefits of living in a country like Australia but who have no intention of fitting in to its social norms and conventions.
If Australia adopted the Thai approach, it might perhaps weed out radical elements like the Muslim “sheik” Man Haron Monis, who held innocent people hostage in the Sydney café on Monday, ending in his death and the death of two hostages, not to mention serious trauma to the other hostages.
David Brown
Rayong
