Thai tv sheds light on, narrows the gap between Thai and Tai (Yai)
by Naw Liang (in London, UK)

Mai soong kha!
Another week has passed, and it appears that summer has finally (and fully) arrived in London. Let's just hope it decides to stick around for a while.

Now, while I finish editing the series of posts on my visit to Shan, Wa and Kokang States in June 2008, here is a shorter post on a recent 'boom' of television programmes that have been spotted (and forwarded) by avid Shan enthusiasts over the past few months. Enjoy...

Political awareness from public television: ThaiTV reports
In a report for the Shan Herald Agency for News in late March this year, Hseng Khio Fah highlighted a unique documentary produced by ThaiTV (formerly Thai PBS) called 'Thai Yai Displaced labor' (sic) that aired across Thailand on 22 March 2009 at 21:00 (any assistance with this link would be appreciated). The document, which was based on the latest crackdown on Shan migrant workers in Chiang Mai, has, Hseng Khio Fah states, "...stimulated Thai society to learn about the Shan people [following the scenes of] hundreds of Shan migrants [suffering] repercussions of (sic) [a Thai student's] rape and murder [in Mae Joe] last month." Hseng Khio Fah goes on to describe how the programme aired by Perd Pom linked a previous show on 7 February that detalied the murder and rape of a Thai student in Mae Joe; this event has led to the recent crackdown and, in hand, a mass departure by Shan migrant workers from different locations of Chiang Mi province to their hometowns and villages along the Thai-Burma border and even back into Shan State.

While the uproar about the horrible events of 7 February still enrage many Thai, the backlash many Shan migrants have experienced has produced as much concern; it is not known if any major crackdowns have occurred since 7 February, though smaller happenings are likely. In fact, the overall reaction of Thais to the programme according to ThaiTV has proved very positive with many viewers calling the programme "very touching" and educational. As expected, similar (and stronger) emotional sentiments and reactions have come from the Shan community in Thailand: Hseng Khio Fah states that "a number of Shan viewers, including monks, wept after seeing [the programme]."

Educational television: Thais learn about the Shan
Hseng Khio Fah also writes that reports show that a number of Thai viewers praised the educational quality of 'Thai Yai displaced labor', highlighting information on the migration (when and why) of Shan people into Thailand. Furthermore, many others have showed a marked interest in learning more about the Shan as a result. A Bangkok-based monk as reported to say that "I was very sad when I saw many...Shan migrants [hiding] in the jungle without food and water. I could not help [shed] tears.”

Moreover, the programme has highlighted the plight of the Shan, Hseng Khio Fah writes, while "...[helping] the Thai community understand Shan plight and [motivating] Thais to learn or read the past [and shared] history [of] the two cousins."

Reactions from the Shan and Thais
It appears that, on the surface, the reaction of the Shan community to 'Thai Yai Displaced labor' has been positive. The Chairman of the Chiang Mai-based Shan Literature and Culture Association, Saengmuang Mangkorn, appeared in the programme, stating that many Shan had come to Thailand - often a very arduous journey - to escape harm and hardship from the Burmese military and not purely (or primarily) for economic reasons. Other prominent Shans in Chiang Mai, including Khuensai Jaiyen (the Editor-in-Chief of Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN), supported this, explaining - in detail - the political situation many Shan face in Burma/Myanmar today.

A key demographic that is routinely ignored are the Shan migrant workers themselves. Hseng Khio Fah did manage to get some reactions from them about 'Thai Yai migrant labor', including one worker who emphasised a common, though ignored, sentiment: "Migrants are struggling to survive in Thailand". The worker added, "the best way is for [the] Thai government agencies to make its policy realistic and practical, which means [welcoming] migrant workers into the [Thai] system.” Hopefully, his and other Shan migrant workers' needs and wants will, if nothing else, be given 'air time' through the show.

From the Thai perspective, support for the Shan was as steadfast, though it was sown more along economic linkes. Quotes from Thai businessmen on the need for Shan immigrants included sentiments like "If all [Shan] migrants are pushed back [to Burma], no one will do the work they are doing now. These migrants are also assisting Thai economy."

One Thai citizen added that the opening up of new registration for Shan migrants by the government is crucial, a consideration that should take place immediately. Others openly supported his opinion. Furthermore, Thai associations, such as the Chiang Mia-based Migrant Assistant Program (MAP) fully appreciated the programme and the strength of its message.
Hark Murng (MAP) was reported as saying, “This report can change [the] Thai community['s] attitude because it includes employer[s'] view[s on] how migrant workers assist [the] Thai economy." He added that, "[the programme shows that] the economy can’t run without migrant workers.”

And, from now...
It is not known what reaction the government has to the programme, nor what action (if any) they might take from the comments of those who watched. In the end, the most positive outcomes from 'Thai Yai Displaced labor' are threefold:
1. Giving a voice to the increasingly marginalised Shan migrant worker communities in Thailand;
2. Educating, informing and including the greater Thai community in the lives of their cousins and fellow 'residents'; and
3. Highlighting the actions of the government and revealing where serious efforts need to be made to fully integrate the Shan community into Thailand proper.

Knock-on effects: more Shan programmes on Thai television
I have recently been informed by a knowledgeable Shan/Thai researcher that there have been a series of Thai television programmes highlighting the Shan - more focused on education and anthropology than politics - recently. While I have been unablet to confirm or deny this, I am currently researching it and will be sure to comment in due time. For now, those capable of researching in Thai can head to Thai PBS' website (found here) for details. Again, any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Before I go...
While the programme aired on 27 March 2009 on ThaiTV, I have yet to find a link for it. Any guidance from someone more 'capable' in Thai would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for visiting and see you again soon.

Naw Liang

UPDATE
Some recent digging - my limited Shan does limit me, but marginally less each time - turned up a wonderful online library of all the ThaiTV (former Thai PBS) Shan language broadcasts; these are provided through online Burmese (and ethnic languages) news service Mongloi (www.mongloi.org). The link (found here) is fast, error-free and comprehensive - just about everything that enthusiasts would want. For now, have a look, comment if you'd like and, above all, enjoy.