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.

Celebrating a century: Wat Tiyasathan
by Naw Liang
(from London, United Kingdom, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Belgrade, Serbia)
(with sincere thanks to Jotika Khur-yearn)

Mai soong kha everyone!
Well, it appears that spring has arrived in London, but not in Belgrade. Oh well, nemam pojma (Serbian: I don't know). But that is enough about the weather, the Balkans and Serbian for now. Time for some more Shan stuff.

I recently was privy to some e-correspondence through the SCA_UK, particularly some fascinating information about a famous and ageing Shan temple near Chiang Mai, Thailand. If anyone has further information (including a picture of the wat in question), I would be very grateful. Thank you in advance.

100 years young: Wat Tiyasathan
Located in the northern part of Chiang Mai province (Northern Thailand) is the small, sparsely populated amphoe (district) of Mae Taeng, an unassuming area wedged between Chiang Mai and the Mae Hong Son border. Quiet and laidback, Mae Taeng can be easily missed, especially for outsiders despite being 'renowned' for Wise Man of Mae Taeng. Experienced wisdom aside, there is little else of interest save one thing, one very special Shan thing. Mae Taeng, for all its mediocrity, is home to an important place in the hearts and spiritual strength of many local Shan: the Shan temple, Wat Tiyasathan. This beacon of serenity and scholarship is set to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of its founding on 1 April 2009. Despite its 'Thai' appearance and the mixed nature of its rituals - combining Shan, Northern Thai and central Thai - the feeling is strongly Shan: many of its resident monks are Shan as are more than half of its devotees; other worshippers including Khon Muang (Northern Thai) and Thai. Shan cultural and Buddhist traditions continue to be openly practised and passed on from laity to the devotees today, much has it has been for the past century. This is truly something to be celebrated.

Publish to preserve
An event of this magnitude, especially amongst the Shan community, requires a special effort. As a result, a select group of Shan academics, leaders, monks and devotees of Wat Tiyasathan (and beyond) plan to produce a commemorative text on the history of Wat Tiyasathan, the biography of the current abbot of the temple and on Buddhism in general. Such an endeavour will be doubly special as many of the pieces/articles will be written in Shan; two core chapters - the history of Wat Tiyasathan and the abbot's biography - will also be available in Thai. Furthermore and, if possible, an article on Shan manuscript collections, including information on the Shan manuscript collection at Wat Tiyasathan, will be written in English by SOAS librarian and budding scholar Jotika Khur-yearn to celebrate not only the temple's birthday, but also the treasures it has guarded for so long. (Jotika has written on the richness of Buddhist texts and collections of Buddhist manuscripts as well as many other Shan-specific topics).
We are all eager to get our hands on copies of this original text.

Showing our support
Celebrations of this kind do not come along everyday, and they are never without cost. Additionally, the commemorative book project, recognising Wat Tiyasathan and its laity's contribution to the wider Shan community's religious well-being, needs financial backing. The publication is now nearing its final stages and costs are set to rise. Furthermore, with copies limited - it is anticipated that only 1,000 copies will be produced - the temple needs as much help as it can get.

The current costs, estimated at 50,000 baht ($1,200), have received a generous boost from Jotika Khur-yearn, but additional support is necessary. For anyone interested in helping out (and receiving one of these rare collections of Shan Buddhist literature), please send any donations to the address below. And, as an added bonus, all those who donate will receive a copy of the book as well as the chance to have their comments and/or own projects published with the text.

For now, please send your donations to:

Wat Tiyasathan
T. San Maha Phon
Amphoe Mae Taeng
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Tel. +66 53 471235

For those based in the UK, donations can be made to Jotika Khur-yearn directly. Please contact him (jk53@soas.ac.uk) for details.

Lastly, additional copies of the text will be available for sale at the celebrations in Wat Tiyasathan, if anyone is lucky enough to attend, as well as distributed to local bookstores for sale. Any money received from book sales will be kindly donated to the monks and devotees at Wat Tiyasathan.

So, that is all for now. Make sure to get in touch with Jotika is you are interested in donating (and receiving your text in return) to Wat Tiyasathan's 100th anniversary. Better yet, spend a bit more and make a journey to the temple at the hot, dry start of April. The celebrations are sure to be wonderful and, if you can spare a few more days, the festivities of Songkran (13-15 April) are always a splash.

Gyan cha tha ba seh,

Naw Liang