Article

2006-03-21 Southeast Asia

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Posted by Steve 2006-03-21 08:19|| || Front Page|| [2 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 That's weird, I recall reading a similar story in a VS Naipaul book, happened in Malaysia way back, IIRC. Apparently, smashing infidel's idols (hindu or buddhist for Naipaul) does happen spontanously when muslim men are near by. I wonder why?

Posted by anonymous5089 2006-03-21 08:40|| 2006-03-21 08:40|| Front Page Top

#2 The man - who was reported to suffer from mental health problems...

Way to be redundant. They said he was Muslim in the very first word of the story.

(Anyone else find that both odd and refreshing?)

Posted by Robert Crawford">Robert Crawford 2006-03-21 09:27|| http://www.kloognome.com/]">[http://www.kloognome.com/] 2006-03-21 09:27|| Front Page Top

#3 So sad, too bad and yes itn redundant.

Posted by 6 2006-03-21 09:56|| 2006-03-21 09:56|| Front Page Top

#4 I live in Bangkok, and I know the Erawan shrine very well. The reports are correct that the destroyed figure was of the Hindu "god" Brahma (which - by the way is the Hindu designation for the character known as "Abraham" in Jewish, Christian, and Moslem religious texts). What is not properly explained is that - based on the "come on in" inclusive approach that Thai Buddhists take toward other religions, this shrine was considered as a very important Buddhist shrine- indeed, the younger Thais (at least) refer to the figure (in English) as "the four headed Buddha".

The official "spin" being given here in Bangkok is heavily pushing the "mentally ill" angle, and down-playing the "Muslim nut-case" angle. The two cleaners who wacked the perp were arrested - it will be interesting to see what becomes of them.

Virtually every day down in Southern Thailand, armed Muslim thugs murder a handful of random victims - postmen, teachers, Buddhist monks, rubber plantation workers - on and on. It utterly amazes me that Thais haven't yet gone more broadly "medieval" on the miscreant population.

This wacko just pushed the Thai Muslim population one step closer toward facing the wrath of unleashed Thai anger.

Posted by Lone Ranger 2006-03-21 10:25|| 2006-03-21 10:25|| Front Page Top

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