Nazi imagery in Thailand

There is an ongoing interest in Thailand in Nazi symbolism, particularly among young people. The fascination with such imagery is considered to be based on a lack of understanding of the Holocaust rather than political leanings or hate crime.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

A storefront in Bangkok with Hitler's face on a figure of Ronald McDonald

In 2013, after meeting the Minister of Education, Simon Roded, the Israeli ambassador to Thailand, stated that the school curriculum would be changed to include information about the Holocaust.[4]

Occurrences
  • "Hitler" was the name of an Adolf Hitler-themed fried chicken restaurant in Ubon Ratchathani, also in Chiang Rai, Thailand.[7][8] It changed its name to "H-ler" and then eventually closed down. While open, KFC considered taking legal action against them, because the Thai restaurant's logo was Hitler's head atop the Colonel Sanders's shoulders.[9][10] A statement by Yum! (parent company of KFC) is as follows: "We find it extremely distasteful and are considering legal action since it is an infringement of our brand trademark and has nothing to do with us."[11]
  • There is a herbal laxative tea sold in Thailand. The package depicts Hitler's head with fire coming from his mouth and light beams emitting from his eyes. The caption of the package reads "Release the Demon."[12]
  • T-shirts are sold depicting Nazi imagery. One shows a Hitler Teletubby while another has an image of a Panda Hitler.[13]
  • In 2011, during a sports day parade, students of a Catholic school in Thailand dressed and marched in SS uniforms. The school later apologized after Western outrage.[1]
  • In 2013, a large mural was created by students at Chulalongkorn University. It depicted Hitler alongside superheroes. The university apologized.[14]
  • The ruling military junta of the Thai government produced a 2014 propaganda video made to teach core values of society in Thailand.[1] In the video, a child paints a picture of Hitler with a swastika in the background. The child adjacent sees the work and applauds.
  • BNK48's member Pichayapa Natha, or Namsai, wearing a Nazi-themed shirt replete with swastikas on stage during a televised performance on 25 January 2019, two days before the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, drew backlash.[15]

See also

References
  1. "Hitler imagery in Thai junta propaganda film sparks outrage". Mail & Guardian. 10 December 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  2. "Thai junta propaganda film stuns with Hitler scene". The Japan Times. 10 May 2013. Archived from the original on 2014-12-10. Retrieved 2019-10-09.
  3. Locker, Melissa. "KFC Is Not Amused by 'Hitler' Fried Chicken" – via newsfeed.time.com.
  4. Tuohy, Tom (15 August 2013). "Thai educators grapple with Nazi imagery". www.aljazeera.com.
  5. Ramasoota, Pirongrong (18 July 2013). "Ignorance, hypocrisy and Chula's Hitler billboard". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  6. "Hitler appears in Thai propaganda video". Fox News World. AP. 10 December 2014.
  7. DeHart, Jonathon (10 July 2013). "'Hitler' Fried Chicken: KFC Logo Gets Troubling Nazi Chic Makeover". The Diplomat. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  8. "Thailand's "Hitler Fried Chicken" is a Little Out Of Mein Kampfort Zone". Policymic. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  9. DeNinno, Nadine (2013-07-08). "'Hitler' Fried Chicken: KFC May Sue Restaurant In Thailand For Replacing Colonel Sanders With Adolf Hitler". International Business Times. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  10. "KFC Threatens Legal Action Against 'Hitler' Chicken". NASDAQ. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  11. "Hitler chicken joint renews focus on 'Nazi chic' Thailand". WSFA. 2013. Archived from the original on 2016-06-09. Retrieved 2013-07-24.
  12. "Tri Siam Adverts & Commercials Archive". Coloribus. Lixil Graphics Ltd. Archived from the original on 2018-07-08. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  13. Mühlmann, Sophie (1 March 2012). "Thailand: Der schräge Trend zum Teletubby-Hitler-Shirt". Die Welt (in German). Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  14. "Thai university apologises for 'superhero' Hitler billboard". The Guardian. 15 July 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  15. Ruiz, Todd, ed. (2019-01-26). "Thai idol group BNK48 member wears Nazi flag on stage". Khaosod English. Bangkok: Khaosod. Retrieved 2019-01-26.
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