Of course, this was complete baloney, but it seemed the article was headed straight in one direction - how Western culture was to blame for it all. How wrong they are. In Thailand's historical past, it was completely normal to start a family in your teens and as for those modern notions about finishing college before enjoying sex and making babies - they sound like imported ones to me.

The Culture Ministry and Thai-language mass media outlets repeatedly conclude that the decadence of Thai youth is due to their lack of Thai culture and their embracing that of the West. The Thai press may make a mockery of randy males trying to sow their oats with girls they meet on the Internet, but they forget that having an assortment of lovely girls at one's disposal was once part of everyday life. Historically, a collection of minor wives was viewed as a sign of hierarchy and status. Such practices were not shunned by Thai society and it was even perfectly normal for a wife, on behalf of her husband, to go and find a high calibre minor wife in the local village.

The Culture Ministry commonly has to say this about Thai culture: "It shows the dignity, honour and pride of the Thai people. It is for stability in Thailand, philosophy, discipline, customs, traditions, values and the essence of being Thai."

Okay, let's look into a bit about discipline and customs and read for ourselves about two of Thailand's greatest literary and cultural influences, the epic poem "Khun Chang Khun Phaen", specifically the legendary goings-on of one of its lead characters, Khun Phaen. Instead of pursuing females of a more sensible age, Khun Phaen preferred them young - his first nocturnal encounter being with his darling Miss Phim when she was just 15 years old. Later in the story, Khun Phaen has a string of different ladies, turning into a complete womaniser. Well, his ways surely must be a part of Thai culture as his adventures have been compulsory reading in Thai schools for years.

Next up we have another cultural star whose works are also compulsory reading in Thai schools. He is of course Thailand's most revered poet Sunthorn Phu. What kind of Thai values did he promote? Well he was one very colourful character indeed. It is said that he had an affair with a married woman while still a teenager, turned into an alcoholic and was imprisoned for violent behaviour.

But, what about his writing? Well, let me quote Phu's advice on Thai customs as they relate to being a true Thai woman: "If your husband should rise up in anger, you should quench his wrath, do not raise your voice and answer back." And what about this one: "Every night you should crouch at your husband's feet and pay homage."

Traditionally, as per dictates such as the above, Thai women had very little power, so, why are they now free to go to university and pick their own husbands? Of course, such women's liberation is a shockingly glaring example of Western cultural intrusion. Following Thailand's cultural guidelines, a husband ought to have the right to punch his wife if she forgets to wash his socks. Shouldn't he?

Then there is the issue of dress. The Culture Ministry hires half a dozen staff members to browse through magazines and point out all the awfully indecent pictures of sexy girls posing in revealing spaghetti tops. On the other hand, just pick up an old Thai history book and you may see some interesting illustrations of Thai women waltzing around topless with their breasts out in full view. To claim that any Thai woman who exposes her cleavage to the gaze of others is devoid of "Thainess" is a load of rubbish. The idea of women covering up and wearing a bra was a fairly recent import from the West.

Much of this transition to Western clothing was encouraged by none other than ultra-nationalist dictator Plaek Pibulsongkram. During his heyday of revising Thai ways, not only did he implement a set of cultural mandates that included standing for the anthem twice a day and eating with a fork and spoon, but he also ordered a crackdown on what he saw as uncivilised, pauper-like attire. Schoolgirls had to look presentable, so out with those ugly sarongs and in with the more eye-pleasing skirt. Businessmen had to look smart too, which meant tossing out the longyis and sandals in favour of a shirt, tie and jacket.

The fear of Western influence however continues to this day and often finds its way into economics. Every now and then, we hear high-ranking officials telling us that the rights of all foreigners in the country must be limited to stave off a foreign takeover. However, if you look back on the country's past, foreigners have been influencing Thailand in this way for hundreds of years. Take the noble Bunnag family of the nineteenth century. They have gone down positively as one of the most powerful and influential families in Thai history.

Were they Phuket natives?

I'm afraid they were not; they came from Persia. A leader in another field, the man considered the "father of modern Thai art", Silpa Bhirasri, was an Italian. In fact, you could fill this whole newspaper with stories of how foreigners have had a positive influence on Thai society.

I would like to suggest, therefore, that the Culture Ministry and Thai media stop promoting xenophobia, come to grips with reality and realise that Thai culture isn't as perfect as they wish it was. To deny any fault in favour of blaming Western influence for every trace of decadence in Thai society not only comes off as being naive about historical facts, but also sounds like one lame excuse.

Stephen Cleary

The Nation

SUPHAN BURI