Some fads know no bounds and they catch up amazingly fast. It is weird how Hitler reached Thailand and gained popularity so fast among the youngsters. It seems that it was first a graphic design of Hitler’s face on the tee shirts that became popular. Later on the Swastika tattoo became famous along with SS style bikes; even soft toys performing the Nazi salute went off the shelves super fast. Kids have taken a bizarre liking to the Nazi style of dressing and the Fuhrer seems to have become their style icon. They pose on the streets smiling and showing their tooth gaps beside a life sized model or cut out of Hitler.
The frenzy has caught up with the adults as well. This is evident from a recent Nazi style fashion show organized by a school’s teachers and authorities. Hitler cannot be an idol for young kids. They get influenced easily and as we all know the vile crimes that Hitler committed by putting 12 million innocent people to death during the Holocaust steps need to be taken to remove this craziness about the Nazis and their leader. Some school kids dressed as the SS soldiers at a sports parade event in a school located in Chang Mai. Itzhak Shoham, who is the Ambassador of Israel posted in Thailand, has expressed remorse regarding this fashion fad which is being called ‘Hitler-Chic’ in Thailand.
Shoham says that the craze and fascination regarding the Nazis have hurt the Jew community deeply. Though Thailand was unharmed in the World War II, a complete lack of historical knowledge regarding it is surprising and unfortunate. The government should have acquainted the children about the effects of that war and taught them how Hitler’s deeds affected so many lives adversely. Many foreigners have expressed anger and surprise at such a fad and demanded some governmental step to curb it. On the other hand some people have taken this just as humorous and even blogged supporting it and asking if people of the world have lost their sense of humor. Similar reaction has been received from the elite’s of Thai culture. KFC got dragged and involved when pictures of a new fried chicken restaurant started being circulated via Twitter. This new restaurant is named after the Fuhrer has pasted the face of Hitler on the Colonel Sanders body.
