The emerging market for Nazi paraphernalia in Southeast Asia has come to the spotlight. Is it ignorance or admiration?
As anti-Semitism rears its ugly head across the globe, with incidents rising in Europe, the U.S., South America and elsewhere, there appears to be a serious lack of education about the Holocaust in southeast Asia.
The emerging market for Nazi paraphernalia came to light recently when 19-year-old singing sensation Namsai, part of the successful Thai teen band BNK48, was filmed during a rehearsal wearing a top with a Nazi flag and swastika, prompting outrage from the Israeli Embassy.
She and others who were interviewed said they had no idea what the symbols meant. Some offered an interesting glimpse into the culture of the Far East, discussing how the creeping of Nazi symbols into public space could have happened.