Will Western pop culture destroy national culture in Thailand and Malaysia?

Will pop culture destroy national culture in

Malaysia and Thailand?

Pop culture can be seen as an after thought of Globalisation. As the world becomes more interconnected people from all over the globe are able to communicate on a daily basis and more frequently than ever before. Regions that are having difficulty from coping with this 'seemingly harmless' popular culture can be found in the Asian region. It is a widespread fear amongst the older generations of places like Malaysia and Thailand that national culture will soon be forgotten with the 'Westernisation of the world'.

In order to prove the dominance of Westernised pop culture and how the Influence of the 'West' is destroying the national culture of the 'East' it is necessary to look at the youth, the environment and tribes of Thailand and Malaysia.

The Youth

Pop culture in Malaysia and Thailand is highly focused around the youth of the country as consumers and therefore being in a word 'brainwashed' with western culture such as McDonalds.

Popular Culture

cars parking at night in malaysia

English: Boxing match in Bangkok,Thailand. http://...

As a gross generalisation 'MTV' is often seen as the biggest threat to national culture as Malays and Thai's try to emulate their American idols. " Part of the Malaysian and Thai problem however is due to the lack of support for local pop culture, leaving teens with no option other than western models to express their individuality and youthful values"

It is common among Islamic intellectuals to say to say that Malaysian 'head figures' have actually neglected the opportunities of pop culture. Pop culture (meaning western youth culture) has been allowed to mould the youth of Malaysia because governments have been too concerned with the economic development and in disregarding pop culture have lost their youth devotion to 'home culture'. An example of this rejection of 'home culture can be see...