Hitler spotted in Buddhist Thailand (video)

John Oliver, Last Week Tonight; Ashley Wells, Sheldon S., Dhr. Seven, CC Liu, Wisdom Quarterly

Thailand is just about the most Buddhist country in the world, with 94.6% of the population adhering to the Theravada tradition.

But the nation is a modern capitalist, trying-to-be-Japan economy, though it still plays second fiddle to Singapore. Bangkok has a very strong pro-Israel bias, and many Jewish Israelis do business in and travel to just about the friendliest travel destination in the world.

Ronald McDonald as Hitler in Bangkok shop

There are many Muslims living in Southern Thailand, a paradise of sunny beaches and scuba diving destinations, influenced by neighboring Islamic Malaysia.

So it's odd that this Southeast Asian kingdom, now a semi-monarchy with a new king who didn't really want to be king, loves its Nazi imagery. Swastikas are cool, as is at least one faraway dictator (the local military autocrat being despised).

This is the most generous country, very superstitious, addicted to ghost stories, and is not succumbing to Western versions of history even if Israel and England protest.

The image of Hitler is alive and well -- ask local American expat resident Eric Dubay -- in spite of all of the anti-Germany propaganda the U.S., Europe, and Israel have promoted, much to the delight and bemusement of tourists from all over, including Israel, Europe, and the U.S.