Thai Culture
Every culture act in ways that can be seen as weird and unfamiliar. If you ever travel to Thailand, you will notice unfamiliar behaviors as well. Thais are relaxed, welcoming, and immersed in ancient beliefs and customs. They greet each other with a gesture known as the wai and varies depending on someone’s status and social standing. When communicating with each other, Thais use words that indicates a person’s age. They use pee (พี่) for someone older and nung (น้อง) for someone younger.
Thailand is known as the “Land of Smiles.” They are quite friendly but rarely display negative emotions. This doesn’t mean they aren’t displayed in private, or that the emotions aren’t there, simply that a person does not want to lose face by showing their feelings in public. A common phrase shared by many Thais is “mai bpen rai,” (ไม่เป็นไร) which translates to “it’s ok.” They often agree to things even if they have no intention of following through. The heavy emphasis on masking true feelings requires a foreigner to walk gently and communicate in ways that might be unfamiliar. Also, Thais sometimes communicate and are unlikely to say anything that would hurt or offend anyone.
Thais are very conservative. Women wear shorts as an extra layer and men put on tight underwear underneath boxers before putting on their pants. The head is seen as the most spiritual part of the body, and you should never touch a person’s head. Thais are not touchy-feely in general and public displays of affection are a big taboo. Thais tend to take criticism personally, so any negative comment should be softened. You might not even notice when they disapprove of something, They might just walk away politely or comment that you must be tired.
It is common for Thais to have nicknames. The tradition originated from a desire to trick evil spirits who might want to steal the baby. Often connected to the belief of ghosts and spirits, Thailand is a land of superstitions. It’s common for people to consult a fortune teller or monk for favorable dates before arranging a wedding, buying a home, or test driving a car. The national anthem is played twice/day with the expectation that people will stop and stand until the song is finished. Students in school stand in front of the raised flag and sing the national anthem every day. The Flag Act of 1979 decreed that those who do not observe the custom by standing in silence during the anthem are subject to a fine of up to 2,000 baht and not more than one year in prison. The royal anthem is also played before the start of movies, concerts, and sporting events. All are expected to stand.
Bangkok Post columnist Paritta Wangkiat maintains that “Thais are expected to "know their place" in society. Because people fear to speak out, submissiveness to authority makes it a "perfect place for an authoritarian regime. Persons who stand up for their beliefs and challenge the status quo are scorned as people who don't know their proper place in society. Thai culture places great emphasis on hierarchy and knowing one's place in it.” Writer Wasant Techawongtham observed, "Everybody in Thailand know, we are a society of conformity. We conform to tradition, to authority, to power, to wealth. There is little room for people to think outside the box or to imagine the impossible. And what little window of opportunity exists for civilians, that window is forever closed for government workers.”
https://www.commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/thailand-guide
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Thailand
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Interesting read!
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