Thai Culture and Society

8/10/2019 Thai Culture and Society

1/68

THAI CULTURE ANDSOCIETIES

Chuleewan PraneethamJanuary 2012


2/68

Content

General Information(geography, population, language, symbol,economic)HistoryCultureDos and Donts Official Holidays 2012Coordinating Agent in ThailandQuiz


3/68


4/68

4

Geography

Heart of the Southeast Asian mainland

Area: of 513,115 sq.km. (50 th )

North-South: 1,620 km

East to West: 775 km

Borders:North Myanmar and Lao PDR

East - Cambodia andand the Gulf of Thailand

West - Myanmarand the Indian Ocean

South Malaysia


5/68

Geography (cont.)

5

Six-region system

NorthNortheast WestCentralEastSouth


6/68

6

The North , a mountainous region, comprises naturalforests, ridges and deep, narrow, alluvial valleys. Theleading city of this region is Chiang Mai.

Central Thailand , the basin of the Chao Phraya River,is a lush, fertile valley. It is the richest and mostextensive rice-producing area in the country and hasoften been called the "Rice Bowl of Asia." Bangkok, thecapital of Thailand, is located in this region.

The Northeast region , or the Korat Plateau, is an aridregion characterized by a rolling surface and undulating

hills. Harsh climatic conditions often result in this regionbeing subjected to floods and droughts.

The Southern region , hilly to mountainous, with thickvirgin forests and rich deposits of minerals and ores.This region is the center for the production of rubberand the cultivation of other tropical crops.

Four NaturalRegions


7/68

7

The climate is tropical with long hours of sunshine and highhumidity.

There are three seasons:

Average temperature is 20

c - 37

c.

Climate

Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb

HOT Rainy Cool


8/68

8

Thai Flag

King Rama VI and was first used on September 28, 1917 (95 years)

Red represents for The Nation: life-blood of Thai people

White represents for The Religion: the purity of Buddhism

Blue symbolises for The King

The flag is raised daily at 8.00 am and lowered at 6.00 pm at allofficial buildings, public places, large private enterprises, andschools, usually to the accompaniment of the Thai National Anthem.


9/68

9

National Anthem

The national anthem was adopted in 1939 (73 years).

A literal translation

Thailand embraces in its bosom all people of Thai blood,Every inch of Thailand belongs to the Thais.It has long maintained its sovereignty,Because the Thais have always been united.

The Thai people are peace-loving, But they are no cowards at war.Nor shall they suffer tyranny.

All Thais are ready to give up every drop of blood,For the nation's safety, freedom and progress.


10/68

10

National Symbol/ Emblem

Garuda

A mythical half bird, half

human figure

Figure from both Buddhistand Hindu mythology

Used as a symbol of theroyal family and authority


11/68

11

Population

Total population is 67 Million (January, 2011)

1. Bangkok: 8.25 Million2. Nakhon Ratchasima: 2.58 Million3. Ubon Ratchathani: 1.81 Million4. Khon Kaen: 1,76 Million

77. Ranong: 183,079


12/68

Religious

Buddhists94.6%

Muslims4.6%

Christains0.8%


13/68

13

Language

National and Official Language: ThaiEnglish is its unofficial second languageSome words in Thai are borrowed from Pali,Sanskrit and old Khmer.The word Thai means Freedom in Thailanguage.

Speaking Thai and Written ThaiThe Thai language is comprised of 44

consonants, 32 vowels and five tones in Thai

pronunciation.


14/68

14

Language (cont.)

Thai letters do not have small and capitalforms like the Roman alphabet.No space between wordsWord order is

Subject Verb (adverb) Object(adjective)

the subject is often omitted


15/68

15

GDP : $ 584.8 billion (2010)

GDP per capita : 9,187$

Exports : textiles and footwear, fishery products, rice, rubber, jewelry, automobiles, computers and electrical appliances

Imports : intermediate goods and raw materials, consumer

goods, fuels

Agriculture products : rice, rubber, corn, sugarcane,coconuts, soybeans

Economy


16/68

16

Natural resources: tin, natural gas, tungsten,tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite,fluorite, arable land

Industries : tourism, textiles and garments,agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco,cement, light manufacturing such as jewelry andelectric appliances, computers and parts,

integrated circuits, furniture, plastics,automobiles (Toyota, Honda, General Motor,Masda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Isuzu, Benz, BMW)and automotive parts

Economy (cont.)


17/68

17

RegionalDisparities in

ThailandPovertyincidence byprovince

Povertyconcentrated inNE and someborder provincesin North & South

Source: NSO, NESDB


18/68

History


19/68

History

There are conflicting opinions as to the origins of theThais. Three decades ago it could be said withpresumed certainty that the Thais originated inNorthwestern Szechuan in China about 4,500 years ago

and later migrated down to their present homeland.However, this theory has been altered by the discoveryof remarkable prehistoric artifacts in the village of BanChiang in the Nong Han District of Udon Thani Province.

These include evidence of bronze metallurgy going back3,500 years , as well as other indications of a far moresophisticated culture than any previously suspected byarchaeologists. It now appears that the a Thais mighthave originated here in Thailand and later scattered tovarious parts of Asia, including some parts of China.


20/68

History (cont.)

Sukothai Period from 1238 to 1438 (200years)Ayutthaya Period from 1351 to 1767 (416years)Thonburi Period from 1767 to 1782 (15 years)

Rattanakosin Period from 1782 until thepresent (230 years)


21/68

Culture


22/68

Culture

The Wai is the common form of greeting andadheres to strict rules of protocol.The wai is both a sign of respect as well as agreeting.The person who is junior in age or status is thefirst one to offer the wai.


23/68

23

Thai Clothes: Eight Styles of ThaiNational Costumes

Thai ChakriInformal ceremonies

Thai BoromphimanEvening ceremonies


24/68


25/68

25

Thai Clothes:

Thai ChakraphadNational ceremonies

Thai AmarintraEvening ceremonies


26/68

26

Thai Clothes:

Thai ChitraladaTemple, day time ceremonies Thai Reun Ton

Katin, waterfall


27/68

27

Thai Silk


28/68

28

Thai Dance Northeastern Folk Dance

BlessingDance

Northern Dance

Central Dance Southern

Dance

Ancient Dance


29/68

29

Songkran

the traditional Thai NewYear is celebrated everyyear between 13-15 April. The most obvious

celebration of Songkranis the throwing of water .Songkran days are also

considered the family


30/68

30


31/68

Loi Krathong

romantic event on thefull moon night inNovember in which

homage is paid to theMother of Waters. Allover the country, people

gather at the rivers,ponds and lakes underthe moonlight to floatkrathongs, small lotus-shaped offerings


32/68

Food: Rice

Rice Sticky Rice


33/68

Hot and Spicy Shrimp

Soup

F d K Khi W K i


34/68

Food: Kaeng Khiao Wan KaiGreen Chicken Curry

F d P d Th i


35/68

Food: Pad ThaiThai Style Fried Noodle


36/68

Minced Pork with Sweet

Basil

F d K Ph P d Y


37/68

Food: Kaeng Phet Ped YangRoasted Duck Curry

F d T Kh K i


38/68

Food: Tom Kha KaiChicken in Coconut Soup

F d Y N


39/68

Food: Yam NuaSpicy Beef Salad

oo : oo a e


40/68

oo : oo a- eRoasted Pork coated with

Turmeric

oo : a a e amuang


41/68

oo : a a e amuangHimmaphan

Chicken with Cashew Nuts


42/68

Meet with Coconut

Cream


43/68

Food: Som Tum


44/68

Sport

Thai Boxing or " Muey Thai "Muey Thai has musical accompaniment whichconsists of a drum or " Krong " small brasscymbals called " Ching Chup " and a Thai clarinetcommonly called " Pee ." At the being of eachfight the contenders dance to the rhythm of themusic around the ring to pay homage to theirrespective Archarn or Kru Muey [teacher],usually for five to ten minutes.


45/68

Transportation: Sam Lor


46/68


47/68

Dos and Donts


48/68

Dos and Donts

The Monarchy Not tolerate any lack respect towards any

members of the royal family. (tolerate=

) Criticism of the king and royal family is not just

frowned upon in Thailand; it is against the law

a punishable offence that is taken veryseriously.E.g. 2002 two journalists from the Far EasternEconomic Review


49/68

Dos and Donts (cont.)

Religion Always dress politely when entering a temple or

religious shrine.

E.g. Wat Prakeaw forbids you from entering ifyou are dressed inappropriately.


50/68


Buddha Images Buddha images are sacred, whatever size or

condition. (sacred = )

Never climb on a Buddha imageBe very careful about taking photos some

images are so sacred photographs are

forbidden.Do not point your feet at the Buddha which is an

act of sacrilege (sacrilege = )


51/68


Buddhist Monks Not allowed to touch or be touched by a woman

or accept anything a woman might offer

Not shake a mans hand that type of contact isforbidden.

Monks travel on public transport and require the

same respect there as they would receive atthe temple. Usually, special seats are allocatedfor monks only dont sit in them!


52/68


Shoes Do not wear shoes inside a temple where

Buddha images are kept.

Take your shoes off before entering someoneshome.


53/68


Greetings Thais do not shake hands; they wai

The junior person in age or status is the first oneto offer the wai to older persons in age.

The senior person returns the wai, generally with

their hands raised to somewhere around theirchest.


54/68


The Head Thais regard the head as the highest part of the

body

Touching someones head is entirelyunacceptable.


55/68


The Feet Whereas the head is the highest point of the

body, the feet are the lowest.

Do not point at things with your feetDo not point the palms of your feet at anyone


56/68


Drugs Thailand takes drugs very seriously and is trying

to eradicate unlawful drugs entirely.

Dont either partake or trade in illegalsubstances.

Clubs and places of entertainment are

sometimes raided and people made to putforward urine samples. If you test positive,penalties will be harsh.

Trading in drugs will lead to the death penalty orlikely decades in prison.


57/68


Drugs Thailand takes drugs very seriously and is trying

to eradicate unlawful drugs entirely.

Dont either partake or trade in illegalsubstances.

Clubs and places of entertainment are

sometimes raided and people made to putforward urine samples. If you test positive,penalties will be harsh.

Trading in drugs will lead to the death penalty orlikely decades in prison.


58/68


Kissing Kissing, cuddling and similar behaviour in public

are unacceptable especially amongst older

Thais.


59/68


Smoking, discarding cigarette stubs, ordropping rubbish

Smoking, discarding cigarette stubs, or dropping

rubbish in public areas in the street is illegal you can be fined 2,000 Baht.


60/68


Shout in publicIt's unusual in Thailand and that makes you look

ridiculous

Calling by first nameThais generally use first rather than surnames,

with the honorific title Khun before the name.Khun is an all- purpose form of address that isappropriate for both men and women

Business Etiquette and


61/68

Business Etiquette andProtocol

Relationships & Communication . Relationships develop slowly, it may take several

meetings.

. Thai communication is formal and non-verbalcommunication is often more important thanverbal communication.

. Rank is always respected. The eldest person inthe group is revered.

. Watch your body language and facialexpressions, as these will be believed over your

words.

Business Etiquette and Protocol


62/68

Business Etiquette and Protocol(cont.)

Business Meeting Etiquette . Appointments are necessary and should be

made one month in advance.

. Send a list of who will be attending the meetingand their credentials to show the relativestatus of the people attending meeting forproperly plan.

. Arrive at meetings on time as it signifiesrespect for the person you are meeting.

.

Business Etiquette and Protocol


63/68

Business Etiquette and Protocol(cont.)

Business Meeting Etiquette . Always send an agenda, material and data to

substantiate the position prior to the meeting.

Allow sufficient time for the material to bereviewed and digested.

. Written material should be available in bothEnglish and Thai.


64/68

Official Holidays 2012

Official Holidays 2012


65/68

Official Holidays 2012 1. Tuesday 3 January Substitution for New Years Day

(Sunday 1 January ) 2. Wednesday 7 March Makha Bucha Day 3. Friday 6 April Chakri Memorial Day 4. Friday 13 April Songkran Festival 5. Monday 16 April Substitution for Songkran Festival

(Saturday 14 April) 6. Tuesday 17 April Substitution for Songkran Festival

(Sunday 15 April) 7. Monday 7 May Substitution for Coronation Day(Saturday 5 May)

8. Monday 4 June Wisakha Bucha Day 9. Thursday 2 August Asarnha Bucha Day 10. Monday 13 August Substitution for H.M. the Queens Birthday

(Sunday 12 August) 11 Tuesday 23 October Chulalongkorn Memorial Day(Sunday 23 October )

12. Wednesday 5 December H.M. the Kings Birthday 13. Monday 10 December Constitution Day 14. Monday 31 December New Years Eve


66/68

Coordinating Agent inThailand


67/68


68/68

Thank you for you attention

Thai Culture and Society

Documents

Transcript of Thai Culture and Society