Sawadee Krap This is a module to give you an idea of the Thai Culture and Mannerism. This knowledge may help when you are visiting Thailand. Click on a particular topic in the Navigation Map on the right to go to a particular topic. Alternatively, use the navigation buttons at the bottom right to move between the pages or return to the Home Page. We hope you find this module useful. Enjoy the module.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES To be able: To explain the 5 aspects of Thai Culture To explain the 6 aspects of Thai Mannerism

ABOUT THAILAND….. LAND AREA : 513, 000 Sq Km POPULATION : 65 Million RELIGION : Buddhism (94%) Muslim (4%) CLIMATE : Tropical LANGUAGE : Thai / English CURRENCY : Baht TIME ZONE : UTC + 7 MAIN SOURCE OF REVENUE : Exports

THAI FESTIVITIES – SONGKRAN Thai New Year Also known as Water Festival 13 to 15 Apr each year People return to Provinces

THAI FESTIVITIES – LOY KRATHONG Paying Respect to Water Spirit Full Month of 12th Month of Thai Year Made of Styrofoam, Banana Leaves, Flowers and Candles

THAI FESTIVITIES – KING’S BIRTHDAY 5 Dec 1927 Parade to Commemorate World Dignitaries Invited Country beautifully decorated Most Business Closed

THAI CULTURE

THAILAND….. … also known as LAND OF SMILES

THE WAI Traditional Thai Greeting Form of Respect Hands Pressed together, head lowered Normal - Chest Level Dignitary - Nose Level Royalty - Forehead Level Offered by Junior to Senior Wai not returned to Children, Hotel Staff, Taxi Drivers, Waiters

THE LANGUAGE Sentence usually ends with : “Krap” for Man “Ka” for Woman Form of Politeness 5 tones 44 Consonants, 32 Vowels Careful with pronounciation, may change meaning if pronounced wrongly

NICKNAMES Reflection of “Sabai-Sabai” (Relaxed) Culture One Syllable Name of Animals, Colour, Size etc e.g. Goong - Prawn Daeng - Red Lek - Small Used more by Woman More commonly used than Formal Name

ADDRESSING PEOPLE Khun followed by Name or Nickname e.g. Khun Andrew, Khun Nattiphol “Pii” – For Older or Senior Person “Nong” – For Younger or Junior Person

MONKHOOD Common for Men to serve as Monks for 3 months Age 20 Serve before becoming soldiers Important Act Must be free from debt

THAI MANNERISM

THE KING Reign since 1946 Revered by Thais Do not criticise the King Do not intentionally step on Thai Coins and notes

THE HEAD Regarded as Most Sacred part of body Head deemed to be source of Intelligence Avoid touching Do not use foot to point to the head Considered Disrespectful

THE LEGS Regarded as Unclean Do not use feet to point at things, especially people’s head Remove shoes when visiting homes & temples Sit with feet tucked at the side or cross-legged

THE CLOTHES Dress Conservatively Wrong Impression Considered Unfriendly Clothing from lower part of body, not to be left in high places

PHYSICAL CONTACT Avoid Intimacy in Public Against Thai Etiquette Ladies should not touch Monks

GIFTS Avoid sharp objects When receive sharp objects, return coin to giver Flowers – Avoid Marigold & Carnation Avoid Green, Black & Blue Colour Wrapper

IN SUMMARY…… Thai Festivities Songkran, Loy Krathong, King’s Birthday Thai Culture The Wai, Language, Nickname, Addressing People Thai Mannerisms - The King, Head, Leg, Physical Contact, Clothes and Gifts