THAI CULTURE AND

SOCIETIES
Chuleewan Praneetham
January 2012

Content

General Information
(geography, population, language, symbol,
economic)
History
Culture
Dos and Donts
Official Holidays 2012
Coordinating Agent in Thailand
Quiz

General Information

Geography
Heart of the Southeast Asian mainland

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

North-South: 1,620 km
East to West: 775 km

Borders:
North Myanmar and Lao PDR
East -

Cambodia and
and the Gulf of Thailand

West - Myanmar
and the Indian Ocean
South Malaysia
4

Geography (cont.)

Six-region system
North
Northeast
West
Central
East
South

Four Natural
Regions
The North, a mountainous region, comprises natural
forests, ridges and deep, narrow, alluvial valleys. The
leading 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 most
extensive rice-producing area in the country and has
often been called the "Rice Bowl of Asia." Bangkok, the
capital of Thailand, is located in this region.
The Northeast region, or the Korat Plateau, is an arid
region characterized by a rolling surface and undulating
hills. Harsh climatic conditions often result in this region
being subjected to floods and droughts.
The Southern region, hilly to mountainous, with thick
virgin forests and rich deposits of minerals and ores.
This region is the center for the production of rubber
and the cultivation of other tropical crops.
6

Climate
The climate is tropical with long hours of sunshine and high
humidity.
There are three seasons:

Mar Apr May Jun

HOT

Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb

Rainy

Average temperature is 20c - 37c.

Cool

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 all
official buildings, public places, large private enterprises, and
schools, usually to the accompaniment of the Thai National Anthem.
8

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.
9

National Symbol/ Emblem

Garuda
A mythical half bird, half
human figure

Figure from both Buddhist

and Hindu mythology
Used as a symbol of the
royal family and authority
10

Population
Total population is 67 Million (January, 2011)
1. Bangkok: 8.25 Million
2. Nakhon Ratchasima: 2.58 Million
3. Ubon Ratchathani: 1.81 Million
4. Khon Kaen: 1,76 Million
77. Ranong: 183,079

11

Religious
Muslims
4.6%

Christains
0.8%

Buddhists
94.6%

Language
National and Official Language: Thai
English is its unofficial second language
Some words in Thai are borrowed from Pali,
Sanskrit and old Khmer.
The word Thai means Freedom in Thai
language.
Speaking Thai and Written Thai
The Thai language is comprised of 44
consonants, 32 vowels and five tones in Thai
pronunciation.
13

Language (cont.)

Thai letters do not have small and capital

forms like the Roman alphabet.
No space between words
Word order is
Subject Verb (adverb) Object
(adjective)
the subject is often omitted

14

Economy
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
15

Economy (cont.)
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 and
electric appliances, computers and parts,
integrated circuits, furniture, plastics,
automobiles (Toyota, Honda, General Motor,
Masda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Isuzu, Benz, BMW)
and automotive parts
16

Regional
Disparities in
Thailand
Poverty
incidence by
province
Poverty
concentrated in
NE and some
border provinces
in North & South

Source: NSO, NESDB

17

History

History

There are conflicting opinions as to the origins of the

Thais. Three decades ago it could be said with
presumed certainty that the Thais originated in
Northwestern Szechuan in China about 4,500 years ago
and later migrated down to their present homeland.
However, this theory has been altered by the discovery
of remarkable prehistoric artifacts in the village of Ban
Chiang in the Nong Han District of Udon Thani Province.
These include evidence of bronze metallurgy going back
3,500 years, as well as other indications of a far more
sophisticated culture than any previously suspected by
archaeologists. It now appears that the a Thais might
have originated here in Thailand and later scattered to
various parts of Asia, including some parts of China.

History (cont.)

Sukothai Period from 1238 to 1438 (200

years)
Ayutthaya Period from 1351 to 1767 (416
years)
Thonburi Period from 1767 to 1782 (15 years)
Rattanakosin Period from 1782 until the
present (230 years)

Culture

Culture

The Wai is the common form of greeting and

adheres to strict rules of protocol.
The wai is both a sign of respect as well as a
greeting.
The person who is junior in age or status is the
first one to offer the wai.

Thai Clothes: Eight Styles of Thai

National Costumes
Thai Chakri
Informal ceremonies

Thai Boromphiman
Evening ceremonies

23

Thai Clothes:
Thai Siwalai
Wedding, dinner

Thai Dusit
Evening parties

24

Thai Clothes:
Thai Chakraphad
National ceremonies

Thai Amarintra
Evening ceremonies

25

Thai Clothes:
Thai Chitralada
Temple, day time ceremonies

Thai Reun Ton

Katin, waterfall

26

Thai Silk

27

Thai DanceNortheastern Folk Dance

Northern Dance Ancient Dance

Central Dance
Blessing
28
Dance

Southern
Dance

Songkran

the traditional Thai New

Year is celebrated every
year between 13-15
April. The most obvious
celebration of Songkran
is the throwing of water.
Songkran days are also
considered the family

29

30

Loi Krathong

romantic event on the

full moon night in
November in which
homage is paid to the
Mother of Waters. All
over the country, people
gather at the rivers,
ponds and lakes under
the moonlight to float
krathongs, small lotusshaped offerings

Food: Rice
Rice

Sticky Rice

Food: Tom Yum Kung

Hot and Spicy Shrimp
Soup

Food: Kaeng Khiao Wan Kai

Green Chicken Curry

Food: Pad Thai

Thai Style Fried Noodle

Food: Pad Kaphrao

Minced Pork with Sweet
Basil

Food: Kaeng Phet Ped Yang

Roasted Duck Curry

Food: Tom Kha Kai

Chicken in Coconut Soup

Food: Yam Nua

Spicy Beef Salad

Food: Moo Sa-te

Roasted Pork coated with
Turmeric

Food: Kai Pad Med Mamuang

Himmaphan
Chicken with Cashew Nuts

Food: Kaeng Phanaeng

Meet with Coconut
Cream

Food: Som Tum

Sport

Thai Boxing or "Muey Thai"

Muey Thai has musical accompaniment which
consists of a drum or "Krong" small brass
cymbals called "Ching Chup" and a Thai clarinet
commonly called " Pee." At the being of each
fight the contenders dance to the rhythm of the
music around the ring to pay homage to their
respective Archarn or Kru Muey [teacher],
usually for five to ten minutes.

Transportation: Sam Lor

Transportation: Tuk Tuk

Dos and Donts

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 very
seriously.
E.g. 2002 two journalists from the Far Eastern
Economic Review

Dos and Donts (cont.)

Religion
Always dress politely when entering a temple or
religious shrine.
E.g. Wat Prakeaw forbids you from entering if
you are dressed inappropriately.

Dos and Donts (cont.)

Buddha Images
Buddha images are sacred, whatever size or
condition. (sacred = )

Never climb on a Buddha image

Be 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 = )

Dos and Donts (cont.)

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 is
forbidden.
Monks travel on public transport and require the
same respect there as they would receive at
the temple. Usually, special seats are allocated
for monks only dont sit in them!

Dos and Donts (cont.)

Shoes
Do not wear shoes inside a temple where
Buddha images are kept.
Take your shoes off before entering someones
home.

Dos and Donts (cont.)

Greetings
Thais do not shake hands; they wai

The junior person in age or status is the first one

to offer the wai to older persons in age.
The senior person returns the wai, generally with
their hands raised to somewhere around their
chest.

Dos and Donts (cont.)

The Head
Thais regard the head as the highest part of the
body
Touching someones head is entirely
unacceptable.

Dos and Donts (cont.)

The Feet
Whereas the head is the highest point of the
body, the feet are the lowest.
Do not point at things with your feet
Do not point the palms of your feet at anyone

Dos and Donts (cont.)

Drugs
Thailand takes drugs very seriously and is trying
to eradicate unlawful drugs entirely.
Dont either partake or trade in illegal
substances.
Clubs and places of entertainment are
sometimes raided and people made to put
forward urine samples. If you test positive,
penalties will be harsh.
Trading in drugs will lead to the death penalty or
likely decades in prison.

Dos and Donts (cont.)

Drugs
Thailand takes drugs very seriously and is trying
to eradicate unlawful drugs entirely.
Dont either partake or trade in illegal
substances.
Clubs and places of entertainment are
sometimes raided and people made to put
forward urine samples. If you test positive,
penalties will be harsh.
Trading in drugs will lead to the death penalty or
likely decades in prison.

Dos and Donts (cont.)

Kissing
Kissing, cuddling and similar behaviour in public
are unacceptable especially amongst older
Thais.

Dos and Donts (cont.)

Smoking, discarding cigarette stubs, or
dropping rubbish
Smoking, discarding cigarette stubs, or dropping
rubbish in public areas in the street is illegal
you can be fined 2,000 Baht.

Dos and Donts (cont.)

Shout in public
It's unusual in Thailand and that makes you look
ridiculous

Calling by first name

Thais generally use first rather than surnames,
with the honorific title Khun before the name.
Khun is an all- purpose form of address that is
appropriate for both men and women

Business Etiquette and

Protocol
Relationships & Communication
. Relationships develop slowly, it may take several
meetings.
. Thai communication is formal and non-verbal
communication is often more important than
verbal communication.
. Rank is always respected. The eldest person in
the group is revered.
. Watch your body language and facial
expressions, as these will be believed over your
words.

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 meeting
and their credentials to show the relative
status of the people attending meeting for
properly plan.
. Arrive at meetings on time as it signifies
respect for the person you are meeting.
.

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 be
reviewed and digested.
. Written material should be available in both
English and Thai.

Official Holidays 2012

Official Holidays 2012

1. Tuesday

2. Wednesday
3. Friday
4. Friday
5. Monday

7
6
13
16

6. Tuesday

17

7. Monday

8. Monday
9. Thursday
10. Monday

4
2
13

11 Tuesday

23

12. Wednesday
13. Monday
14. Monday

5
10
31

January Substitution for New Years Day

(Sunday 1 January)
March Makha Bucha Day
April
Chakri Memorial Day
April
Songkran Festival
April
Substitution for Songkran Festival
(Saturday 14 April)
April
Substitution for Songkran Festival
(Sunday 15 April)
May
Substitution for Coronation Day
(Saturday 5 May)
June
Wisakha Bucha Day
August Asarnha Bucha Day
August Substitution for H.M. the Queens Birthday
(Sunday 12 August)
October Chulalongkorn Memorial Day
(Sunday 23 October)
December
H.M. the Kings Birthday
December
Constitution Day
December
New Years Eve

Coordinating Agent in
Thailand

Coordinating Agent in Thailand

Recipient's Address:
Ms. Suchada Thaibunthao
Acting Director General
Thailand International Development Cooperation Agency
(TICA)
The Government Complex
Building B (South Zone), 8th Floor,
Laksi District, Bangkok 10210 Thailand
Contact Person:
Ms. Pin Durongkhatham
Tel. +66 (0) 2 203 5000 Fax. +66 (0)2 203 5001

Thank you for you attention