THAILAND

Culture Name: THAI

Alternative Name: SIAM/SIAMESE, CENTRAL THAI

I.

IDENTIFICATION
The name "Thailand" is associated with the dominant ethnic group, Thai.
Thailand was never under European colonial rule. It was an absolute monarchy until
1932, when it became a constitutional monarchy. In 1939 the country's name was
changed from Siam to Thailand.

II.

LOCATION AND GEOGRAPHY

The Kingdom of Thailand has an area of 198,114 square miles (513,115
square kilometers). The country is commonly divided into four main regions and
borders Burma, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia. The northern region is hilly, with
much of its population concentrated in upland valleys and the flood plains of rivers;
the dominant geographic feature is the Khorat Plateau. The southern region is a
narrow isthmus with hills running down the center.
The Thai (also known as the Central Tai) live mainly in the central region,
with closely related groups of Tai-speaking peoples occupying most of the remainder
of the nation.

III.

BRIEF HISTORY

Evidence of an agricultural civilization with metallurgical capabilities has been found in

Northeastern Thailand; the earliest bronze artifacts date back to approximately 3,000 years ago.

5th or 6th century - Tai-speaking peoples began migrating from northern Vietnam and
southern Yunnan into areas adjacent to the Mekong River.
8th and 9th Century - Mon states influenced by Indian civilization occupied portions of
central and northern Thailand, where they were referred to as Dvaravati. In Thailand, the
most important Mon center was Nakhon Pathom west of Bangkok.

11th Century Mon influence declined as the Khmer invaded the area from the east. The
Khmer occupied not only the Mon areas, but part of northeastern Thailand. Tai peoples
living in central Thailand came under Khmer control as the Khmer empire expanded. The
Khmer referred to the Tai as Siams.

12th Century - The Tai in the vicinity of Sukhothai revolted against the Khmer rulers and
established a kingdom that promoted a writing system that formed the basis of modern
Thai. In the wake of declining Khmer power, the center of Thai power shifted south to
Ayutthaya, which was founded in 1351. In the north, the kingdom of Lan Na was founded
in 1259. The Lao kingdom of Lan Sang was founded in 1353 and came to include much
of northeastern Thailand.

16th Century - Ayutthaya was attacked by the Khmer and in the sixteenth century briefly
came under Burmese control. After pushing the Burmese back, the Thai established a new
capital at Thonburi. Chao Phraya Chakkri became king in 1782 and founded Bangkok.
He then named himself as King Rama III.

1930s 1970s - A group of young Thais who had studied abroad staged a coup and
transformed the country into a constitutional monarchy. From 1935 to 1945, a military
dictator, Phibun Song-khram (commonly known as Phibun), ruled the country. Phibun
changed the name of Siam to Thailand. In 1945, there was a brief return to civilian
government, and the country's name was changed back to Siam.

1980s - A more moderate government headed by Prem Tinsulanonda assumed office.

Prem is credited with achieving political and economic stability. This period saw the end
of a communist insurgency in the countryside, a gradual transition to democracy and
economic growth.

1990s 2000s - A new constitution was passed and an election was held in 1992,
returning the country to civilian rule. After a subsequent period of political and economic
instability a far more democratically reformist constitution was promulgated in late 1997.
National elections were held under this constitution in early 2001.

IV.

DEMOGRAPHY
The population estimate for 2000 is approximately 62 million. There are about
75 ethnic groups, and approximately 84 percent of the population is Thai, including
people from other Tai-speaking ethnic groups; the Thai, constitute about 36 percent of
the population. The Thai-Lao account for about 32 percent of the population; their
territory formerly was part of the Lao kingdom. The Lanna Thai account for about 8
percent of the national population. The Pak Thai constitute about 8 percent of the
population. Other major ethnic groups include Chinese (about 12 percent of the
population), Malay-speaking Muslims (about 3 percent), and Khmer (about 2
percent). The majority of the Chinese live in central Thailand, especially in urban
areas. The Malay-speaking Muslims live near to the border with Malaysia. The
Khmer live near the Cambodian border.

V.

LANGUAGE
The Thai language is comprised of 44 consonants, 32 vowels and five tones in
Thai pronunciation, along with a script that has Indian origins. The Thai language,
belonging to the Tai family, is the main language in Thailand although there are
several regional dialects as well. Other languages spoken in Thailand are Chinese,
Lao, Malay and Mon-Khmer, while English use is becoming more prevalent in
government and commerce. English is also being taught as a second language in
secondary school and universities, which enables the English speaking visitor in
Thailand to have little trouble conversing.

VI.

LITERATURE
Written literature dates back to the Sukhothai period (12501350), and earlier
traditions. The oldest known poem, theSuphasit Phra Ruong,was written in the late
1200s. The Traiphum Khatha (1345), is a treatise on Buddhist cosmology.
Poetry from the fifteenth century includes epics, poems based on the life of
Buddha, and theLilit Phra Lo,Thailand's first love story. The reign of King Narai in
the seventeenth century is considered the golden age of Thai literature. Most of this
literary work consisted of epics and love stories written in poetic form. Cau Fa
Thamathibet (17151755) is famous for so-called boat songs, which abound in
mythical allusions. The eighteenth century saw the emergence of a new genre of
poetry,lakhon.This was a type of theatrical poetry in which players positioned
themselves before an audience and recited texts derived from theRamakien(the Thai
version of theRamayana),Inau(an epic of Javanese origin), andAniruttales (which
were more local in origin).
King Rama II was a poet, and during his reign epics expanded in scale and in
performance. There were some famous female poets during this period, including
Khun Phum, who wrote a poetic eulogy for Rama IV. During the reign of King
Chulalongkorn (Rama V), prose writing emerged and poetry became more realistic.
Prince Damrong Ratchanuphap (18611947) compiled histories of Thai literature.
The modern period has witnessed the emergence of many new forms of poetry
and popular fiction. This fiction is realistic, often portraying the lives of common
people and the underclass in the face of adversity. While most of the stories are set in
central Thailand, there has also been regional literature, such as the novels of
Khamphun Bunthami, which are set in the northeast. Since the 1970s a good deal of
fiction and poetry has focused on social criticism.

VII.

SYMBOLISM
The most potent national symbols are the king and images associated with
Buddhism. The monarch serves as the most important symbol of national identity and
unity. Images of the king appear frequently in public and in people's homes, and he is
featured often on television and the other mass media. His image is on all banknotes
and coins. Showing disrespect for the king is a serious legal offense. Images of the
Buddha and shrines are found in public buildings (including schools and government
offices) and homes as well as temples. The promotion of Buddhism as a symbol of
national identity has met with opposition from the Muslim minority.

CULTURE AND TRADITION

The Wai
The wai is the common form of greeting and adheres to strict rules of protocol.
Raising both hands, palms joined with the fingers pointing upwards as if in prayer, lightly
touching the body somewhere between the chest and the forehead, is the standard form.
The wai is both a sign of respect as well as a greeting. Respect and courtesy are
demonstrated by the height at which the hands are held and how low the head comes
down to meet the thumbs of both hands.
The wai may be made while sitting, walking, or standing.

The person who is junior in age or status is the first one to offer the wai.
The senior person returns the wai, generally with their hands raised to somewhere around
their chest.
If a junior person is standing and wants to wai a senior person who is seated, the junior
person will stoop or bow their head while making the wai.
If there is a great social distance between two people, the wai will not be returned.

Buddhism in Thailand
Thailand is a stronghold of Buddhism.
Buddhists believe that life does not begin with birth and end with death, but rather that
every person has several lives based upon the lessons of life not yet learned and acts
committed (karma) in previous lives.
Buddhists believe that selfishness and craving result in suffering and that compassion and
love bring happiness and well-being.
The true path to peace is to eliminate all desire, a condition which Buddhists define as
'nirvana', an indescribable state free of desire, suffering, or further rebirth, in which a
person simply is, and is completely at one with his surroundings.
Buddhism is practised in Thailand by over 90% of the population.

Rituals and Holy Places

A number of Buddhist religious festivals are held throughout of the country, and there are
local events related to particular places and individuals. The Buddhist religious calendar:

Songkran in mid-April when images of Buddha are washed and monks are offered
special alms. This celebration is marked by dousing people with water and festive
behavior including dancing, singing, and theatrical performances.

Visakha Puja in May celebrates Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and entrance into
nirvana. The day includes the ceremonial watering of the banyan trees that represent the
tree under which Buddha sat when he attained enlightenment. Asanha Puja celebrates a
sermon given by Buddha. Khao Phansaa in July marks the start of the three-month lenten
period. It is at this time that young males become novices.

Thawt Kathin from mid-October to mid-November marks the end of lent. During this
period, monastic robes and other paraphernalia are given to monks. In some
communities, there is a celebration to produce new garments for monks and images of
Buddha in which members of the community work together to produce the cloth in a
single day. Magha Puja in February commemorates Buddha's preaching to enlightened
monks. It culminates in a candlelit procession at temples.

Hierarchical Society

Thais respect hierarchical relationships.

Social relationships are defined as one person being superior to the other.
Parents are superior to their children, teachers to their students, and bosses to their
subordinates.
When Thais meet a stranger, they will immediately try to place you within a hierarchy so
they know how you should be treated.
This is often done by asking what might be seen as very personal questions in other
cultures.
Status can be determined by clothing and general appearance, age, job, education, family
name, and social connections.

Thai Family Values

The family is the cornerstone of Thai society.

Family life is often more closely knit than in western cultures.
The Thai family is a form of hierarchy with the parents at the top.
Children are taught to honour their parents.

Thai Demeanour
Thais place great emphasis and value on outward forms of courtesy such as politeness,
respect, genial demeanour and self-control in order to maintain harmonious relations.
Many of their rules of etiquette are by-products of the Buddhist religion.

It is a non-confrontational society, in which public dispute or criticism is to be avoided at

all costs.
To be openly angry with someone might attract the wrath of the spirits, which in turn
could cause violence and tragedy.
Openly criticizing a person is a form of violence as it hurts the person and is viewed as a
conscious attempt to offend the person being rebuked
Loss of face is a disgrace to a Thai so they try to avoid confrontations and look for
compromises in difficult situations.
If two parties disagree, one will need to have an outlet to retreat without losing face.

Meeting Etiquette
The wai (as mentioned above) is the traditional form of greeting, given by the person of
lower status to the person of higher status.

 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
In general, wait for your host and hostess to introduce you to the other guests. This allows
everyone to understand your status relative to their own, and thus know who performs the
wai and how low the head should be bowed.

Gift Giving Etiquette

If invited to a Thai's home, a gift is not expected, although it will be appreciated.
Gifts should be wrapped attractively, since appearance matters. Bows and ribbons add to
the sense of festivity.
Appropriate gifts are flowers, good quality chocolates or fruit. Do not give marigolds or
carnations, as they are associated with funerals.
Try to avoid wrapping a gift in green, black or blue as these are used at funerals and in
mourning. Gold and yellow are considered royal colours, so they make good wrapping
paper. Only use red wrapping paper if giving a gift to a Chinese Thai.
Gifts are not opened when received.

Money is the usual gift for weddings and ordination parties.

Dining Etiquette
If you are invited to a Thai's house:

Arrive close to the appointed time, although being a few minutes late will not cause
offense.
Check to see if the host is wearing shoes. If not, remove yours before entering the house.

Ask another guest to confirm the dress code.

Step over the threshold rather than on it. This is an old custom that may be dying out with
younger Thais, but erring on the side of conservatism is always a good idea.

Table manners
A fork and spoon are the usual eating utensils. However, noodles are often eaten with
chopsticks.
The spoon is held in the right hand and the fork in the left. The fork is used to guide food
on to the spoon. Sticky rice, a northern Thai delicacy, is often eaten with the fingers of
the right hand.
Most meals are served as buffets or with serving platters in the center of the table

You may begin eating as soon as you are served.

Leave a little food on your plate after you have eaten to show that you are full. Finishing
everything indicates that you are still hungry. Never take the last bite from the serving
bowl.

 Never leave rice on your plate as it is considered wasteful. The words for food and rice
are the same. Rice has an almost mystical significance in addition to its humdrum 'daily
bread' function.
Wait to be asked before taking a second helping.
Do not lick your fingers.