| Culture History Culture Thais definition of culture includes architecture, food, dance, and festivals, but generally excludes religion, which they consider to be separate from culture. Nearly 95% of Thai people practice Theravada Buddhism, so Buddhism obviously has a large influence on Thailand’s culture.
Age, wealth, status and personal and political power mold and define relationships between Thai people. As in most cultures, Thai are expected to respect their elders, but in Thailand it is very common for the “juniors” and “seniors” to have set mutual obligations. For example juniors often ask for money, jobs, or other favors from the seniors, and if a senior refuses they risk losing face. Also, because of the strong Buddhist influences monks are highly respected, which overrides the usual “respect of elders” and “roles by status” beliefs in Thailand.
With the special respect of monks come interesting Thai customs regarding monks. For example monks are not allowed to have any physical contact with women and in turn women go out of their way to avoid being put in a situation where they could accidentally come into physical contact with a monk. Inside of temples monks sit on a raised platform, so that their heads, even when bowed, are above the heads of others in the temple, who are also bowing, to show their high societal status.
Understanding and trying to adapt to Thai culture can help foreigners greatly as Thais usually assume foreigners know nothing about their country and culture. Therefore when someone shows interest in their lifestyles they are quick to befriend them and show great gratitude. Thais are fairly tolerant of most kinds of behavior from foreigners, but as Thais treat monarchy and religion very delicately, it is recommended to pay close attention to how Thais react in situations and to follow suit.
One custom to make sure to do is standing during the daily broadcasts, 8am and 6pm, of the Thai National Anthem. Some other customs and social norms include; not touching someone on their head or placing one’s feet above the head of another, and not stepping on a Thai coin, that displays the king’s head. Those are all considered to be rude and disrespectful. Although Thailand seems to have several strict and perhaps rigid customs they are still fun-loving people.
Sànùk, which means ‘fun’, is something Thai put much emphasis on. Even when working jokes, insults, songs and flirtation will be shared among coworkers, to help create a fun and enjoyable atmosphere. The well-known “Thai smile” may be a direct effect of Sànùk
History Archeological evidence suggests that present-day Thailand may have been home to the first agriculturists in the world. Parts of Thailand, such as the Mekong River valley and Khorat Plateau, were inhabited over 10,000 years ago by Austro-Thai peoples from northern Vietnam and southern China. The migrant Thais established sovereign states under the rule of chieftains.
There are little to no written records or chronologies about Thailand from before the middle of the first millennium AD, so it is difficult to verify what kind of cultures existed during the un-recorded times. Thais seemed to have a special gift for being able to non-forcefully displace, assimilate or co-opt with indigenous populations of Tibeto-Burmans and Mon-Khmers when they would come across these groups during travel.
From the 9th to the 11th century AD, the area that is now central and western Thailand was occupied by a Mon civilization called Dvaravati. The Dvaravati brought Theravada Buddhism as their main religion. The Khmer Empire quickly took power by the 11th-12th century. Khmers easily controlled most of the trade routes through the Thailand-Indochina region. There are many theories as to the origin of the Thai race, but none of which can be confirmed at this time. The 13th – 15th centuries were ruled by Sukhothai, which is considered the “first Thai Kingdom.” Warfare and challenges continued through the rest of Thailand’s history moving it from kingdom to kingdom and constantly changing the boarders into present-day Thailand. Since 1932 Thailand has been a constitutional monarchy.
In 1941, during Japan’s invasion on Southeast Asia the Phibul government, which gained control in 1938, sided with Japan and declared war on the USA and Britain. However, the declaration was not delivered, as the Thai ambassador in Washington refused to do so. Military continued to have great control over the government, until 1991 when protestors were shot during military coup General Suchinda’s time in power, in which King Rma IX intervened and democracy was restored. Again though in 2006 military coup dismantled Thailand’s democratically elected government and sent the Prime Minister, Thaksin, into exile.
Thailand has a very interesting, mysterious and complicated history that has helped form it into the cultural wonder that it is today |