Customs
As a foreign visitor you are not expected to understand
all the intricate subtleties of Thai customs, but by learning something
about them and trying to incorporate them into your behaviour during your
stay in Thailand, you will not only show respect for local people but also
avoid some potentially embarrassing scenes.
In Thailand, two institutions take on particular
importance: the monarchy and religion .
The Monarchy
Thai people truly love their King and have a deep
traditional reverence for the monarchy. By way of proof, portraits of their
Majesties are displayed in most shops and businesses. Like anybody else, you
are expected to be respectful towards members of the Royal family.
Therefore, stand quietly when the Nation anthem is played, which happen
daily at 8am and 6pm in parks and other public places, as well as Royal
anthem at cinemas just before the film.
Buddhism
As temples and Buddha images are considered to be sacred, certain rules
should be followed as a sign of respect.
- Dress properly when you enter a temple (enclosed shoes, long
trousers or dresses)
- leave your shoes at the entrance of temple buildings.
- don't step on the threshold
- don't sit pointing your feet towards a Buddha image
- avoid touching Buddha images or chedis ( funeral monuments )
- be considerate about taking photos, especially during merit-making
ceremonies
Whether in a temple or in the street, Buddhist monks are not allow to
touch or be touched by a woman Therefore, if a woman wants to give something
to a monk, she must first give it to a man or put it on a piece of cloth.
Social hierarchy
Age, social rank, lineal descent, annual salary and
education are the main considerations for social conduct. Respect of the
hierarchy is demonstrated in every daily moment, for example in the way of
greeting. Thais don't usually shake hands but rather wai (a prayer-like
gesture with the hands clasped in front of the face). This action means
hello and goodbye but it also shows respect and humility. The higher the
hands are raised, the more respect is being paid.
Losing face
Thai people are known to be patient and calm. Being jai
yen (cool-headed) is highly admired in Thai culture. Furthermore, any
impulsive reaction that may show annoyance (raising your voice or losing
your temper) is considered unseemly, counterproductive and will make you
'lose face". Whatever the situation, losing your temper should be avoided;
things will work themselves out much better if you remain clam.
Body parts
The head is considered to be the most sacred part of the body while the
feet are the lowest, hence the most impure. For this reason , it is impolite
to pat or touch somebody on the head (this applies even to children), and it
is particularly rude to point your feet at some body or even to place them
on a table or a chair.
The overwhelming majority of Thais (over 90%) as
Theravadic Buddhists, with the rest of population split between Muslims,
Christians, Sikhs and Hindus. Older animist beliefs still remain but the
majority follow a version of the Theravadic Buddhism that originated in
India from around the 3rd century BC.
Buddhism is a tolerant religion based on the notion that
life is a series of cycles moving closer and closer to spiritual
enlightenment and nirvana with each reincarnation. A soul is reborn
according to its progress (or lack of) towards nirvana with animals forming
the bottom strata and monks occupying the top.
Nearly all Thai Buddhist men will become monks for a
period of their live, if only for a short time. At the wat (temple) they
learn the tenets of the religion, embracing the philosophies of celibacy and
spirituality while rejecting materialism and personal gain Women cannot be
ordained but some become nuns. The practice isn't wide spread though, and
numbers remain very low.
In Thai society , spiritual advancement is achieved
through the practice of making merit - doing good in any number of ways
which may include donating to the poor or a temple or handing out rice to
monks during their morning alms gathering processions.
Buddhism, like many religions, is very much a way of life
and the relaxed all-embracing psyche and attitude of the country is much
entwined in Buddhist philosophy.
