Thai Culture

1. Thai Culture Francesca Anstee

2. The Red Represents The blood spilt to maintain Thailand’s independence. The white represents purity and Buddhism. Blue is Thailand’s National color and represents the Thai monarchy. Thailand History Thailand Flag

3. Thai Flag History • The current Thai flag was adopted on September 28, 1917, making it one of the world's older flags. From the mid-19th century until 1916, Thailand, which was called Siam until 1939, used a red based flag with a white elephant on it. That flag was replaced in 1916 with a red-white-red-white-red horizontal striped flag which was modified in 1917, when the blue center replaced red. Interesting Fact About Thai Flag: The Thai flag is called Triaranga or Triarong, which literally means 'tricolor'.

4. Customs Greetings Table Manners Gift Giving Visiting a House Thai customs are very important to Thai people

5. Greeting The Wai Pictures • Thais do not traditionally shake hand, the wai is the usual greeting. The hands are placed together as in prayer, and raised upwards towards the face, while the head is lowered in a slight bow. The height to which the hands should be raised depends on the status of the person you are waiing. In the case of monks, dignitaries and old people the hands are raised to the bridge of the nose, with equals only as far as the chest. Young people and inferiors are not waid, but nodded slightly to.

6. Table Manners • When eating, it is considered very rude to blow your nose or to lick you fingers. The right hand must be used to pick up food eaten with the fingers. • Don't leave your chopsticks in the bowl, it symbolizes death and is very bad luck. Don't order one dish that you intend to eat by yourself. Thai meals are always shared. Don't feel bad about adding condiments to flavour your food to your taste. Don't wait for all of the food to come out before you eat it, Thai meals are leisurely affairs and the food just keeps on coming. Don't use your fork to put food in your mouth, instead use it to push your food onto your spoon.

7. Gift Giving • If you go to a Thai house they do not expect a gift but it is 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.

8. Visiting A House • Arrive close to the appointed time, although being a few minutes late will not cause offence. • 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. • It is common practice to remove shoes before entering a Thai home. Thai people are very conscious about cleanliness and wearing shoes inside is not appreciated. Stepping over the threshold, rather than on it, will avoid offending any older or conservative members of the family. Many schools and offices also do not like outdoor shoes to be worn inside certain rooms. Always check at the door before entering; if there are shoes at the door, it generally means that shoes should not be worn inside that room.

9. Transportation Samlors Tuk-Tuk Motor cycle Taxi Different way to get around Thailand

10. The Samlor • The Samlor is the cheapest and most simple form of public transport. It basically looks like a tricycle. • You can find Samlor’s almost everywhere in Thailand except the center of Bangkok because the traffic is horrible. In quiet places of Bangkok you will find them. • The Samlor is very small so the maximum amount of people is 2, the Samlor also doesn’t travel very fast.

11. Tuk-Tuk • Tuk – Tuks are basically like a car but much smaller with three wheels and no windows. Its sort of like a taxi but instead of having a meter they offer a price and you bargain with them. • Normally foreigners pay more for Tuk – Tuks • Tuk – Tuks can have a maximum of 3 people in the back and then of course the driver in the front. • The Tuk – Tuk has a motorized engine.

12. Motorcycle Taxi • A motorcycle taxi Is just a modern day version of the Samlor. • You see motorcycle taxi’s everywhere because they are cheaper than Tuk – Tuksbut a bit more expensive than Samlors. • The drivers mostly wear over colored shirts so you don’t mistake them for a normal person on a motorcycle.

13. Religion Buddhism Christian Islam Religion plays a very important role in Thai life

14. Religion - Buddhism • Buddhism is nearly 95% of Thailand’s population. • Thailand has over twenty-seven thousand Buddhist temples, mostly in the countryside. • Buddhists believe that selfishness and craving result in suffering and that compassion and love bring happiness and well-being. • Buddhism Facts • Buddhism is the 4th largest religion in the world! • The leaders of Buddhism are monks. • You can become a monk at any period of time in your life. • Three Jewels/Three Refuges • The Buddha • The Sangha (monastic community) • The Dharma (truth or teachings)

15. Religion - Christian Christianity in Thailand is only a small 0.5 percent. Christianity is the largest world religion at the moment. It has over 2 billion followers, who classify themselves under 34,000 different denominations. Initially, Christianity was derived from Judaism, as Jesus Christ was a Jew, as were his twelve disciples. Christianity is based mainly around the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and is monotheistic. Christians believe in the Bible being the word of God, and although some choose to take it more literally than others, it is generally considered to be inspired by the Holy Spirit.

16. Religion – Islam • There are approximately 3.8 percent Muslim people in Thailand. • Muslim means ‘anyone or anything that submits itself to god. Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in the world. To becomeMuslim, a person of any race or culture must say a simple statement, theShahadah, that bears witness to the belief in the One God and that ProphetMuhammad was the last prophet of God.

17. Other Foods, Clothing, Facts etc.

18. Foods • Thai people love mainly noodles, curry and plain dishes. • Thai foods are mainly plain because lots of people in Thailand can’t afford other dishes. • Instead of a knife and fork Thais normally eat their meals with chop sticks. • Thai people also eat not really spicy foods but some foods with a little bit of a twist. • A good example of a typical Thai dish is: Rice and fish with a little bit of a spicy sauce.

19. Clothes Traditional Thai clothing is mainly made out of soft materials like silk. In the olden days almost all Thai people wore the traditional clothing but now fewer people are wearing it. Although traditional clothing is not seen often on the streets, it is worn on special holidays. Some of these holidays include Songkran, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Loy Krathong, many of these holidays are religious and traditional. Revealing clothing, worn by either men or women, is a little disgusting to most Thais. Short shorts, low cut dresses and T-shirts and skimpy bathing suits come into this category. In temples, long trousers or skirts must be worn, and monks should on no account be touched in any way by women. Shoes should always be removed when entering temples and private houses. For this reason, most Thais wear slip-on shoes to avoid constantly tying and untying laces. Pictures

20. 10 Random Facts About Thailand • 1. The Thai greeting “sawatdee” was invented during the Second World War. Before that, people greeted each other by asking if they had eaten yet. • 2.According to the World Meteorological Organization, Bangkok is the hottest capital city in the world. • 3. HRH The Crown Prince, an avid collector of classic cars, has the largest private collection of ‘Classic cars’ in Thailand. • 4. H.M. The King once met Elvis Presley and Walt Disney. • 5. HM the King is a renowned Jazz saxophonist who has played with many of the world’s greatest Jazz musicians. • 6. HM the King is an Olympic standard yachtsman. • 7. The Orchid is Thailand’s best flowering export. Exports of the Orchid are valued at US$250million per annum. • 8. According to the Thai media, the estimated public gathering of 1 million people on 9 June 2006, to celebrate HM The King’s 60th year – was the largest public gathering in history to celebrate a royal event. • 9. The beautiful Similan Islands in the south of Thailand got their name from Malay language. The islands are 9 in total and the Malay word for ‘nine’ is – Similan. • 10. In Thailand, both Father’s Day and Mother’s Day are celebrated on the birthdays of Their Majesties the King and Queen.

21. Things to AVOID in Thai Culture Feet – Soles Left Hand Finger Pointing Head Tapping

22. Feet-Soles & Finger Pointing Feet-Soles Finger Pointing Never point with one finger because it is directly offending the person you are pointing your finger to. The soles of a persons feet are considered very disrespectful. The soles of your feet are disrespectful because they are considered as the dirtiest part of your body.

23. Head Tapping & Left Hand Head Tapping Left Hand The left hand is also unclean and should not be used to eat, receive gifts, or shake hands. Aggressive stances such as crossed arms or waving your arms are also considered disrespectful. • The head is the most sacred part of the body, so should not be touched. The feet are the least sacred, so when sitting they should not point at anyone - most Thais sit on the floor with their feet tucked under their bodies behind them. To point, particularly with foot, is extremely insulting.

24. The King, Queen and Buddha • Negative comments about the country and king should be avoided. Negative opinions about any member of the royal family should never be expressed. Doing so will almost certainly stop any chance of building good relations and could possibly lead to legal action. All images of the royal family should be treated respectfully. Any image of a Buddha should be treated with extreme respect. Do not point the soles of the feet in the direction of a Buddha. Do not touch or deface any image or statue of a Buddha or monk.

25. THE END Thanks For Listening 

26. Bibliography • http://www.hellosiam.com/html/thailand/thailand-religion.htm • http://www.buddhist-temples.com/buddhism-facts/index.html • http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/thailand-country-profile.html • http://www.kuribod.com/geography/clothes.htm • http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/muslim • http://www.worldflags101.com/t/thailand-flag.aspx • http://bangkok.angloinfo.com/countries/thailand/culture.asp