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Sawadee Krap This is a module to give you an idea of the Thai Culture and Mannerism. This knowledge may help when you are visiting Thailand. Click on a particular topic in the Navigation Map on the right to go to a particular topic.
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Sawadee Krap • This is a module to give you an idea of the Thai Culture and Mannerism. • This knowledge may help when you are visiting Thailand. • Click on a particular topic in the Navigation Map on the right to go to a particular topic. • Alternatively, use the navigation buttons at the bottom right to move between the pages or return to the Home Page. • We hope you find this module useful. • Enjoy the module.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES To be able: To explain the 5 aspects of Thai Culture To explain the 6 aspects of Thai Mannerism
ABOUT THAILAND….. LAND AREA : 513, 000 Sq Km POPULATION : 65 Million RELIGION : Buddhism (94%) Muslim (4%) CLIMATE : Tropical LANGUAGE : Thai / English CURRENCY : Baht TIME ZONE : UTC + 7 MAIN SOURCE OF REVENUE : Exports
THAI FESTIVITIES – SONGKRAN • Thai New Year • Also known as Water Festival • 13 to 15 Apr each year • People return to Provinces
THAI FESTIVITIES – LOY KRATHONG • Paying Respect to Water Spirit • Full Month of 12th Month of Thai Year • Made of Styrofoam, Banana Leaves, Flowers and Candles
THAI FESTIVITIES – KING’S BIRTHDAY • 5 Dec 1927 • Parade to Commemorate • World Dignitaries Invited • Country beautifully decorated • Most Business Closed
THAILAND….. … also known as LAND OF SMILES
THE WAI • Traditional Thai Greeting • Form of Respect • Hands Pressed together, head lowered • Normal - Chest Level Dignitary - Nose Level Royalty - Forehead Level • Offered by Junior to Senior • Wai not returned to Children, Hotel Staff, Taxi Drivers, Waiters
THE LANGUAGE • Sentence usually ends with : “Krap” for Man “Ka” for Woman • Form of Politeness • 5 tones • 44 Consonants, 32 Vowels • Careful with pronounciation, may change meaning if pronounced wrongly
NICKNAMES • Reflection of “Sabai-Sabai” (Relaxed) Culture • One Syllable • Name of Animals, Colour, Size etc e.g. Goong - Prawn Daeng - Red Lek - Small • Used more by Woman • More commonly used than Formal Name
ADDRESSING PEOPLE • Khun followed by Name or Nickname e.g. Khun Andrew, Khun Nattiphol • “Pii” – For Older or Senior Person • “Nong” – For Younger or Junior Person
MONKHOOD • Common for Men to serve as Monks for 3 months • Age 20 • Serve before becoming soldiers • Important Act • Must be free from debt
THE KING • Reign since 1946 • Revered by Thais • Do not criticise the King • Do not intentionally step on Thai Coins and notes
THE HEAD • Regarded as Most Sacred part of body • Head deemed to be source of Intelligence • Avoid touching • Do not use foot to point to the head • Considered Disrespectful
THE LEGS • Regarded as Unclean • Do not use feet to point at things, especially people’s head • Remove shoes when visiting homes & temples • Sit with feet tucked at the side or cross-legged
THE CLOTHES • Dress Conservatively • Wrong Impression • Considered Unfriendly • Clothing from lower part of body, not to be left in high places
PHYSICAL CONTACT • Avoid Intimacy in Public • Against Thai Etiquette • Ladies should not touch Monks
GIFTS • Avoid sharp objects • When receive sharp objects, return coin to giver • Flowers – Avoid Marigold & Carnation • Avoid Green, Black & Blue Colour Wrapper
Thai Festivities Songkran, Loy Krathong, King’s Birthday Thai Culture The Wai, Language, Nickname, Addressing People Thai Mannerisms - The King, Head, Leg, Physical Contact, Clothes and Gifts IN SUMMARY……