Brief Introduction of Thailand A unified Thai kingdom

Brief Introduction of Thailand • A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14 th century. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. ( 君主立宪制)。

Map of Thailand •

Pictures of Thailand

Five Dimensions of Culture Individualism & collectivism Masculinity-femininity dimension Power distance Uncertainty avoidance Long-term orientation & short-term orientation

Individualism & collectivism • describes cultures from loosely structured to tightly integrated. In an individualist culture, the interest of the individual prevails over the interests of the group. While in a collectivist culture, the interest of the group prevails over the interest of the individual.

Masculinity-femininity Dimension • describes how a culture’s dominant values are assertive (专断的，独断的) or nurturing（培 养，养育的）

Power Distance • refers to the distribution of influence within a culture. Namely, the extent to which less powerful members of institutions and organizations within a country expect and accept that power is distributed unequally. • • In high power distance cultures, children are expected to be obedient toward parents. In high power distance cultures, people are expected to display respect for those of higher status. Eg. In Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, people are expected to display respect for monks by greeting and taking leave of monks with ritualistic greetings, removing hats in the presence of a monk, dressing modestly and using a vocabulary that shows respect.

Long-term & Short-term Orientation • long-term orientation encourages thrift, savings, perseverance toward results, and a willingness to subordinate oneself for a purpose. Short-term orientation is consistent with spending to keep up with social pressure, less savings , preference for quick results.

Uncertainty Avoidance • Uncertainty avoidance refers to the extent to which people in a culture feel threatened by uncertain or unknown situation. Cultures strong in uncertainty avoidance are active, aggressive, emotional, security seeking and intolerant; cultures week in uncertainty avoidance are contemplative, less aggressive, unemotional, relaxed, accepting personal risks, and relatively tolerant.

Film Analysis • • Act I: Privacy Act II: Equality Act III Family & Marriage Act IV From Conflict --- Mutual understanding

Key points • Siam (the ancient name of Thailand) is Buddhistic country • Women’s status in Siam. • Different ways to show politeness between western people and eastern people. • Equality (平等)advocated(崇尚) by western people. From which scenes can you realize that western people advocate equality? • The attitude of King Mongkut toward his family.

Memorable Quotes • King Mongkut: I have never danced with a schoolteacher before. Anna Leonowens: Nor I with a king. • Prince Chulalongkorn: It is always surprising how small a part of life is taken up by meaningful moments. Most often they're over before they start even though they cast a light on the future and make the person who originated them unforgettable.

Memorable Quotes • King Mongkut: When a woman who has much to says nothing, her silence can be deafening. • Louis Leonowens: Mother, what's a concubine? • Anna Leonowens: Life is precious, especially when you're a Christian and only allowed one.

Memorable Quotes • Prince Chulalongkorn: Son of teacher forgets that I am son of King. Louis Leonowens: Son of teacher couldn't care less. Anna Leonowens: Louis Leonowens: I'm sorry Mother, but he started it. Prince Chulalongkorn: In my country, man never tell a woman he is sorry. If you had father, you would know this.

Memorable Quotes • Louis Leonowens: You don't have a father, you have a map. [Louis pushes the prince] Prince Chulalongkorn: It is forbidden to touch royalty. Louis Leonowens: I didn't touch you- I shoved you. Why don't you get one of your servants to shove me back?

Memorable Quotes • Louis: Moonshee, why does the king have so many wives? Moonshee: That is an excellent question. For your mother • Tuptim: If love was a choice, who would ever choose such exquisite pain?

Memorable Quotes • Tuptim: I remember my first rice festival. People come from everywhere to see the king. He bless the crops and it began to rain. I think he was a god. Anna Leonowens: And now? Tuptim: He is also a man.