THAI CULTURE MANNERISM Sawadee Krap This is a

THAI CULTURE & MANNERISM § 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. About Thailand FESTIVITIES CULTURE MANNERISM Songkran The Wai The King Loy Krathong Language The Head King’s Birthday Nicknames The Legs Addressing People The Clothes Monkhood Physical Contact Gifts

THAI CULTURE & MANNERISM LEARNING OBJECTIVES To be able: § To explain the 5 aspects of Thai Culture § To explain the 6 aspects of Thai Mannerism

THAI CULTURE & 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 CULTURE & MANNERISM THAI FESTIVITIES – SONGKRAN Ø Thai New Year Ø Also known as Water Festival Ø 13 to 15 Apr each year Ø People return to Provinces

THAI CULTURE & MANNERISM THAI FESTIVITIES – LOY KRATHONG Ø Paying Respect to Water Spirit Ø Full Month of 12 th Month of Thai Year Ø Made of Styrofoam, Banana Leaves, Flowers and Candles

THAI CULTURE & MANNERISM THAI FESTIVITIES – KING’S BIRTHDAY Ø 5 Dec 1927 Ø Parade to Commemorate Ø World Dignitaries Invited Ø Country beautifully decorated Ø Most Business Closed

THAI CULTURE & MANNERISM THAI CULTURE

THAI CULTURE & MANNERISM THAILAND…. . … also known as LAND OF SMILES

THAI CULTURE & MANNERISM THE WAI Ø Traditional Thai Greeting Ø Form of Respect Ø Hands Pressed together, head lowered Ø Normal Dignitary Royalty - Chest Level - Nose Level - Forehead Level Ø Offered by Junior to Senior Ø Wai not returned to Children, Hotel Staff, Taxi Drivers, Waiters

THAI CULTURE & MANNERISM THE LANGUAGE Ø Sentence usually ends with : “Krap” for Man “Ka” for Woman Ø Form of Politeness Ø 5 tones Ø 44 Consonants, 32 Vowels Ø Careful with pronounciation, may change meaning if pronounced wrongly

THAI CULTURE & MANNERISM NICKNAMES Ø Reflection of “Sabai-Sabai” (Relaxed) Culture Ø One Syllable Ø Name of Animals, Colour, Size etc e. g. Goong - Prawn Daeng - Red Lek - Small Ø Used more by Woman Ø More commonly used than Formal Name

THAI CULTURE & MANNERISM ADDRESSING PEOPLE Ø Khun followed by Name or Nickname e. g. Khun Andrew, Khun Nattiphol Ø “Pii” – For Older or Senior Person Ø “Nong” – For Younger or Junior Person

THAI CULTURE & MANNERISM MONKHOOD Ø Common for Men to serve as Monks for 3 months Ø Age 20 Ø Serve before becoming soldiers Ø Important Act Ø Must be free from debt

THAI CULTURE & MANNERISM THAI MANNERISM

THAI CULTURE & MANNERISM THE KING Ø Reign since 1946 Ø Revered by Thais Ø Do not criticise the King Ø Do not intentionally step on Thai Coins and notes

THAI CULTURE & MANNERISM THE HEAD Ø Regarded as Most Sacred part of body Ø Head deemed to be source of Intelligence Ø Avoid touching Ø Do not use foot to point to the head Ø Considered Disrespectful

THAI CULTURE & MANNERISM THE LEGS Ø Regarded as Unclean Ø Do not use feet to point at things, especially people’s head Ø Remove shoes when visiting homes & temples Ø Sit with feet tucked at the side or cross-legged

THAI CULTURE & MANNERISM THE CLOTHES Ø Dress Conservatively Ø Wrong Impression Ø Considered Unfriendly Ø Clothing from lower part of body, not to be left in high places

THAI CULTURE & MANNERISM PHYSICAL CONTACT Ø Avoid Intimacy in Public Ø Against Thai Etiquette Ø Ladies should not touch Monks

THAI CULTURE & MANNERISM GIFTS Ø Avoid sharp objects Ø When receive sharp objects, return coin to giver Ø Flowers – Avoid Marigold & Carnation Ø Avoid Green, Black & Blue Colour Wrapper

THAI CULTURE & MANNERISM IN SUMMARY…… 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