Thailand | Thai Culture

THE THAIS AND THEIR VALUES

The Thais, like people anywhere, are influenced by deep rooted social, cultural, religious, educational, and historical factors that have shaped the way they think and behave.

While it is never easy to fully “understand” another society or culture, foreigners who come to Thailand will generally experience three characteristics of the Thai people at every level of contact, be it professional, personal or social:
A. Deference to authority
B. An easy-going, relaxed attitude to life that is often mistaken for lack of discipline, ambition or drive
C. A streak af rebelliousness that can be quite a force o reckon with when provoked

A. Deference to Authority

This has been rooted in Thai society and culture for many generations, and has been partly influenced by the class system that Thailand partially inherited from India. It stems from the feeling that people in positions of authority know what's good for the people at large, have their best interests at heart, and posses the necessary education, expertise, and experience to make the right decisions.

A well-entrenched trust in anything that comes from the top down still dominates the Thai subconscious, and manifests itself in many ways.

Six institutions stand out clearly:

1. The Monarchy
A widely accepted Thai view is that the well-being and tranquillity of the nation depends mostly upon the morality of the ruler and the ruled.

Since 1260, the land mass knows as Thailand (formerly Siam) has been ruled by monarchs over four periods, each of which is known according to the capital city of the time: Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, Thonburi, and Rattanakosin.

During the 189 years of the Sukothai period, nine kings ruled the kingdom. The greatest king was Ramkam _ haeng Maharaj. The kings ruled the country under a parent-child system.The king acted like the all-knowing parent while the people were the children.

During the 417 years of the Ayutthaya period, there were 35 rulers. Here, a master-servant system prevailed, King Taksin rebuilt the country and ruled the kingdom during theThonburi period for 15 years. King Taksin was named the'Great'.

In 1782. The Rattanakosin (Bangkok) period began. It has had nine kings, of whom; five have been conferred with the titie'Great'These were King Rama 1, King Rama III, King Rama V (King Ramkamhaeng), King Rama VI, and the present soverign, King Rama IX (His Majesty King Bhumilbol Adulyadej).

King Bhumibol acceded to the throne on June 9, 1946. He is the longest-reigning Thai monarch, and presently Deference to Authority

This has been rooted in Thai society and culture for many generations, and has been partly influenced by the class system that Thailand partially inherited from India. It stems from the feeling that people in positions of authority know what's good for the people at large, have their best interests at heart, and posses the necessary education, expertise, and experience to make the right decisions.

A well-entrenched trust in anything that comes from the top down still dominates the Thai subconscious, and manifests itself in many ways.

2. The Religion
Buddhism, which came oThailand via India, has exerted a strong influence on Thai society and culture for hundreds of years. Today some 94 percent of Thais follow the Buddhists faith.

Historically, Buddhist temples have been the focal point of everyday life. Even today, the temple influence is not as strong as it once was, religion is still considerable importance to the Thai people.

It has been customary for all Thai kings to serve as novices in a temple during some point of their youth, As a result, the monarchy has been closely linked to the Buddhist Order by ties of experience, as well as by personal interest.

3. The Military
Military personnel have always been seen as 'men of authority' During the days of absolute monarchy, the king's ability to rule depended on the strength of the military. Obviously, whoever controlled the armed forces, had the power.

After the kingdom became a constitutional monarchy under a democratic system in 1932, the military continued to exercise considerable influence. This can be illustrated by the fact that there were 13 coups between 1932 and 1985.

Today, although the'men in uniform'are not held in as much awe as they were, they still command a degree of respect and authority as defenders of the nation.

4. The Government
Years ago, the dream of every young Thai was to get a job in the government service, including the police force. Government officials were the ones 'in uniform' and commanded the respect and authority that went Every culture has its own unique way of greeting. The western world kiss cheek to cheek and give warm hugs. Australians bellow a loud, "good day mate" while slapping each other on the back. Eskimos rub noses, as that is the only part of their anatomy that is not covered. Red Indians wave in a circular motion while Maoris from New Zealand charge at their guest with a spear. Whatever the greeting type may be, the general idea is to say hello, or to pay respect to an elder.

In Thailand, the greeting protocol is far more complex. The traditional greeting is both formal and polite with the precise degree of respect conveyed in the expression.This warm and charming greeting is known as the"Wai'The Wai is performed byjoining hands at the palms and then raising them to a position somewhere between the chest and forehead depending on whom is being greeted.

Before 'Wai-ing'~ one should know the seniority of the person who is receiving the greeting. The exact position of holding the palms depends on this assessment. Good friends would Wai each other with palms at chest level.This shows that they are equals and know each other very well. The Wai is especially important and is fundamental

ritual in every Thai home. Children when ai-ing parents have to bring their palms all thewaytotheir forehead as a sign of respect and obedience. As the child grows older, the Wai will be of lesser importance but not of significant change. Parents do not have to Wai in return.

At school, the Wai is used very much the same way as at home. School is a place of learning anddiscipline and children have to Wai their teachers the same way they Wai their parents. This is the same as when employees are meeting their employers. However, no matter what age or rank a Thai is, all should Wai monks. In all cases (parent, teacher, employer and monk) the Wai need not be returned.

The Wai is part of the Thai culture and is taken very seriously by allThais. Being Wai-ed incorrectly by another is almost unforgivable. However, as a visitor an incorrect Wai will not offend a Thai. Instead they are As government officials carried out the orders of the kings, they were part of the top-down structure and were treated with due deference. Foreigners who visit a government office will see the influence of the topdown approach in the body language and behaviours of lower ranking officials in the presence of senior colleagues.
Note that the Thai government is still referred to as the 'Royal Thai Government'

5. The Educational System
Because schools are places of learning, those we impart that learning, the teachers, are also considered people in authority deserving of due trust and respect.

Every year, Thai schools conduct a ceremony called'wai khru' Khru means'teacher' All Thais respect their teachers. They feel that teachers impart knowledge to them and are part of their success in life. When schools reopen in May after the April holidays, students perform the wai khru ceremony, which literally means the pressing of hands together in the wai mark of greeting and respect before the teachers.

TheThai education system has traditional stressed learning by rote. Most students are still expected to listen to information and the get it right during a test. Lack of participation in the classroom is still a trait that most Students retain even when they start working under modem participative management systems.

Today, the education system is undergoing reform to shoe a newThai generation equipped for a knowledgebased society and keep up with global changes.

6.The Family
Thai parents raise and support their children until they finish their education. For children to work while studying is rare. This creates strong bonds within the family. Children also feel they have an obligation towards their parents by taking care of them in their old age. That is why there are not many homes for the elderly in the country.

This also creates the phu yai system (seniority). In the family, Thais expect their children to listen to the 'phu yai'(elders). Children will behave with a polite, passice modesty, in the presence of the'phu yai'.

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