Thailand | Thai Culture

B. An Easy-Going Attitude to Life

The Thai economy was, for centuries, primarily agriculi tural, with rice by far the leading crop. In an agricultural society, people rely a lot on nature. Hence, they are very relaxed about time, which in a broad sense is seasonal or monsoonal.

Punctuality down to the hour or minute us not given importance as in an urbanised and inclustrialised society. Many Thais, especially those who have migrated to Bangkok from rural areas, are generally more relaxed about time.

In Thai, the work'work'is translated as'ngan'and is normally associated with a lot of activities, most of which are associated with fun. You will seeThai work very hard but also laugh and smile at the same time. It is a smart way to integrate fun with work, a unique form of selfmotivation that makes strenuous and repetitive work less tedious. Foreigners who come from an established ir base, do not use you standards to judge the n ofThai. It is not becauseThais are not smart, the) at a different stage of development.

C. A Streak of Rebelliousness

The word 'Thai' means 'free' It demonstrates characteristics that emphasises freedom bott personal and national level. Thailand has nev colonized.

Old Siam's relations with the West commenc 1511 ' when Portuguese traders and missionarie to arrive. Adroit diplomacy, developed during riod, enabling Siam to remain independent of 6 colonisation, the only country in Southeast As so.

However, Thailand has a history in conflict wit[ bouring Burma. With a the invasion in 1766-7 lei the fall of the Ayutthaya capital after a 14-monl During the Ayutthaya period, Siam fought wiJ 24 times and lost the capital to them twice.

During Sukhothai and Rattanakosin periods Siarr wars with Khmer, Malaya and Vietnam.

The Chinese were the first non-Thai to be'imp( the 1840s for canal building projects. In the 185C Chinese settled in Thailand because they WE pleased with the country and their prospects'.

While Thailand continue to benefit from these( it always remained politically independent and I

In recent years, this yearning for freedom ha formed the political landscape as the Thai nat sought to fight off military dictatorships and democratic culture.

Foreigners who come to Thailand should be a these factors that have shaped the country's his, ligious, social, cultural and educational fabric.

Thai welcome foreigners as their guests, but equal partners. Foreigners might perceive thi feel they are inferior to them; Quite the contrary ity and modesty are part of the Thai culture, bu pride, freedom and independence.

The two are not mutually contradictory. If und and handled with care, both can be major asse patriates during their tenure n Thailand. If mis the results can be hazardous.

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