About Thailand - written by Parnnakarn Promkittikul

 

The Monarchy:
Thailand has been a kingdom since the birth of the nation in the 13th century, and a constitutional monarchy since 1932. Accordingly the Thais have a deep and traditional reverence for the Royal Family and visitors should always be careful to show respect for Their Majesties the King and Queen and other members of the Royal Family. In cinemas, for example, the King’s Anthem is played and audiences, visitors included, are expected to stand. Should visitors be attending a public event at which a member of the Royal Family is presiding, the best guide as to how to behave is to observe the crowd and do as others do.

The Religion:
Thailand is a devoutly Buddhist country in which more than 90% of the population professes and practices the faith. Due respect to Buddhism and its symbols, most especially Buddha statues, should be shown as a matter of simple good manners regardless of one’s own religious persuasion. The Thais themselves are respectful of other religions represented in the Kingdom, notably Christianity and Islam and Thai law has several special sections concerning religious offences. It is, for example, unlawful to commit any act likely to cause any offence to a religion within Thailand. Similarly, any person causing a disturbance at a religious assembly or gathering is liable to prosecution. For practical purposes, here are a few tips of what to do and what not to do when visiting religious places:

• Remove your shoes when entering a Buddhist chapel where religions images are enshrined. Do likewise when entering a mosque, for which permission should be asked and don’t enter when there is a religious gathering.

• Dress neatly and appropriately. Unsuitable attire includes sleeveless shirts and blouses, short skirts, shorts above the knees and hot pants. At a mosque, women should be well covered with long-skirt or trousers, long-sleeved blouse buttoned to the neck and a headscarf.

• Don’t touch a Buddhist monk if you are a women. Monks are sworn to celibacy and are forbidden from even the slightest physical contact with women. Should a women wish to give something to a monk, it should first be handed to a man for him to pass on. Alternatively, a monk may spread a piece of cloth in front of him on which a woman may place her gift.

• Don’t climb up on a Buddha statue to take a photograph, or do anything that might show lack of respect. Every Buddha image, large or small, ruined or not, is regarded as a sacred object.

Social Etiquette:
The Thais are very sociable and tolerant towards visitors. At the same time they do have, as do all people, accepted social codes of behavior. Although these customs are not as rigid as the conduct regarding the monarchy and religion, an awareness of them by foreigners is always appreciated, even expected in some rural areas where the old ways are more rigidly adhered to than in Bangkok. The following are a few points to keep in mind:

• Greeting: Thais do not shake hands when they greet one another, instead they press the palms of the hands together chest-or chin-high and bow the head. The gesture is known as the wai. Generally, younger people will wai an elder, who then returns the greeting. Also, in strict custom, the wai is held higher by a person greeting someone senior in rank or age. That, however, is a finer point and a visitor who observes how Thais greet and tries to make a similar gesture will be appreciated.
 

• Head and Feet: These are considered, respectively, to be figuratively as well as literally the highest and lowest parts of the body. Therefore, don’t touch anyone on the head, even in a friendly gesture. Moreover, as will be seen at social gatherings, younger people will try to keep their heads lower than those of their elders and should they pass by they will bow their heads as a sign of respect. The same can also apply between people of lower and higher social rank. As for the feet it is considered extremely rude to point to a person or an object with one’s feet. When sitting opposite anyone, the feet should be tucked away.
 

• Displays of Affection: Public displays of affection between men and women are traditionally frowned upon. Today some Westernised Thai couples may be seen holding hands, mainly among the young in cosmopolitan Bangkok, but that is as far as it goes in polite society.
 

• Loss of Temper: To lose one’s temper, especially in public, is regarded as bad manners. Nor does it achieve anything and one is far more likely to get what one wants by keeping a cool head and concealing emotions. The best advice is always to keep a sense of humour, smile and look on the bright side of things.
 

• Form of Address: Don’t be offended if you are addressed by your first name. This is simply the normal Thai way, the given name being usually preceded by the universal title khun, which means Mr., Mrs. and Miss. As for Thai names, these are often quite long; thus, all Thais have nicknames. So if you find yourself presented with a tongue-twister, don’t be afraid to ask politely for the shorter version of the name. Also, don’t be offended if someone who knows little English calls out “Hey you”. This is not meant to be offensive, but rather a straightforward translation of the polite you in Thai. Also, Thais commonly greet each other when meeting in the street with “pai nai?” where are you going? Again, this is neither impolite, nor do they expect a literal response.