Thailand…the land of SMILES

Flight: SEM 003 Li Chui Shan, Sandy (09183740D) Ng Wing Shan, Winnie (09342671D) Tsang Sin Ying, Cyan (09508506D) Wong Chun Ho, Daniel (09299977D) Wong Kit Yan, Kaitey (09503640D)

National Symbols

What is Thai national symbol?

National Flag5 horizontal stripes of three colours:

Red : The life-blood of Thai people.

Blue: The Thai King, the monarchy

White: The purity of Buddhism, the national religion

• Thai = “Freedom" • Thailand = "Land of the Free".

National Flower “Ratchaphruek” (or golden shower)

• Widely known to Thais

• Cluster-shaped flowers

• Summer

• Color : shining yellow

National Animal“Chang Thai” (or Thai elephant)

• Close link with Thai history and custom

• Long life

• One of transportation means

• “Chang Samkhan” (white elephant)

Deeply connected to King of Thailand King's honor and glory

National Architecture Sala Thai(or Thai-Style arbor)

• Reflects knowledge of Thai people.

• Retains beauty, which is different from architectures of other countries

• ‘Thai-ness'

Geography

Four Natural Regions

1. North mountains and forests

2. Central Plains vast rice fields

3. Northeast plateau semi-arid farm lands

4. Peninsula South tropical islands long coastline

• 76 provinces

• Capital city: Bangkok

Weather

Temperature & RainfallSummer WinterMonsoons

DRY RAINY COOL

Population and Ethnics

Population & Ethnics ____ ______About 65,000,000 people

74%

11%

4%11%

Thai

Chinese

Malays

Vietnamese,Khmer, Hmong, Karen and other hill tribes

Language

Language• Thai• English (secondary language)• Mandarin• Vietnamese• Isan • Other ethnic and regional languages and dialects

History

History of the Thai Kingdoms

• Nanchao Period (650-1250 A.D.) • Sukhothai Period (1238-1378 A.D.) • Ayutthaya Period (1350-1767) • Thon Buri Period (1767-1772) • Chakri Dynasty Period (1782 - the Present)

How did history affect the development of culture?

1. Respect for King2. Maintain of the national independence customs and culture are well kept E.g.:

– Sports– Festival– Languages– Gestures– Food– Arts…etc

Sukhothai Period (1238-1378 A.D.)

• Feudalism

Ayutthaya Period (1350-1767)

Political change : • Adoption of the Khmer and Burmese organizational

models To strengthen the power, legitimacy , and authority of the

king

1. Kingship redefined• Hindu concept

KING = divine, a god king

Significant political changes in Chakri Dynasty Period (1782 - present)

King Chulalongkorn, Rama V (1869-1910)

Household system

Modern bureaucratic form

King Prajadhipok, (1925-1935) Absolute monarchy

Constitutional monarchy

King Ananda Mahidol (1935-1946) A democratic government in 1939

NOW Thai people still have a deep respect for their King

The Retaining of the National Independence Chakri Dynasty Period King Mongkut, Rama IV, (1851-1868)

• Acceptance of unequal treaties with European countries

Examples:• Low limits on taxes from imports & exports• Extraterritorial rights

Loss of national sovereignty on the part of the kingdomEscaped from colonialismNational independence was retained

World War II

• “Free Thai” movement (1942)(Supported by the US) Opposed the Japanese occupation Assisted the Allied war effort

Cold War

• “American Era” Established a close and strong alliance with the US

Retained national independence

Can anyone tell me more about modern politics

and the government?

Modern Politics and

the government

2006 coup d'état– a series of anti-Thaksin campaign at

beginning of 2006– a military government overthrew the

government of Thakisin2008-2009 Thai political crisis– The People's Power Party formed a

government– On December 2, 2008, Peoples Power

Party dissolved– a new cabinet was formed by democratic

party on 17 December 2008

Political Crisis

How political crisis affect hospitality in Thailand?

• In November 2008: – Thousands of supporters of the People's Alliance

for Democracy (PAD) closed Bangkok airport

Politics Crisis

How political crisis affect hospitality in Thailand?

• In HK, Government issued travel advice on visiting Thailand (November 29)– Hong Kong residents should avoid

unnecessary travel to Bangkok. – Those who are already in Bangkok should

attend to their personal safety

• England, Australia, Canada and Singapore also issued travel advice on visiting Thailand

Politics Crisis

• The police– low salaries

• The government – Money plays a significant role in the

election process and in obtaining positions in parliament

Corruption

• In 2006, a series of anti-Thaksin Campaign launched

• Impact– Affect political instability and

development of the country

CorruptionThe Government-Example

Social Problems

Is there any social problem in

Thailand?

Prostitution

• Thais have viewed sex rather casually throughout history– Exploitation of women is acceptable– Return home with respect because of the

money they bring to support their family• Rapid industrialization

– Loss of secondary sources of nonfarm income from forests around villages

– Unemployment

Social Problems

Social Problems

• Prostitution is illegal, actual number of sex workers is almost impossible to estimate– 200-300 thousand women– 100,000 male prostitutes

Prostitution

Social Problems

• Big sex tourism in Thailand– The biggest and the most

famous red-light district in the world

– karaoke places,– go-go bars include lots of

dancers and hostesses

How prostitution affect hospitality in Thailand?

Social Problems

• drug gangs

• Gangs– Piglet Gangs

• Terrorism– 2006 Bangkok

bombings– 2007 South

Thailand bombings

Street gang and terrorism in Thailand

Social Problems

• 2006 Bangkok bombings – New Year's celebrations at

some popular areas were cancelled

• Amongst the victims– eight tourists were hurt:

Street gang and terrorism in Thailand

Social Problems

• Bring social instability• Tourists may feel insecure• Lots of films took Thai gangs as

background– Bangkok Dangerous (1999 film)

and– Bangkok Dangerous (2008 film)

directed by the Pang Brothers

How street gangs and terrorism affect hospitality in Thailand?

Social Values

Social value seems quite important in

Thailand, right?

• Less importantfreedom and equality are comparably

• More important national security, religious/ spiritual life, a comfortable

life, family happiness, self-esteem, emphasizing social relations

Social Values

• “bunkhun” means grateful relationships– Tourist authority of Thailand has promoted the country

as the ‘land of smiles’– Foreigners interpret smiling as happiness and

satisfaction

How this affects tourism in Thailand

Introduction

Ancient Thai religion• Animism

Modern Thai religion• Buddhism (Over 90%)• Muslim (10%) (significant population in Bangkok)• Christian (a few)• Hinduiam

Ancient Thai religion – Thai Animism

• Believe there are many spirits in the world

• Spirit houses

• Ask for a wish to be fulfilled

Buddhism in Thailand –History

• 3rd century B.C.

• First brought to the Chao Phaya River Basin

Theravada BuddhismNot pure Buddhism but interweave with:

• Hinduism• Animism• Local traditions, beliefs, and customs• Evil have great power (beliefs from Animism)• Buddhist monks counter evil

How does Buddhism affect Thailand?

Socially• Moral foundation

-for promoting general peace and harmony society

• Highly revered monks-are participants in state celebrations and rituals

How does Buddhism affect Thailand? (cont’d)

Socially• Temple (wat) is the heart

of social and religious life

• King is the ultimate head of Buddhism in Thailand

• -appoint Sangha (priesthood)

Socially• Images of Buddha are

found everywhere

How does Buddhism affect Thailand? (cont’d)

Examples of Thai people taking religion quite seriously:

• Put their hands together in a wai when passing a temple

• Give food to monks• Worship regularly• Do good work to gain merit• Young men enter the monkhood for a

period of time• Marriage have nine monks perform in the

wedding

How does Buddhism affect Thailand? (cont’d)

PoliticallyBuddhism and the state• Closely aligned with the state in Thailand• Officially sponsored by the Thai Government • One of the three major elements of Thai identity

How religion affect Hospitality

Young men enter the monkhood

• 80%-90% young males Buddhist become monks for at least a few months

• Time off from work must be given automatically .

Decrease the labour force availability in the market

Affect the operation of hotels and any other companies.

How religion affect Hospitality

Erawan Shrine (Hinduism)• one of the most famous Buddha

Bailongwang• A famous fortune-teller

Both of themAttract Asians to visit ThailandBring huge amount of travel expenditure to

thereBoost tourism sector and local economy

Culture

What is Thai culture

like?

FestivalRocket festival

- Villagers craft skyrockets ofbamboo and gunpowder

- Fire to the sky to - Send rain for the new rice

season

Buddhist ‘lent’

- Young men enter the monkhood - Monks to station themselves for

over 3 months

Songkran

- Thai people’s lunar new year- monks and elders are getting

respect from young ones by sprinkling water over their hands

Loy Kratong

- thousands of candle-lit boats, decorated with flowers were put on the water in order to appease the water spirits and hope to bring good fortune for the coming year

How festival affect the tourism industry?• Different events attract different types of tourists come

over (e.g. Songkran)• Most festivals related to Buddhism • Many faithful buddhists come from all parts of Asian to

participate those events• Experience• Participate• Periods/ seasonal

Ladyboys- the third sex

• Man chooses to live as a woman

• Complete sex change operation

• no. of ladyboys in thailand is close to 200000 individual

• Most of them are performers and sexworkers

How Thailand ladyboys affect the tourism industry?

• One of the uniquesness• Even if it was illegal, no one is restricted to watch ladyboy

performance(“broaden our horizon”) – Elderly, young children can take a glimpse of this

entertainment• Ladyboys show = Must do activity • Increase revenue of the country

How Thai King affect the hospitality industry?

• Show respect to Thai King • Mind their behaviour• Beware of their language• Being restricted • Easily cause conflicts with locals

Dance• “Lakhon Nai”- played by women and its only performed in palace

- graceful, romantic and highly stylized• “Lakhon Nok”- performed outside the palace, acted only by men

- filled with lively music, humor, and rapid, animated movements

Arts

Drama

• Khon- storyline form of drama• Characterized by vigorous, high-

formalized action• Acting and dancing is inseparable• Emphasized precise defined

music• Actors are masked• Major characters can be

identified by the predominant colours of their costumes that can perfectly portray their personalities

Thai Food• Strong taste

• Blends 4 fundamental taste: Sweet (sugar, fruits, sweet

peppers) Spicy (chilies) Sour ( vinegar, lime juice,

tamarind) Salty ( fish sauce, soy sauce)

e.g. tongyam

• Serve as family style

• Dining together

• Order one of each kind of dish ( e.g. spicy, sour sweet, salty) preferred

• Impolite Spoonful of steaming hot food

• Don’t chat during meals ( bad manner)

• Thai herbs added to traditional cusisne (medical use)

• e.g. black pepper and varieties of basil are common curry ingredients

Allocentric to Thai Culture (e.g. curious

tourists / Asians )

Psychocentric to Thai Culture

(e.g. well educated tourists)

Vendor Cart Willing to experience Afraid or even refuse to try

Food hygiene casual Concern about their health

Menu & receipe A set of meal A la crete

Quantity family size Individual size

Strong Taste Strongly adapt to it Resist of it

How Food affect the hospitality industry?• Menus and recipes need to be adjusted

Thai: family sizeTourists: individual size

• Children may not adapt to those spicy food• Spicy can be count as a barrier to some tourists• Some tourists cannot take the strong taste• get allergies from several kinds of herbs used in Thai

dishes

Marriage

• Monks attend marriage ceremonies • Couple usually consult monks for the dates• Weddings take place early in the morning • Concluded time for the monks to eat• Monks are not permitted to eat after midday

Thai Language• Khmer language • Influenced by Sanskrit and Pali • Authentic Thai: mono or bi-syllabic • High cultural level • Rich and uniquely picturesque

expressiveness• Written Thai proceeds from the left to

the right • Adapting the level of politeness • Different rank/class of people• Different age

How Language affect the hospitality industry?

• Not everyone understand English• Often causes misunderstanding and embarrassment • Inconvenience in communication• Barriers for allocentric, conservative tourists

Thai SportsMuay Thai Boxing• Martial arts• In the ring and stand• Violence• High incident rate• High physical injuries• Wild Music • Broadcast on TV every Sunday

Muay Thai Boxing• Only feet and head are

permitted to touch the ball• Volleyball net• Perform aerial pirouettes• Spink the ball over net• Small towns, rural areas

How Sports affect the hospitality culture?

• Violent behavior– children are restricted to enter the stadium– less revenue since families tourists do not participate in

it

Thailand’s King• King Bhumibol Adulya• as Rama IX. • Reigned Thailand over 60 years• World longest reigning monarch • Abiding reverence, loyalty• Reliable and stabilizing force • “Inviolable” by Constitution

• Portrait everywhere (e.g. buildings wall, shopping mall’s main gate)

• Royalty• Yellow shirt• Representing their

country

How Thai King affect the hospitality industry?

• Tourists need to be aware and show respect to Thai King• • Mind their behavior, fashion and language

• Tourists not familiar with these traditions, may cause conflicts with locals

Thai Temple Architecture• Wat • A group of religious buildings • Enclosed by a wall with several

gateways • Buddhist architecture • Combine Indian and Khmer style• Central plains style with is steep roofs

Relationship between Thai culture and hospitality industry

History

Religious and Ethnicity

Culture

Social Value

Politics Crisis

Social Problems

Hospitality

Hope you enjoy the slide

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