Traditon sa Thailand

Thailand is a country that is steeped in tradition, from religion and spirituality to the foods served on its people’s table to the direction in which one points one’s feet. The “wai,” or the traditional Thai greeting is done by putting your hands together, in front of your chest, and bowing your head a bit. As a courteous visitor, you can do this when someone “wai’s” you, when you are meeting someone for the first time, or when you are greeting someone. If you hold your hands higher and bow your head longer, it shows great respect. A visitor isn’t expected to know all of Thailand’s traditions – but as with any locale, the more you understand and honor those traditions, the richer your experience will be.

One Thai tradition that will thrill visitors is the abundance of festivals devoted to praying for rain. Farmers depend on rain for healthy crops, of course, and they hold a variety of events as a means of asking, of hoping, and of inspiring themselves for the rainy season.

The Rocket Festival, for instance, is a northeastern Thailand tradition held at the beginning of the rainy season. Legend has it that powerful god Phaya Thaen stopped the rain because he was angry with the world’s animals. Phaya Khankhak, an incarnation of the Buddha, helped the animals defeat Phaya Thaen. Since

then, Phaya Thaen had to promise that he would make the rain fall if bamboo rockets were launched. The most grand of the Rocket Festivals is held in Yasothon Province and visitors will love the colorful rockets, beauty contest, and folk entertainment.

Another particularly appealing tradition is Thailand’s world-renowned cuisine. Eating is a communal activity (outside of Western restaurants, of course), and many matters of etiquette deal with social status. For instance, you wait for the “leader” of the group to invite you to begin eating. Thai food is served communally, as on a large platter, and you take a sample (two to three mouthfuls) of different items. Be prepared to spend time; it is an event as much as a meal.

Thailand’s traditions revolve around respect: touching someone on the head may be rude, for instance, or pointing your feet towards someone while you sit on the ground is a sign of disrespect. While we may trip up and perform faux pas when visiting, it is the attempt at honoring Thailand’s traditions that matters most. It is our own sign of respect. Make the attempt, apologize sincerely if a mistake is made, and above all, enjoy the remarkable hospitality of the people of the “Land of Smiles.”

Culture Of Thailand

Thai Culture

Thai culture needs to be understood from the ethnic

traditions of the various peoples who migrated to

Thailand to form the Thai culture as we understand it

today, the influences from India of religion and

mythology, the origin myths of some of the minorities

living in Thailand and animist traditions which continue

today.

From these traditions we have a Thai culture where

belief systems are distinguishable from elsewhere and

the themes of these are reflected in the performing arts

of music and dance, in the art forms of woodwork,

sculture, murals, pottery and bronze and significantly in

architecture forms and decorations, both in the past and

continuing in new buildings today.

Most importantly Thai culture is significant in the

behaviour, customs and beliefs of the Thai people

today.

Thai Culture and Buddhist Traditions

Thai culture is Buddhist. Accordingly the culture is one

where individuals are taught to think for themselves and

not be subjugated by religious authorities as is the case

with Christain, Jewish or Muslim religions.

The essence of this culture has two principal themes,

first, one must understand the difference

between reality and self delusion, and second, one

must understand the nature of cause and effect, that

is, to understand whatever one does now will have

implications later, not only in the very short term, but

the very long term.

In Thai society Thai culture is such that people do not

mix self delusion in their thoughts and conversation.

This is seen as foolish. Good examples of self delusion

include arrogance, superiority beliefs, social status etc.

Some cultures do not make the distinction. The

distinction is made in business matters as well as

private relationships. Thai culture enables Thai people

to better self distinguish their emotional desires with a

cautious respect for reality.

Thai culture also calls for detachment. In some

societies if people want something they have to have it 

whatever, in fact they strive to become part of what they

seek, be it a status symbol object like a motor car or a

position of social recognition. They become in their

minds what they seek to obtain, the delusion is over

whelming. In Thai culture such desire  and attachment

for objects is regarded as weekness.

To this we add the need for respect of others also a

concept not really understood in western cultures.

Examples of this respect are, not to shout at others, not

to talk at some one, rather talk to them, not to impose

on another with meaningless and convoluted talk [ thus

wasting their time ], not to defame someone and

respect their property in their own good name. For

example, defamation is a crime in Thailand.

Thai Culture About Telling Lies

Thai culture does not permit telling lies. Again words

have different applications.

In western society people tell ties all the time, not only

in politics, but to children, friends and in business and

government of the people for the people. In the west we

dismiss these as '' white lies '', not important, or being

polite to avoid the truth to confront someone. Not so in

Thai culture, so travellers should understand a strict

interpretation of the concept of a lie applies and when a

Thai avoids telling you the truth then you know this is

his or her way of refusing to lie.

National I cons Sa Thailand

Home » Thai Culture » Customs and Traditions » National Symbols of Thailand

National Symbols of ThailandPosted on July 16, 2013 by Mike Rose in Customs and Traditions, Thai Culture

Last Updated: Friday, December 5, 2014

There are three national symbols of Thailand. They are depicted by an animal, the Asian Elephant,  a flower, the Ratchapruek and a piece of architecture, the Sala Thai.

Most people will recognize an Asian Elephant since they are generally smaller in stature than their African counterparts with much smaller ears.

Elephants are a national symbol because they play a significant role in Thai society and history while Thailand itself is often daubed the Kingdom of the Elephant. The most prized of all Asian Elephants is thewhite elephant which is strongly connected with Thai royalty.

The Ratchapruek(ราชพฤกษ์�), which is also known as the Golden Shower Tree (Cassia fistula) or Indian Laburnum. It is a tree that is found throughout Asia. The flowers are bright yellow a colour associated with Buddhism and Thai Royalty.

The tree also has medicinal qualities used for the treatment of certain heart conditions and arthritis. Its leaves which are deciduous are also used as mild laxative.

Incidentally it is said that all the Ratchapruek in Thailand will come into flower at the same time which is taken as a sign of Thai unity.

The Sala Thai(ศาลาไทย) is a shelter or pavilion and an important architectural symbol of Thailand. You will find examples of the Sala Thai throughout Thailand ranging from simple roadside shelters to more ornate structures in the grounds of Thai temples.

In this photograph the Sala Thai is a rather well crafted and colourful resting place at a Thai Wat.

Prior to 2001 the national flag of Thailand and the garuda(mythical creature)where usually quoted when talking about the national symbols in Thailand.

However they are not officially classified as such since a Royal Gazette announcement in 2001 which clearly  lists the three symbols referred to above as the representative national symbols of Thailand.