Culture of Thailand
Besides taking the TESOL course, it is important for TEFL trainees to
understand Thai culture and customs especially when planning for a long term
stay over here. Thailand, blessed with a wealth of culture and traditions,
stands out in the Southeast Asian region as a country of grace and pride. It
is a modern country firmly established in the 21st century. Despite this,
there remain examples of lifestyles that have existed for centuries and
continue to exist despite the advent of modernity.
TESOL students will find that Buddhism and Hinduism greatly dominate Thai
Culture. Much of Thailand’s royal tradition is also rooted in Indian
culture. Visual art, though traditionally primarily Buddhist often combines
modern techniques in the contemporary time. Literature is even from Indian
connection, the primary text being Ramakein, a Thai version of the Indian
epic Ramayana.
The TESOL students find it very interesting to know about Thai greeting
techniques where they greet each other with the word Sawadee, and instead of
shaking hands, they put their palms together in a prayer-like gesture and
bow slightly. It is customary for the younger or lower in status to begin
the greeting. When taking leave, the same word and procedure is repeated.
This gesture is called a Wai. In Thailand people do not normally say 'good
morning', 'good afternoon', 'good evening' or 'good night'. Thai people's
inherent sense of playfulness and light heartedness is a distinctive feature
noticed by TESOL trainees. Sanuk is the Thai word for fun. TEFL trainees
must remember that raising your voice or losing your temper will never be
constructive in Thailand. Touching someone’s head is considered rude as head
is the most respected and highest part of the body and considered to be very
sacred. Thai people show great respect for their king and they expect
visitors to do so too. The national anthem is played twice a day (typically
at 8am and 6 pm) and also before every film at the cinema. Everyone is
expected to stand whilst it is playing. You should never insult or joke
about the king or royal family. According to simple lines of social rank
defined by age, wealth, and personal and political power all relationships
in Thai society are governed by connections between Phu Yai (‘big’ people)
and Phu Noi (‘little’ people). The last tip for all the TESOL candidates
would be to smile a lot while being in Thailand. To say hello or thank you,
to make a request, to apologize, to smooth over bad feelings or to show
embarrassment, smiling is always a common custom amongst the Thai People and
thus Thailand is aptly known as ‘land of smiles’.
