Exploring Thai Culture
Thailand is regarded as one of the quintessential oddities that the West has ever tried to fathom. The popularity of the country means that confused foreigners often pass through without ever really getting to grips with the people and the culture. To say that things in Thailand are a little bit different than in the West is like saying Paris Hilton is a little annoying. It?s a truth already known, and something that simultaneously delights and bemuses visitors the year round. This is surely part of Thailand?s unique charm in that it is so very different from back home. Everything from the Thai mindset to the food the people eat is like something out of a fantasy novel. At times you have to check yourself and be reminded that sometimes things just won?t make sense from a Western view point.
Thai culture is really something you can never tire of exploring. From the intricacies of the strange looking alphabet to the splendour of the temples and palaces, Thailand is a world within the world. Time spent in Thailand is an absolute onslaught on the senses. Around every corner is the distinct smell of certain foods; street dogs wander the streets casually, occasionally making pit stops in local convenience stores for scraps; old women with babies and men with diseases and amputated limbs beg passers by for money; and if you ever see a Thai fall over in the street, watch him or her burst into fits laughter as an outward sign of ?saving face.? You could spend an entire lifetime in Thailand and still be surprised by something each and every day.
People
The concept of saving face is in itself a topic about which many are often left bewildered. The basic idea behind it is that Thais do not like to look foolish. If a teacher loses his temper and shouts at a student, that student will lose face because he has been made to look bad. This is why Thais laugh when they fall over or if they just miss the bus after running emphatically to catch it. This is saving face, whereby the outside world is shown a physical sign that everything is OK, even if in reality it is not. For these reasons it is simply not the done thing to lose your cool with the locals as it can lead to embarrassment and a loss of face that may never be forgotten. Many visitors slip up here.
It is always best to remember that Thailand runs at its own pace. Time is rubbery and you can often be left frustrated at how blas? everything seems to be. Things run late and this is just the way it is. There is nothing you or anyone else can do about it except conform and understand that this is the Thai way and no amount of Western influence will change that. Take a look in a Thai office block and see workers casually strolling around in regular clothes, eating throughout the day, chatting with friends and celebrating regular birthdays and occasions with cake and snacks.
Eating is almost a pastime in Thailand. Thais seem to eat constantly. It?s a social event and is community building as people come together to enjoy food with one another. The general way of eating is for a large group to each order a plate of rice and then share several main dishes. This can be confusing for foreigners at first. After all, why would you want to share your meal with the rest of the table? This is Thailand. That?s just how it is.
Remember that phrase, ?this is Thailand,? and repeat it to yourself every time you get a little hot under the collar. It?s the most overused phrase in the whole country but it actually seems to defuse a number of awkward situations.
Another example of Thai kinsmanship can be witnessed on nights out. Often Thais will drink themselves under the table, but they do it together. The general rule of thumb is for a group to share a bottle of the desired whiskey with one another and drink and dance around a table. This dancing-around-tables fad is something that is yet to catch on in the West, but it seems to bring groups of friends closer together.
You will, of course, have heard about ladyboys. They are often misunderstood by Westerners, and the reality is that they are just human beings. Thai culture believes that ladyboys deserve pity rather than animosity as they have been placed in their predicament by the Buddhist principle of karma, which means they did something wrong in a past life to end up as they have. Be friendly to them if they ever approach you, and try not to make fun of them as they can be highly sensitive around Westerners in the light of constant jibing.
Art
To get a glimpse of the driving force behind Thai culture, look no further than that which is influenced by Buddhism. Religion is at the heart of the Thai psyche. From the everyday essence of arts, it is clear that Thai cultural expression is heavily influenced by the religion of the land. To truly appreciate the beauty of Thai art, a traveler should pay visits to an assortment of temples, palaces, architectural sites and displays of paintings, dance, music, and crafts. Thai culture is best represented when experiencing a blend of all forms of expression.
Inside Buddhist temples and palaces, classical Thai paintings await. It is interesting to view the common mural painting themes of earth, heaven and hell. The customs and traditions of the Thai people are also expressed through mural painting, offering visual accompaniments for a strong religious country. Colorful glass mosaics, ornate carved wood, as well as pointed towers are just some of the architectural elements associated with Thai culture. The best places to explore classical design are often at the royal palace buildings, temples and pagodas.
Buddhist art sculptures generally depict various images of Buddha. They can be quite awe-inspiring in their majesty and size. The creations of these works of art have gone through many different periods, as seen in the varying styles of presentation. Thai literature is characterized by historical verse, as well as the eloquent prose of today?s Thai writers. In dance, Thais use graceful, slow movements to express themselves. Popular drama options include marionettes, shadow plays, Thai folk opera and dance drama.
If you get the chance whilst in Bangkok, see if you can find one of the many performances of street arts that occur. At the end of 2005 Thailand?s first international community arts festival, Hoontown, was held near Khaosan Road. It was quite a sight and was based around puppet shows performed by local and international performers. There are many similar examples of artistic expression in Thailand, but you often have to look quite deep into to find them. Persevere though, as it can be very rewarding.
Language
Thailand possesses a deep linguistic history, evident from various inscriptions and historical artifacts. Today, the alphabet includes 44 letters, which were shaped from the ancient models predating the late thirteenth century. What is most baffling for outsiders is that Thai is based on five unique tones, so the same word to me or you can mean any one of five things to a Thai. The language is soft and interesting, and if you get the chance to learn some take it, as understanding the language helps to understand the self-expression of the people.
