1. Sawadee Krap
This is a module to give you an idea of the Thai Culture and Mannerism.
This knowledge may help when you are visiting Thailand.
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We hope you find this module useful.
Enjoy the module.

2. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
To be able:
To explain the 5 aspects of Thai Culture
To explain the 6 aspects of Thai Mannerism

3. ABOUT THAILAND….. LAND AREA : 513, 000 Sq Km POPULATION : 65 Million
RELIGION : Buddhism (94%)
Muslim (4%)
CLIMATE : Tropical
LANGUAGE : Thai / English
CURRENCY : Baht
TIME ZONE : UTC + 7
MAIN SOURCE OF REVENUE : Exports

4. THAI FESTIVITIES – SONGKRAN
Thai New Year
Also known as Water Festival
13 to 15 Apr each year
People return to Provinces

5. THAI FESTIVITIES – LOY KRATHONG
Paying Respect to Water Spirit
Full Month of 12th Month of Thai Year
Made of Styrofoam, Banana Leaves,
Flowers and Candles

6. THAI FESTIVITIES – KING’S BIRTHDAY
5 Dec 1927
Parade to Commemorate
World Dignitaries Invited
Country beautifully decorated
Most Business Closed

7. THAI CULTURE

8. THAILAND…..
… also known as
LAND OF SMILES

9. THE WAI Traditional Thai Greeting Form of Respect
Hands Pressed together, head lowered
Normal - Chest Level
Dignitary Nose Level
Royalty Forehead Level
Offered by Junior to Senior
Wai not returned to Children, Hotel Staff,
Taxi Drivers, Waiters

10. THE LANGUAGE Sentence usually ends with : “Krap” for Man
“Ka” for Woman
Form of Politeness
5 tones
44 Consonants, 32 Vowels
Careful with pronounciation, may change
meaning if pronounced wrongly

11. NICKNAMES Reflection of “Sabai-Sabai” (Relaxed) Culture One Syllable
Name of Animals, Colour, Size etc
e.g. Goong - Prawn
Daeng - Red
Lek Small
Used more by Woman
More commonly used than Formal
Name

12. ADDRESSING PEOPLE Khun followed by Name or Nickname
e.g. Khun Andrew, Khun Nattiphol
“Pii” – For Older or Senior Person
“Nong” – For Younger or Junior
Person

13. MONKHOOD Common for Men to serve as Monks for 3 months Age 20
Serve before becoming soldiers
Important Act
Must be free from debt

14. THAI MANNERISM

15. THE KING Reign since 1946 Revered by Thais Do not criticise the King
Do not intentionally step on Thai Coins
and notes

16. THE HEAD Regarded as Most Sacred part of body
Head deemed to be source of
Intelligence
Avoid touching
Do not use foot to point to the head
Considered Disrespectful

17. THE LEGS Regarded as Unclean Do not use feet to point at things,
especially people’s head
Remove shoes when visiting homes &
temples
Sit with feet tucked at the side or
cross-legged

18. THE CLOTHES Dress Conservatively Wrong Impression
Considered Unfriendly
Clothing from lower part of body, not
to be left in high places

19. PHYSICAL CONTACT Avoid Intimacy in Public Against Thai Etiquette
Ladies should not touch Monks

20. GIFTS Avoid sharp objects When receive sharp objects,
return coin to giver
Flowers – Avoid Marigold &
Carnation
Avoid Green, Black & Blue Colour
Wrapper

21. IN SUMMARY…… Thai Festivities Songkran, Loy Krathong, King’s Birthday
Thai Culture
The Wai, Language, Nickname,
Addressing People
Thai Mannerisms
- The King, Head, Leg, Physical Contact, Clothes and Gifts