Thai Attitudes to Skin Colour
For many Western tourists to Thailand, at least part of the trip will be spent trying to get a tan. For those of us who come from colder climates, it’s not unusual to want to spend your holiday or vacation relaxing on the beach or by the swimming pool and taking advantage of the sunshine. [...]
Thai Small Talk
When you meet a Thai person for the first time and engage in conversation you may be surprised by the directness of some of the questions. What may be considered impolite or nosey in your home country is often perfectly normal in Thailand. Don’t be offended by questions about age, marital status or what job [...]
Thai Toilets
Most restaurants, bars and tourist areas in Thailand have modern and clean Western toilets so there is no need to worry if you are caught short when you are out and about. In the majority of cases the toilet will have what looks like a mini shower appliance next to it which serves the same [...]
Introductions
Being polite is important in Thai society, but there are times when you may think a Thai person is being rude or ill-mannered simply because the Thai way of doing things is often very different to many other cultures. One of the most common examples is when it comes to meeting new people because introductions [...]
The Elephant in Thailand
Elephants have played an important part in Thailand’s history and today the Thai elephant (chang Thai) remains as an enduring symbol of Thailand. In bygone eras they were used in warfare, but more recently elephants were used as a beast of burden, particularly in the logging industry. The elephant also has special spiritual significance with [...]
Ghosts, Spirits and Spirit Houses
Although Thailand is pre-dominantly Buddhist, there are many beliefs and customs which owe nothing to Buddhism, but instead have their roots in Hindu or animist beliefs. The presence of ghosts or spirits (phi) is a widely held belief and not something that most Thais take lightly; an unhappy spirit can cause major problems. There [...]
Stand Up for the King (Part 2)
I’ve written before about the Thai royal family and in particular the affection and devotion most Thais have for their king and queen. As Swiss man, Oliver Jufer found out, insulting the king is a criminal offence and as resident in Thailand for over a decade, Jufer knew the consequences of his actions. The offence [...]
