It shows the people a willingness for tourists to learn their language and culture and helps to create and establish relationships or friendships that could lead to further understanding of that Country and the ways of life.
Word of mouth and communication is often much more powerful and fruitful than reading articles from magazines or looking things up online.
Which is what I found learning about Thai culture and language basics from the staff at the ENP...
LANGUAGE BASICS
Sa wa Dee* - Hello
Khob Khun - Thank you
Fob gun mai - See you later!
Lab fun de - Sweet Dreams
Ra tree sa wad - Goodnight
(*After every sentence, end with 'Kah' (if female) and 'Krab' (if male), e.g., I would say: Khob Khun Kah))
Ka - Yes
Ma Chai - No
Khan - You
Sa buy de mai? - How are you?
Sa buy de - I'm fine
Yin de - You're welcome
Mai pen rai - No Problem / Never Mind
Khun cheu arai? - What is your name?
Chan (F) / Pom (M) cheu - My name is _____
Chan (F) / Pom (M) rak khun - I love you
Tao rai? - How much?
Lod da mai? - Can I have a discount?
Hong naam yoo tree nai? - Where is the bathroom?
THAI CULTURE BASICS
Women
- Must not show shoulders, knees or above clothing-wise.
This is considered as inappropriate. Only sacred for husband. (As Eak would tell all the girls on camp, "No bikini - No sexy!")
- A family dowry still exists if a man wishes to marry them.
People
- Must not hold hands or kiss in public.
- Considered inappropriate to touch someone on the head, as it is considered the most sacred part of the body.
- Not uncommon for people to give nicknames to each other, and surnames are rarely used on a daily basis and more so just for formal documentation.
- King Bhumibol recently passed away (13th October 2016) and the people have taken to wearing black ribbons and clothing out of respect for the King.
- Gifts are not opened when received, and try not to give Thai people Marigolds, Carnations or wrap the gift in blue, black or green paper, as these are associated with funerals.
Food
- Always leave a little bit of food left on the plate to show you are full. If you finish everything, it implies you are still hungry.
- The usual eating utentsils are a fork and spoon, but mainly chopsticks are used for noodle based dishes.
- Never take the last bite from the serving bowl.
- Do not lick your fingers.
- Sticky rice (A Thai delicacy) is often eaten with the fingers of the right hand. (But make sure you have a something to wipe off the excess so as not to lick your fingers after!)
Religion
- Mainly Buddhism but Islam religion is the largest minority.
- Must NOT buy Buddha statues for home or jewellery. Sign of disrespect to the Religion.
- Small shrines can be found in Gardens, outside shops or along streets to offer things like food or drink to Buddha. Can then be taken home and used again, as now considered to be lucky.
- Monks not allowed to be left alone with a single woman, however, are allowed to marry. Only some can have just one meal per day. Food can be offered to them by the public on the streets.
- Shoes are removed before entering someone's home or religious buildings.
- Try to step over the threshold and not on it (ancient custom).
- When greeting, bowing or saying thank you, it's appropriate to clasp hands in prayer position, addressing the person differently according to your relationship with them, e.g., the thumbs of the hands must be at the;
- Mouth = Teacher
- Nose = Friends / Friends parents
- Chin = Family
- Head = Monk / Someone of higher stance than you
This is called "wai-ing".
Stace x
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