Sawadee krub! Have you ever wondered how Thailand has gotten its name of the “Land of Smiles?” The answer lies in Thai culture.
Thai culture, it’s not just about the temples and the food (though they are amazing in their own right!) But really, isn’t it always about the people? Warm and always ready with a smile, Thai people are renowned for their hospitality, and I can say for myself that the kindness I encountered throughout my trip in Thailand was genuinely warm.
In this article, we’ll go through some cultural concepts that make up the foundations of Thai culture as well as Buddhism, which plays a huge role in shaping Thai society. You’ll also learn about Thai cuisine, festivals, customs, and etiquette so let’s get started!
Cultural Concepts in Thailand
Sanuk
Sanuk is perhaps the most popular Thai concept. Simply put, it embodies the idea of having fun and enjoying life.
For Thais, “Sanuk” is not just a way of having fun; it’s also a way of coping with life’s challenges. “Sanuk” is a way of finding joy in the midst of life’s struggles, and of maintaining a positive outlook on life.
Kreng Jai
The term “Kreng Jai” can be translated to mean “awe of heart.” It is a deeply ingrained cultural value that emphasizes the importance of being mindful of other people. The concept is rooted in the Buddhist principles of compassion, which emphasize the importance of treating others with kindness.
In practice, “Kreng Jai” can manifest in different ways depending on the situation and the relationship between the people involved. For example, in a more informal setting, such as a social gathering with friends, “Kreng Jai” can just involve offering to help with chores, it’s simply showing consideration for others and being generally being kind.
Ma-ya-rat
Ma-ya-rat is derived from the Pali language and can be translated to mean as “the art of making one’s self agreeable to others.”
At its core, “Ma-ya-rat” is about being skillful in social interactions and understanding how to navigate different social situations in a way that is respectful. This includes both understanding social hierarchies and knowing how to communicate with people from different backgrounds and personalities.
This also involves being able to manage your own emotions, as well as being able to empathize with others.
Ramakien
The Ramakien is Thailand’s national epic, which tells the story of Phra Rama and his quest to rescue his beloved wife Nang Sida from the demon king Thotsakan. The story is an adaptation of the Indian epic, the Ramayana, and has been an important part of Thai literature for centuries. You can read more about it in my article here.
The Ramakien has played a significant role in Thai society as it has been used as a guide for promoting the values of compassion and morality.
You can find murals of the Ramakien in the Royal Grand Palace of Bangkok, one of our favorite cities in Thailand.
Bun Khun
Bun Khun emphasizes the importance of gratitude and reciprocity. It is a way of acknowledging the kindness of others and the obligation to repay that kindness.
Thais believe that when someone does something good for them, they are obligated to repay that kindness in some way. This can take many forms, such as offering assistance when needed or simply expressing gratitude.
Mai Pen Rai
“Mai Pen Rai” can be loosely translated to “It doesn’t matter.” The phrase is often used as a way to minimize mistakes and to avoid conflicts.
It’s the Thai’s way of having a laid back attitude towards life and a way of accepting things as they come by not getting too upset about things beyond their control.
What is the Religion in Thailand?
The predominant religion in Thailand is Theravada Buddhism which is the oldest surviving school of Buddhism and is widely practiced in Southeast Asia.
According to the National Statistical Office of Thailand, approximately 93.5% of the population of Thailand are Buddhists. While the majority of Buddhists in Thailand follow the Theravada tradition,
there are also small populations of Mahayana Buddhists, primarily among Thai Chinese communities.
What are the Traditions in Thailand?
Thai Folklore
The Thai also believe in the supernatural such as the Preta, a tall hungry ghost that the Giant Swing of Wat Suthat was mistaken for in the past.
There are also many stories of mythical creatures such as the Kinnaree, a half-human, half-bird creature known for its beauty and musical abilities, you can see the Kinnaree at the White Temple in Chiang Rai which we had a splendid time in!
Spirit Houses
Spirit houses, also known as “san phra phum” in Thai, are small structures that are used to house the spirits that inhabit the land. The belief in spirits, or “phi,” is not only ingrained in Thai culture, but it’s something that I’ve noticed in Burmese and Lao culture as well as I saw a lot of spirit houses around the streets of Vientiane.
Spirit houses typically come in a variety of sizes. They are often intricately decorated with colorful designs and would have offerings, such as flowers, fruits, and incense.
The spirits are believed to protect the land and it stems from the traditional Thai Animistic beliefs.
Thai Massage
Thai massage, or Nuad Thai as it’s locally known, is a traditional form of massage that originated in Thailand over 2,500 years ago and is based on the principles of Buddhist philosophy, Ayurveda, and traditional Thai medicine. It is known for its unique combination of acupressure, stretching, and deep tissue massage, and is often referred to as “lazy yoga” due to its focus on passive stretching.
In addition to its physical benefits, Thai massage is often performed with the intention of promoting healing and balancing the body’s energy systems. Thai massage therapists are trained to work with the body’s energy pathways, or “sen lines,” to release blockages and restore the flow of energy throughout the body.
Meditation
Meditation in Thailand is deeply rooted in Buddhist philosophy and is seen as a way to cultivate inner peace and to develop a deeper understanding of the self.
You can find plenty of temples that offer space for meditation and you can also join meditation sessions led by a monk, I really do recommend trying it out!
Sak Yant Tattoo
More than just ordinary tattoos, Sak Yant tattoos are very spiritual and are a traditional form of tattooing that are deeply rooted in the country’s cultural traditions. The tattoos typically feature geometric shapes, animals, or sacred symbols, and are believed to offer protection, good fortune, and other spiritual benefits.
The practice of Sak Yant tattooing is closely associated with Buddhism. The tattoos are often performed by a monk, using a hand-held needle and ink made from natural ingredients.
The symbols used in Sak Yant tattoos are believed to have spiritual properties. For example, the Hah Taew symbol, which features a series of five lines, wherein each line is believed to offer special blessings, from good fortune to protection and even attracting the opposite sex.
If you’re keen, you can get a Sak Yant Tattoo through here.
Thai Traditional Dance
One of the most well-known forms of traditional Thai dance is the Khon dance, which is a form of masked dance drama that incorporates elements of martial arts to tell the stories of the Ramakien. It’s known for its elaborate costumes and beautiful choreography. It’s quite similar to the Kecak dance of Bali which also draws inspiration from the Ramayana.
Thai Traditional Music
Traditional Thai music is often characterized by its use of pentatonic scales, which are scales that consist of five notes. The music is typically performed in a slow and measured tempo, with a focus on melody and rhythm rather than harmony.
One such Thai instrument is the ranat ek, which is a type of xylophone made of hardwood and played with two mallets. Other important instruments include the pi chawa, a type of oboe; and the khong wong lek and khong wong yai, which are types of gongs.
What to Eat in Thailand
Thai food is one of my favorite cuisines in the world! With such bold flavors and intricate spices, it’s always an explosion of mouth-watering flavors. Here are just some must-try dishes that I whole-heartedly recommend to try while you’re in Thailand:
- Pad Thai: Thailand’s national dish, a stir-fried noodle dish that typically includes shrimp, tofu, eggs, and bean sprouts, and is flavored with tamarind, fish sauce, and chili.
- Tom Yum: A hot and sour soup that is often made with lemongrass, chili peppers, and lime juice.
- Green Curry: My all-time favorite Thai dish, a spicy curry made with coconut milk, green chilies, lemongrass, and other herbs and spices. It usually comes with chicken and it’s perfect with rice!
- Pad Kra Pao: A stir-fried dish made with meat (such as chicken, pork, or beef), basil leaves, chili peppers, and garlic, and served with rice.
- Kao Man Gai: Thai-style chicken rice that will give Singapore’s a run for their money. A simple but flavorful dish that consists of boiled chicken served over rice that has been cooked in chicken broth. It’ll come with a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and chili.
What is Thai Language like?
Thai language, also known as Siamese, is a tonal language. This means that the meaning of a word can change depending on the tone or pitch used when pronouncing it, similar to Chinese. There are five tones in Thai language: high, mid, low, rising, and falling.
Also similar to Japanese, Thai language has a bit of gendered language, with “kha” used by women and “krub” used by men.
Thai language is a member of the Tai-Kadai language family, which includes other languages spoken in Southeast Asia such as Lao and Vietnamese. The Thai language includes many loanwords from other languages, particularly Pali and Sanskrit.
The Thai writing system is based on an alphabetic script, known as the Thai script, which consists of 44 consonants, 15 vowel symbols, and several tone markers. The script is written from left to right, with no spaces between words, and is often written vertically in traditional Thai documents.
Useful Thai Phrases for Travel
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Thai
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English (for Female)
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English (for Male)
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Hello
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Sawatdee Kha
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Sawatdee krub
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Thank you
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Khop khun kha
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Khop khun krub
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Sorry
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Kor thoad kha
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Kor thoad krub
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How much does it cost?
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Tao-rai?
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I don't understand
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Mai khao jai
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Can you speak English?
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Kun poot pa-saa ang-grit dai mai?
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Where is the restroom?
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Hong naam yoo tee nai?
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Delicious
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Aroy
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Goodbye
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La gon
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Traditional Festivals in Thailand
Songkran (Thai New Year)
Songkran, also known as the water festival, is the traditional Thai New Year celebration, which takes place annually on April 13-15.
The word “Songkran” comes from the Sanskrit word “samkranti,” which means “astrological passage.”
It is one of the most important festivals in Thailand, and is celebrated with smiles everywhere as people splash water on each other as a symbol of purification.
Loy Krathong
Loy Krathong is celebrated on the evening of the full moon of the 12th lunar month, usually in November.
The word “loy” means “to float,” while “krathong” refers to a small floating vessel made of banana leaves. During the festival, people make krathongs and float them on rivers as a way of paying respect to the goddess of water and asking for forgiveness for any misdeeds they may have committed in the past.
Yi Peng (Lantern Festival)
Yi Peng, also known as the Lantern Festival, is also celebrated on the full moon of the 12th lunar month so it would also be around November. The festival is particularly popular in Chiang Mai and most of the time they would be celebrated in tandem with Loy Krathong which makes for an even more amazing spectacle.
During Yi Peng, people release thousands of paper lanterns, known as khom loi, into the night sky. The lanterns are usually made of rice paper and bamboo. Inside each lantern, a small candle or fuel cell is placed, which heats the air inside the lantern and causes it to rise into the sky.
The release of the lanterns is a symbol of letting go of negative energy and making wishes for the future. Many people write their wishes on the lanterns before releasing them into the sky.
Phi Ta Khon (Ghost Festival)
Phi Ta Khon, also known as the Ghost Festival, is celebrated in the small town of Dan Sai in Loei Province. The festival is usually held in June or July and lasts for three days.
The festival is centered around the belief in ghosts, and involves participants donning elaborate masks and costumes to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck. The masks are usually made of carved coconut tree trunks or papier-mâché and are painted in bright colors.
It’s culminated through a special parade filled with dancing and performances and it’s quite a sight to see!
Customs in Thailand
- The Thai people have a deep reverence for their monarchy, and it’s really important to show respect for the king and other members of the royal family. It’s better not to talk about it in general, there have been cases of people getting imprisoned for having said the wrong things.
- The traditional Thai greeting is the wai, which involves placing your palms together in a prayer-like gesture and bowing your head slightly.
- Dress modestly, particularly when visiting temples. General rule of thumb is to have shoulders and knees covered. It’s also customary to remove your shoes before entering a temple.
- The feet are considered dirty so avoid pointing your feet at someone or touching them with your feet. You might also notice that men and women have different sitting postures when at the temple and the feet are also pointed away from the Buddha, it’s best to follow suit.
- The head on the otherhand, is the most sacred part of the body and touching another person’s head is considered taboo in Thai culture, even for children.
- Monks are highly revered in Thailand. Women are forbidden to touch them and you can’t sit on a position higher than them as well. Usually the highest seat is reserved for them as they are the closest to enlightenment.
Plan Your Trip to Thailand | Best Travel Resources
Book Your Accommodations
- Booking.com – the world’s leading online booking platform for accomodations around the world, they have an extensive amount of available listings with zero booking fees and best price guarantees.
- Hostelworld – a backpacker’s best friend, Hostelworld has the largest collection of hostels and guesthouses for affordable prices.
Don’t Forget Insurance
- SafetyWing – from Nomad Insurance, an insurance by nomads for nomads. They understand our lifestyle well and have really comprehensive and flexible plans that cater to any traveler.
Find Cheap Flights
- Kiwi.com – my go-to for booking and finding the cheapest flights and it’s helped me save tons of money. They do virtual interlining which is connecting flights from airlines that do not codeshare, so you can find routes that you wouldn’t be able to find normally.
Join Tours & Activities
- GetYourGuide – is one of the best places to find unique tours and activities. I found that it’s an excellent way to meet fellow travelers and create fond memories. They are not only limited to tours as they also offer niche services such as skip-the-line tickets or private transfers.
Catch a Ride
- Rentalcars.com – nothing beats the freedom of the road, Rentalcars.com is the world’s largest online car rental service. They operate across 160 countries so they’re the perfect partner to work with if you find yourself wanting a ride.
