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Thai Culture
Of
course, the vast majority (95%) of Thais are Buddhists. Although
there are many Malay decent Muslims in the south, and even hill
tribe (Karen) in the north and western Burmese border area. The
traditional Thai greeting is the "wai" (like putting your
hands together to pray, but higher and lowering your head). And
all Thai's love their King and find any detrimental action or word
against either him, or their religion particularly offensive, even
provocative. So you should always pay utmost respect to both.
This includes
standing up straight and smart whenever you hear the national anthem.
Plus always respecting religious leaders and priests. It may be
"OK" to hold onto your seat in a bus crowded full with
old and pregnant women. But if a priest enters, you had better give
up your seat! Although most westerners find such things alien, even
oppressive. The Thais do this out of respect, even love, not command.
And you should be very careful to honor their undoubted grace by
following suit.
Thai web site owners, have you checked out our Featured
Sites Page?
"Siamfiles" - Don't be shy to suggest extra text, links
or other information.
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No matter what their origin, you will find Thais non-confrontational.
In fact, confrontation is frowned upon. So if you see a Thai looking at
you, smile! As there will be no malice intended on their part. And they
may just be looking for the invite to open communication. Many visitors
lose something along their travels, and many Thais say to each other "I
did try to tell them". So your smile might just save you from losing
your camera!
Of course, as with any culture, there are elements to avoid. But these
are very few in Thailand. As even the inevitable gangsters do not want
to "rock the tourist boat" (for sure). The largest "threat"
to tourists are pick pockets, fraudsters (remember, business is business,
nothing personal in most Asian cultures) and wanabe gigolos; The later
can be extremely aggressive. Although it is wrong to generalize. Ladies,
be wary of Thai guys with long and / or dyed hair. You can get good information
online from The
Thai Tourist Police.
Some useful cultural
links can be found on a number of the regional pages of this forum. But
here are some that may help you when you are traveling in Siam. If you
would like to speak some Thai, try
this link here. For arts and crafts, 
Thai Handicrafts
Site,
This Handicrafts Site and this one The
Bangsai Arts & Crafts Village may help. If you are after Thai
contemporary art, try Thavibu
Gallery. If you can include food within culture (and you should),
there are two excellent sites (with recipes) to get your palate working!
The
Thai Dish site, and TAT's
own food pages. Last, but not least, you can find numerous Thai Buddhist
sites on The
Dhamma Thai Organization's site and the
Thailand
Meditation Group, who arrange meditation retreat stays and classes
in Hua Hin / Pattaya.
Some "alternative
culture" web sites would be
My Thai Wife,
a site helping lonely hearts find Thai wives. Also
My Thai Fiancee,
site that helps you get them back home (Visas, etc.). If you are of the
the other "persuasion", then maybe the Utopia
Gay Resource is for you. And if the relationship does not work out,
you could always learn Muay
Thai Boxing here.
Open Mind Projects
is a volunteer site for people to spend their time helping the people
of Thailand.
And finally, if any Thai web sites are, heaven's forbid in Thai and you
need to learn the language, or you would like to learn Thai anyway, a
tremendous place to start would be the
Podcast Learn
Thai web site.
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