Thailand is a wonderful country with a rich, cultural tapestry that spans for centuries. Over the years, the locals have established a solid reputation for being some of the warmest and most welcoming people in the world. And while it would be practically impossible to list all of the magical things about Thai culture, we’ve decided to narrow it town to our top 5 favourites!
1. “Sabai sabai” (comfortable and relaxed)
One of the first things that you will notice about Thai people is how laid-back and relaxed they are. Certainly, if you fly into Bangkok during rush hour, this won’t be immediately apparent, however, after having spent some time getting a feel for the country, you’ll understand exactly what we mean.
The Thai people don’t like to take things or themselves too seriously and it’s a magical and very infectious aspect of their culture.
2. “Sanuk” (playful humour)
Thailand is affectionately referred to as the land of smiles, with good reason. The concept of “Sanuk” (having a playful sense of humour) is a large contributing factor to this. Essentially, most people in Thailand are dedicated to being pleasant and playful with one another, whether it be a family member or friend, or a complete stranger on the street.
3. “Wai Phra” (spiritual offerings)
The Thai people are very religious (with the large majority of the country practising Theravada Buddhism), and this is apparent in their everyday life. One thing that you will notice, is that practically every building you enter will have a mini shrine (San Phra Phum) with little offerings of food, flowers, water and alcohol. Whether you are staying in a hotel, hostel, or renting short-term accommodation at the Oriental Residence Bangkok, there will almost certainly be one of these shrines present. Not only do they look beautiful, but it’s a truly fascinating aspect of Thai culture that you will come to adore.
4. “Mai Pen Rai” (no worries)
“Mai pen rai” is one of the best Thai phrase as it translates to “no worries”. This attitude is present in many aspects of Thai culture because they firmly believe that it is never worth getting yourself worked up over little incidents and disappointments.
5. “Kreng Jai” (being aware of other people’s feelings)
While being truthful and direct (even if it means being rude or offensive) is often valued in most Western countries, in Thailand, the locals tend to avoid such actions in order to allow the people around them to “save face”.
Saving face is a huge part of Thai culture because they would much rather everyone feel happy and comfortable, rather than unnecessarily embarrassed. To the Thai’s, being respectful and non-confrontational is considered the height of social etiquette.
Final thoughts
You could spend a lifetime in Thailand and you would still find yourself pleasantly surprised on the regular. They’re a wonderful people with a rich and dynamic culture and if you are interested in exploring a stunning country with an enduring air of magic about the place, then Thailand is, without question, the place to be!