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Thai Lifestyle
Marriage and Family
Thai families are close, and several generations may live in the same household.
The oldest male is customarily the patriarch of the family. Members of the
family (even adults) are traditionally expected to abide by the advice of their
elders, although this is becoming less true. Families usually have two or three
children. On a farm, all members of the household share the work. When the
elderly live with their married children, they often look after the
grandchildren. A family’s youngest daughter inherits the parents’ home. In
return, she and her husband care for the parents in their old age.
In Thailand, young females have traditionally led a more sheltered life than
young males, but this is no longer the case. Marriage is discouraged until one’s
education is complete. According to tradition, if a young man wishes to marry,
he must first become well acquainted with the entire family of his intended wife
and make himself agreeable to them. He then asks his parents to make his wishes
known.
If both families agree on the marriage, a wedding date is set. The groom
traditionally pays a bride-price to the bride’s parents as compensation for
their having raised her. Some parents later return the items or cash to the
couple as a wedding gift. Pink is the traditional colour for bridal gowns.
Grooms wear either a European-style suit or a high-necked jacket (sua
phrarachathan) and trousers. Newly-weds in rural areas often live with the
bride’s parents until they have a child.
After polygamy was made illegal in 1935, many men openly kept mistresses, but
the practice is much less common today.
Diet and Eating
Rice (plain in southern and central regions; glutinous in the north) is the
dietary staple. It is usually served with very spicy dishes that consist of
meat, vegetables, fish, eggs, or fruit. Curries and pepper sauces are popular.
Typical meats include beef, chicken, and pork. Thailand boasts a variety of
tropical fruit year-round. Restaurants in Bangkok serve a range of international
cuisine.
Thais use forks and spoons at the table. They hold the spoon in the right hand
and the fork in the left, pushing food on to the spoon with the fork. Knives are
usually not necessary because foods are served in bite-size pieces. In northern
areas, people eat a steamed, sticky (glutinous) rice with their fingers.
Chopsticks are used when eating noodle dishes and in Chinese homes. Guests
usually receive a second helping of food and are encouraged to eat as much as
they can. Diners choose small portions from various dishes at the centre of the
table to eat with rice. Bones and other such items are placed on the plate.
Water, the standard mealtime drink, is drunk at the end of (not during) the
meal. When one has finished eating, utensils are placed together on the plate.
Socializing
Handshakes are widely used between Thais and foreigners in official and business
circles, but the traditional Thai greeting is the wai. How the wai is performed
depends on the relationship between the people, and there are many variations.
Generally, it is done by placing the palms of the hands together, with fingers
extended at chest level, and bowing slightly; women curtsy. The younger person
greets first, and the more senior person responds with a wai in a lower
position.
The higher one’s hands are placed, the more respect is shown. Bows and curtsies
are also more pronounced to show greater respect. The fingertips go above the
level of the eyebrows only to show reverence for Buddha or to greet royalty. For
other honoured persons, the fingertips may reach to between the eyebrows, with
the thumb tip touching the tip of the nose. A wai is always returned, unless
there is a significant difference in social status or age between the two
people, in which case the senior does not return the wai. For example, an adult
does not exchange a wai with a small child. Buddhist monks never return a wai.
The gesture can mean not only “Hello” but also “Thank you”, “Good-bye”, and “I’m
sorry”.
Thais address each other by their given names, preceded by Khun (for example,
Khun Sariya), and reserve family names for formal occasions. In formal
situations, foreigners may address Thais by using “Mr.”, “Mrs.”, or “Miss” with
the given or family names.
Men and women generally do not touch or show affection in public. However, good
friends of the same sex sometimes hold hands. Among the younger generation, it
is becoming more common for members of the opposite sex to hold hands.
When visiting, the person of highest social rank or age is treated with the
greatest respect. In all cases, how one sits, walks, or otherwise interacts with
others depends on the status of each person present. It is customary to remove
one’s shoes when entering a Buddhist temple or private home. Visitors should
avoid stepping on the doorstep because of the traditional belief that a soul
resides in the doorstep of a temple (wat). It is not necessary to take gifts
when visiting, but it is not uncommon for guests on extended stays to present
their hosts with a gift of appreciation.
In the home, people commonly sit on the floor, but do not stretch their feet out
in front of them. Women generally tuck their legs to the side and behind them,
and men sit cross-legged. Men might also sit with their legs tucked to the side
to show special respect to the hosts. Guests may offer compliments on the home
or children, but should avoid excessive admiration of any specific object to
spare the host embarrassment.
Recreation
Among the most popular sports are soccer, table tennis, badminton, basketball,
and volleyball. Traditional sports include takro (a game of skill involving
keeping a wicker ball in the air without using the hands) and martial arts. As
in many parts of the region, people enjoy movies and television. Kite-flying is
a popular activity, and many enjoy watching Thai chess, played without a queen
and according to its own rules.
Holidays and Celebrations
Although the government uses the Western calendar, Buddhist holidays are set by
the lunar calendar and vary from year to year.
Official holidays include the international New Year's Day (1 January);
Chinese New Year;
Chakri Day (6 April);
Coronation Day (5 May);
Royal Ploughing Ceremony (11 May);
the Queen’s Birthday (12 August);
Chulalongkorn Day (23 October, honouring the “beloved monarch”, who abolished
slavery and introduced many reforms);
the King’s Birthday (5 December);
Constitution Day (10 December); and New Year’s Eve (31 December).
Some important religious holidays include Makha Bucha, Asalaha Bucha, and
Visakha Bucha, which mark important events in Buddhism’s history. Songkhran is
the Thai New Year. Loy Krathong honours the water goddess for providing water
throughout the year; people float small “boats” with candles, coins, or flowers
on waterways.
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