PowerPoint Presentation

[Audio] Hi, my name is Shi En, and I am here to help you prepare for your upcoming trip to Thailand..

[Audio] This video aims to educate viewers with regards to cultural issues in Bangkok, Thailand..

[Audio] These will be the main points covered in this video..

[Audio] First, let us understand more about the geographical background of Thailand..

[Audio] Thailand is in central of Southeast Asia, the second largest nation in Southeast Asia. It is the 51st largest country in the world and has a population of 64 million in an area of 513,120 square kilometres..

[Audio] Here's a fun fact: Did you know Bangkok is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon? The city occupies 1,568.7 square kilometres in the Chao Phraya River delta and has more than fourteen million people ( 22.2 percent) living in the surrounding Bangkok Metropolitan Region..

[Audio] On the right, you can see how Thailand is situated on the map. Cambodia and Laos border Thailand to the east and northeast, and Myanmar lies to the northwest. To the west is the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma. The long southern region, connecting with Malaysia, is hilly and forested. The highest mountains are in northern Thailand. Thailand also controls the only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore..

[Audio] Now, we're moving on to Thailand's climate. The climate varies throughout the country. Anywhere north of Bangkok tends to have three seasons whilst the southern peninsular has only two. In Northern Thailand: Between November-May the weather is largely dry, although March-May tends to be far hotter than the cooler months of November-February. Between May-November rainfall is heavy and this is known as the wet season. In Southern Thailand: It is wet and dry, but these vary according to location. The west coast's (i.e. Phuket) wet season runs from April-October whereas the east coast (i.e. Koh Samui) suffers from heavy rain and storms September-December..

[Audio] After having a brief overview of Thailand's geographical background, let's continue with its general social etiquette and practices..

[Audio] Let's start off with learning how people in Thailand greet others. In Thailand, people greet each other by performing a ' Wai', which requires you to place the palms of your hands together and put your hands around your face. You then make a small, symbolic head bow to the other person. The movement is relatively quick and in one motion. However, the spiritual implications are significant. It is also essential to say Sawasdee, followed by Kha if you are female and Khrap if you are male to say hello. Furthermore, a Wai can mean " Hello," "Thank you," "I'm sorry," or " Goodbye." A Wai is not used to greet children, servants, street vendors or laborers. Never return a Wai to a child, waiter, clerk, etc. Simply nod and smile in response..

[Audio] In general, there are 3 common types of Wai that Thais use to greet different types of people. First is towards royalty, monks and buddha images etc, next is towards elderly and teachers etc, finally towards friends and peers..

[Audio] For the Royal family, Monks or Buddha Images Wai: First, put your palms together in front of your chest so that each finger is touching its counterpart. You need to lift your pressed palms until the space between your eyebrows is touched by your thumbs. The thumbs should touch the eyebrows, while the bowing motion is deeper and slower. For the Respectful Wai (to Elderly or people of higher status): You need to press your palms together. Afterward, raise them till the tip of your nose is touched by your thumbs. At the same time, the space between your eyebrows should be touched by your fingertips. The head movement is also quick and symbolic For the Peer to Peer Wai: Bring your hands to touch the middle of your chest and slightly bow your head so that your index fingers touch your nose; this is the basic wai, and it most resembles a slight bow. Instead of bending at the hips, this greeting only requires people to slightly bend their necks, almost like a nod..

[Audio] Here's a fun fact: Did you know when greeting monks, women wai after lowering the body by bending the knees while men only lower the upper body and wai..

[Audio] After learning how greetings are performed in Thailand, we'll now be learning the dining etiquette. Like all cultures in the world, Thailand has its own customs and rules when it comes to eating. Whether you're invited to dinner in a Thai local's house, eating with new Thai friends, attending a business lunch with Thais, or dining in a Thai restaurant, it's a great idea to pay attention and follow basic table manners..

[Audio] 1. Serving: All meals in Thailand are served family style with large patters in the center of the table for the entire party to share. Hence, do not take the last bit of food from a central serving plate; that means there will be none left in case someone else wants some..

[Audio] 2. Utensils: Secondly, In Thailand, spoons and forks are used (never knives). In Thailand, knives were traditionally designed for fighting. So, this weapon was completely banished anywhere around the dining table. If you need to cut things, use the side of your spoon first, then move on to the fork if necessary. However, thai food usually comes in bite-sized pieces so that you do not need to cut anything. If you are right-handed, keep the spoon in your right hand and the fork in your left. Eat with the spoon. Don't put the fork into your mouth. Use the fork to push food onto the spoon. Only eat with your right hand..

[Audio] Here's a fun fact: Did you know Chopsticks are not traditionally used in Thailand, except when eating Chinese dishes in a Chinese restaurant? Chopsticks are called ' Takiap' in Thai and are typically used for noodle dishes, Chinese or Japanese food only..

[Audio] Moving on to the third point, don't make noises while you eat in Thailand. Different from other Asian countries, slurping soups and noodles isn't a good idea in Thailand. Here's an example..

[Audio] Fourth, when eating, it is considered unhygienic and very rude to blow your nose or to lick your fingers. Instead, you should excuse yourself to the bathroom..

[Audio] We're done with the dining etiquette, moving on to body language, mainly what should you not do in Thailand. Don't point your feet: Pointing your feet at someone, raising your feet higher than someone's head, or simply putting your feet on a desk or chair are considered extremely rude in Thailand. The bottoms of the feet are dirty: don't show them to people! Avoid pointing feet at Buddhas in and outside of temples. When sitting on the ground, try to sit in a way that doesn't show others the bottoms of your feet. Don't touch someone's head: While the feet are considered the lowest and dirtiest parts of the body, the head is revered as the most sacred. Never touch someone's head or hair - this includes playfully ruffling a child's hair. Don't raise your feet above someone's head; avoid stepping over people who are sitting or sleeping on the ground. Keep your romantic gestures private: Like in many other Asian countries, public display of affection in Thailand may cause people to feel very uncomfortable. Kissing and hugging in public may be acceptable, but it's undoubtedly taboo in Thailand. Therefore, always do your best to keep romantic gestures to a minimum. When you're on a date with your special someone, whether it's in a restaurant, a theme park, or on the street, try your best to avoid hugging and making out. Only show physical intimacy in private when you two are alone..

[Audio] Don't disrespect the king: Never disrespect the king or images of the king, this includes currency - his picture appears on the Thai baht. Although Thailand's lese majeste laws are controversial, open disrespect toward the king can actually land you in prison! People have received lengthy sentences for Facebook posts that spoke out against the monarchy. Don't throw things: Tossing an object or money in someone's direction is rude. Take time to hand things to people properly, face-up, preferably with your right hand. Unfold money when paying someone. Don't point: Pointing at someone is considered rude in many cultures but particularly so in Thailand. If you must indicate a person, do so by lifting your chin in their direction. When motioning for someone to come over, don't use fingers pointed upward; make a patting motion with your fingers straight and palm toward the ground. Pointing at inanimate objects and animals is usually acceptable, but it's more polite to point with your entire hand rather than a single finger..

[Audio] Now, let's learn what you should do in Thailand. Dress properly: Make sure to wear modest and neat clothing while you're wandering around Thailand. It might be hot outside, especially during the day, but keep in mind that Thai etiquette and culture encourages a conservative dress code in public. Therefore, bring comfortable, airy clothes that help you stay cool and look modest. For men, avoid sleeveless muscle shirts or singlets. For women, don't wear tank tops and spaghetti straps unless you're wearing a shawl or cardigan to cover your shoulders. Both genders should avoid dangerously short shorts as well. The dress code is stricter in temples. In Thai temples, everyone should cover their shoulders and knees. You're likely to be denied entry if you show too much skin. The easiest way to avoid this situation is by keeping a big scarf in your bag at all times. Don't risk losing out on seeing the inside of a gorgeous temple just because you don't have the appropriate clothing. Remove your shoes: As in many Asian cultures, removing your shoes before entering a temple or visiting someone's home is essential. Some businesses, restaurants, and shops also ask that you remove your shoes. If unsure, just look to see if there is a pile of shoes at the entrance, or check to see if the staff are wearing shoes. This is why simple footwear is a good idea in Southeast Asia. It's better not to step on the threshold when entering homes and temples..

[Audio] After learning about Thailand's general social etiquette, we'll now move on to its cultural relationship practices at the workplace..

[Audio] As stated before, Thais greet each other with a ' wai'. While foreigners are not expected to initiate the wai gesture, it is an insult not to return the wai. If a wai is not offered to you, shake hands with men and smile and nod to women. A Thai businessperson may shake hands with a foreigner. Offer a ' Wai' only to a person of equal or greater status in your workplace, for example, your boss as subordinates should offer a wai first. Depending on how high the hands are raised and how far the head is bowed, you are showing more respect to the person you are greeting. When doing the "wai", avoid rushing the action. Slow deliberate movements convey respect, for the person you are greeting and Thai culture..

[Audio] Names and Titles: When you are talking to Thai business contacts, be respectful as Thais are pleasant and polite people that value respect. As they respect people, they also want to be respected. Hence, you should avoid being too familiar in business meetings or with people much higher in the company hierarchy than you. Use the term Khun before addressing a superior, which is equivalent to Mr., Mrs. Ms. and Miss. An example of the use would be " Khun Simon" or " Khun Pichaya". You should note that Thais usually address one another with titles and first names. Except in written communications or very formal settings, Thais hardly call each other by their last names as many Thai last names are long and difficult to pronounce. However, you should avoid using Khun in a very formal setting. For instance, if you are a worker in a company, it might be inappropriate to use Khun for the CEO of such a company. Instead of using Khun, it will be more appropriate to refer to the person with their title or honor. This helps you to avoid any issue that may come from being supposedly disrespectful to your seniors..

[Audio] Business Cards: Here it is very important to show respect for the business cards given to you as they are seen as an extension of the person offering them. When handing out a business card, always do so with both hands. If you have bilingual cards, hold the Thai side facing up and present it with the characters facing the other person. When you receive a card, take it with both hands and spend a moment looking at it. It is considered polite to make a positive comment about it. This could be remarking on the nice design or the convenient address of the office. If someone offers you their business card, try to reciprocate with one of your own. Take good care of the cards you receive for the future as relationships outside of the office are important in Thai culture..

[Audio] Courtesy and Communication: Courtesy and politeness are a cornerstone of Thai culture. It is extremely important to be always courteous and friendly and you should absolutely avoid being rude and inconsiderate. Showing anger and criticizing another person publicly is considered very inappropriate. Although you will probably not be called on it, it will make a very bad impression and you will lose face and the respect of people around you. A person's reputation and social standing rest on this concept. Causing embarrassment or loss of composure, even unintentionally, can be disastrous for business negotiations. In Thailand, being modest, self-effacing and respectful is an essential part of good behavior. If people experience embarrassment or awkwardness they often laugh or smile to minimize this feeling. When you notice people you're speaking with are laughing without any apparent reason, it could be better to switch the subject. In turn, if you feel embarrassed about something, laughing or smiling about it will help get past it and on to a new topic..

[Audio] Dressing: The first impression is very important when you do Thai business. And the first thing that catches attention is how you dress. Thai people dress very fashionably and classy, so make sure to do the same, all while being somewhat conservative Men are supposed to wear dress pants and full western business suits with light-coloured long sleeve shirt and a tie with no busy pattern, while women are supposed to wear a knee-length dress, business suits or a shirt or blouses that cover the shoulders and neckline with a skirt, make sure the skirt falls at least at knee-length. You should avoid wearing red especially as the colour is highly representative of anti-government sentiments in Thailand. Dark shades are usually acceptable and more expected than bright, vibrant colors. Stick to grays and browns since black is only used at funerals. The tone of the clothing shouldn't be too colourful, and no sandals only full-dress shoes. Since Thai's judge you on your clothing and accessories, ensure that your shoes are always highly polished. Use more breathable fabric like silk or cotton to combat the extreme temperatures in the country..

[Audio] Gifting: Gifts are commonly exchanged in business in Thailand. They are usually given when both parties are meeting for the first time as a sign or friendship and an appreciation of hospitality. Gifts should not be too expensive; it should be something modest and appropriate for the occasion. It's advisable therefore to opt for smaller, more reasonably priced gifts, such as chocolates, fruit, or flowers or a gift specific to your own culture or country such as merlion merchandise, for example. Expensive gifts can come off as offensive. Lavish gifts appear to be insincere and can be seen as a bribe. Wrap your gift in a bright colour; gold or yellow are considered particularly auspicious choices as they are royal colours. You should only choose red if the gift is for a Chinese Thai. Gifts should be wrapped attractively, since appearance matters. Bows and ribbons add to the sense of festivity. The number 3 is considered lucky in Thailand, so people will often give gifts in groups of 3. Don't wrap your offering in blue, green or black; these colours are reserved for mourning. Similarly, avoid giving carnations or marigolds as these flowers are used at funerals. When giving gifts or handing something to someone, use both hands. Passing something to someone one-handed can be considered offensive. If you are receiving a gift, thank them with a ' wai'. In Thailand, most people do not open their gift in front of the gift giver. They open their gift in private. When opening a gift, be careful how you handle the wrapping – ripping the paper is considered rude..

[Audio] After learning about Thailand's cultural relationship practices at the workplace, we'll now move on to its cultural difference.

[Audio] In Singapore, our public transport system which consists of our public buses, Mass Rapid Transit ( MRT) and Light Rail Transit ( LRT) system is among the best and most affordable in the world, which is also accessible, efficient, convenient and sustainable. Furthermore, Singapore's deliberate car limiting policy also affects citizens' decisions to own and use private transport. Hence, most of us prefer taking public transport compared to other forms of transport such as private transport, taxis, bicycles, motorcycles and others. In Thailand, there are Tuk Tuks, which are the famous 3-wheeled vehicles and most indigenous mode of transport in Thailand. There are also Songthaews which are small pick-up trucks which are comprised of 2 rows of seats at the back end of the vehicle for passengers to rest their legs on. Thailand's public transport system consists of their bus transport system, Bangkok BTS Skytrain which is an overground railway system comprised of the Sukhumvit Line and the Silom Line, Bangkok MRT Subway, and the train system. Most Thais prefer to take private motorcycles as their main means of transportation because it's more convenient and accessible..

[Audio] Singapore's public transport systems and public places set aside priority seats for elderly, pregnant women, parents with infants and others with mobility problems. However, Thailand's public transport systems and public places also set aside priority seats for Buddhist monks, as monks are highly respected in Thailand..

[Audio] In Singapore, education is compulsory for all Singaporean citizens and consists of six years of primary school, four years of secondary school, and one to three years of post-secondary school. The academic year in the Singapore education system is made up of two semesters. The first semester typically runs from January through to May, followed by a school break. The second semester starts in July, which runs until a break in November and December. In Thailand, nine years of basic education are offered in Thailand — six years of primary school and three years of lower secondary school. Generally, the Thai academic year begins in May and ends in March. There are holidays in March and April as well as a break in October..

[Audio] Singapore's national language is Malay. It has 4 official languages which are English, Malay, Tamil and Mandarin. While English is the most widely spoken language in Singapore, Singlish, meaning ' Singaporean English', the informal English dialect of Singapore is the mark of a native Singaporean. Singlish is a hybrid form of English that ignores basic English grammar and incorporates vocabulary from Malay as well as Chinese and Hindi, with many unique localized " slang" idioms. So, Singlish has become the unofficial lingua franca, and it is the identity mark of being a Singaporean for many. Thailand's national and official language is the Thai language with many variants while English is regarded as the official second language as it is taught in all the institutions of higher learning like the universities and secondary schools. Other spoken languages apart from Thai and English are Lao, Chinese, Malay, and Mon-Khmer..

[Audio] Singapore celebrates 11 national holidays each year. A majority of the holidays celebrated in Singapore are based on different religious beliefs. Many of these holidays occur on different dates each year because they are based on different calendars and the lunar cycle. Thailand officially observes 23 national holidays and several religious observances. As Buddhism is the predominant religion, practiced by over 98 percent of Thai citizens, majority of traditional holidays are based on Buddhist culture and beliefs..

[Audio] Singaporeans are encouraged to sing the Anthem on occasions of national celebration or national significance such as National Day where the National Anthem is played. Students in primary schools, secondary schools and junior colleges are also required to stand at attention and sing the National Anthem while facing the Singapore flag every morning before school starts to instil a sense of nationalism since young. Thailand's national anthem can be heard every day at 8am and again at 6pm, coming from televisions and radios and loudspeakers all over the country. When the national anthem plays in Thailand, Thais, no matter what they are doing, stop, stand still and pay their respects to Thailand's national anthem, to their King and to the country. Another important 'anthem' in Thailand, which you should be aware of, is the ' King's Song' known in Thai as " Phleng Sansoen Phra Barami" or ' A Salute to the Monarchy'. This song is played at state functions and whenever a member of the Thai royal family is present. It is also played before every movie in Thailand, and at live music performances and plays. If you're at the cinema, before the movie starts, you'll be instructed to rise to respect the royal anthem, which is usually accompanied by a slideshow of pictures of King Rama X and his late father, Rama IX. As Thais revere their king almost like a god, it is the height of disrespect if you do not stand for this song.

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