PANNASASTRA UNIVERSITY OF CAMBODIA

Interpersonal communication in Thailand’s Culture

Commitment to Excellence

MEMBER

CONTENT

-Mr. Keo Song

-Ms. Keo Sovannary

-Ms. Saing Saranin

-Ven. Suong Sothun

-Ven. Voern Davin

-Introduction

-Communication with foreigner

-Communication in school

-Communication in society

-Communication in Business

-Thai culture

• Location in South East Asia• Population 68,146,609 in 2016• Greeting “Wai”

INTRODUCTION (By Keo Song)

Communication with foreignerBy Keo Song

• Smiling• Thai People are very friendly• Shy with Foreigner• 30 % can speak English

Why Thai cannot speak EnglishBy Keo Song

• They're Thai. They speak Thai. We're in Thailand.

• Nationalism• Bored in learning Foreign language esp,

English language.Bored of learning

English; 40%

Really Bored of learning

English; 60%

Communication in Thai SchoolBy Ven. Suong Sothun

Respect for Thai teachers ceremony

• How to visit a Thai school

Communication in Thai SchoolBy Ven. Suong Sothun

Do’s and don’ts at Thai school1.Don’t touch the students on the head or

ruffle their hair2.The foot is regarded as “unclean”3.Thai students take their monarchy and

religion very seriously4.A word you will pick up quickly is “sanook”5.Do try and learn some Thai and use it in the

locals6.Offer and receive objects with your right

hand7.You need to be aware of the level of your

head at all times.

Communication in Thai SchoolBy Ven. Suong Sothun

Communication in Thai SchoolBy Ven. Suong Sothun

8. Also be careful where you sit9. The Thai greeting is a “wai”10. If you are a male teacher, be careful

of being alone with a female teacher or student.

11. Thai people tend to laugh to cover embarrassment or avoid loss of face

12. You will be expected to dress smartly and behave correctly while at school and on your journeys to and from school

13. By law, smoking is not allowed in the school grounds

Thai SocietyBy Ven. Voeun Davin

• Thai can be broken down into various regional groups with their own regional varieties of Thais.

The Central ThaiBy Ven. Voeun Davin

These groups include Central Thai That we have known as Bangkok or Krung Tep Thais who are living in the central of Thailand using the standard variety of the languages.

• The Isan , This part of Thailand, the people who are living more closely related to the standard Lao of Laos rather than the standard Thai because the Isan people using their own language and culture, We called Isan languages. This part including “ Udonthani, Ubunthani , Sisaket..Surin….etc.

The Thai “Isan”By Ven. Voeun Davin

• These group of people who are living at the southern of Thailand. This part has become more dominant due to official government policy, which was designed to assimilate and unify the disparate.

• The Lanna people live their lives with their own cultures and languages ( Lanna language or Pheasa Neou) as well. This part included with Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai…ets.

The Thai “Lanna”By Ven. Voeun Davin

• Using “Wai” for greeting with a Thai business person

Communication in BusinessBy Keo Sovannary

Communication in BusinessBy Keo Sovannary

• The Lower-status person is always addressed first in an introduction

Communication in BusinessBy Keo Sovannary

• Using word “ Khun” before given name

Ex: Anuwat (Given) + Wattapongsiri (Family) is Khun Anuwat.

Communication in BusinessBy Keo Sovannary

• Business Meeting Etiquette Appointments are necessary and should be made

appointment as far in advance as possible Arriving at meeting on time Written material should be available in both English and

Thai Attending business meetings you should always dress

conservatively

Thai CultureBy Saing Saranin

Culture• Mixes strong influences with Indian and

Chinese. • It’s 50th largest country in the world with

and area roughly equal to that of France.

Cultural IdentityBy Saing Saranin

• Much of Thailand’s culture comes from the ethnic Thai people.

• One of the most important influence on Thai culture has been Buddhism.

• Thai culture is deeply influences by religion.• 95% of the country being Theraveda Buddhist, the

belief system and values of Buddhism play a huge role in day-to-day life.

• Respect for elders and for those in higher social position.

ValuesBy Saing Saranin

GreetingsBy Saing Saranin

• Being polite and respectful to others.• Thai used the traditional greeting and

hand gesture.

Thanks for your attention