Where in the world is Bangkok, Thailand?
Size
- Area of Thailand- 513,120 sq km (double Wyoming)
- Population in Thailand- est. 66,720,000
- Population in the city of Bangkok- est. 9,000,000
Climate
Rainy Season: June-October
Dry Season: November-May
All Seasons: Hot
Age Structure
All Seasons: Hot
Age Structure
0-14 years: 19.9%
15-64 years: 70.9%
65 years and over: 9.2%
Religion
Thailand is a deeply spiritual country, with 95% of the population identifying as Buddhist. Visitors will see gold-spired Buddhist stupas scattered all across the country. Muslims, mostly of Malay origin, make up 4.5% of the population. They are located primarily in the far south of the country. Christians comprise about 0.7% of the population.
15-64 years: 70.9%
65 years and over: 9.2%
Religion
Thailand is a deeply spiritual country, with 95% of the population identifying as Buddhist. Visitors will see gold-spired Buddhist stupas scattered all across the country. Muslims, mostly of Malay origin, make up 4.5% of the population. They are located primarily in the far south of the country. Christians comprise about 0.7% of the population.
Cultural Notes:
General Reminders
Thais go by title + first name
Smile!
Thais and westerners differ on their reasons for smiling; the latter do it only when they are happy, the former do it in almost any situation to express any number of emotions. Failure to smile perpetually will earn you the reputation of being “fierce” and maybe even “hot-hearted.”
Be careful of other people’s feelings. It is OK to complain about the traffic jams, pollution, and floods in Bangkok, but other criticisms of Thailand and her people are never appreciated. The Thais are very proud of their country. Thais avoid direct confrontation; “face breaking” always damages the reputations of all involved.
Westerners prize self-expression; Thais prize calmness, politeness and respectability. Loudly and passionately expressing your ideas on any given topic is not likely to do any good, although it might startle or frighten Thais into some sort of maneuver designed to either soften you or get rid of you. Losing your temper means a loss of face in Thai eyes; “hot-hearted” (tempestuous) people are not well respected in Thailand. Remember that when you are in a foreign country, you are the foreigner.
Money
Don’t be too much of a penny-pincher where small amounts are concerned. Making a big deal about what you consider to be an overcharge of 10-20 baht, or complaining about a restaurant charging 15 baht for something that is only 10 baht on the street will only get you the reputation of being “kii-niew”, or miserly. A “hot-hearted” westerner will not be liked by Thais.
General Reminders
- Don’t touch people with socks or use them for games. - Never step on a coin or paper money. (It has a picture of the king on it.)Formal Titles
- Never use your feet to move anything, pick up anything, etc.
- Always remove shoes when entering Thai homes, a wat, or anywhere you notice a pile of shoes by the door!
- Do not step over anyone, including beggars. Wait for them to move out of the way.
Khun is the Thai equivalent of Mr. or Mrs.In less formal situations, nicknames are used. The nicknames are generally monosyllabic and easier to remember than first names!
Acharn (Ajarn) is the title for teachers (including missionaries and religious teachers)
Phra is used for monks and deity
Smile!
Thais and westerners differ on their reasons for smiling; the latter do it only when they are happy, the former do it in almost any situation to express any number of emotions. Failure to smile perpetually will earn you the reputation of being “fierce” and maybe even “hot-hearted.”
Be careful of other people’s feelings. It is OK to complain about the traffic jams, pollution, and floods in Bangkok, but other criticisms of Thailand and her people are never appreciated. The Thais are very proud of their country. Thais avoid direct confrontation; “face breaking” always damages the reputations of all involved.
Westerners prize self-expression; Thais prize calmness, politeness and respectability. Loudly and passionately expressing your ideas on any given topic is not likely to do any good, although it might startle or frighten Thais into some sort of maneuver designed to either soften you or get rid of you. Losing your temper means a loss of face in Thai eyes; “hot-hearted” (tempestuous) people are not well respected in Thailand. Remember that when you are in a foreign country, you are the foreigner.
Money
Don’t be too much of a penny-pincher where small amounts are concerned. Making a big deal about what you consider to be an overcharge of 10-20 baht, or complaining about a restaurant charging 15 baht for something that is only 10 baht on the street will only get you the reputation of being “kii-niew”, or miserly. A “hot-hearted” westerner will not be liked by Thais.
