KUPASONLINE.COM — Culture is a way of life that develops and is shared by a group of people and is passed down from generation to generation. Culture is also an inseparable part of human beings so that many people tend to think that it is genetically inherited. And every country has a variety of cultures and has its own characteristics.
One of the Southeast Asian countries that has a hereditary culture from their ancestors is Thailand. Here are some kinds of Thai culture that are characteristic of this White Elephant country and that attract the attention of tourists visiting the country there.
1. Adhering to a belief or religion strongly
The majority religion in Thailand is Theravada Buddhism with minorities from Muslim, Christian and other faiths. Buddhism in Thailand is heavily influenced by traditional beliefs about ancestral spirits and nature spirits.
Mystical yet unique things that can be found in public places and on the streets of Thailand are miniature wooden houses that are intended as a place for household spirits to live. This miniature house is given food and drink offerings to make the spirits happy because according to their belief if the spirits are not happy, then the spirits can disrupt their lives.
2. Wai or welcoming speech
The welcoming greeting in Thailand is a gesture called ”Wai” whose movement is similar to the prayer gesture (both hands are cupped).
There are two types of wai that are commonly practiced. This first type of wai is done out of respect for people who are more senior, to superiors, and to people of higher status.
The second Wai is done by cupping the palms of the hands then placing the tips of the thumbs on the forehead right between the meeting points of the eyebrows above the nose, followed by bending the body.
This type of wai is not followed by any kind of thanks, welcome, or sorry. This second type of wai is only addressed to Buddhist monks.
3. Thai people
The Karen or Kayin tribe is a tribe in Thailand who live in Mae Hong Son province in the interior forest. This tribe has a unique tradition because they wear brass wire rings that are wrapped around their necks and make their necks long.
They really believe that the women of this tribe are descended from the long-necked phoenix, so because of their understanding of this myth, they extend their necks to make them like a phoenix.
The Karen people also believe that the more necklaces that are wrapped around their necks, the more beautiful they will be. Actually this tribe originated from Tibet which then spread to Myanmar and to Thailand.
4. Thai wedding customs
The wedding procession according to Thai culture can also be said to be unique, the procession is according to the teachings of the majority religion in this country. One of them the bridal couple will wear a flower arrangement that both are connected to each other on the heads of each bride and groom.
Another unique thing is that the time between the engagement and the wedding procession took place very quickly, only a few hours after the engagement procession. If the engagement takes place in the morning, then in the evening a wedding will take place.
5. Thailand has a variety of celebrations or festivals
Thailand has several unique festivals that even attract the world’s attention, thus attracting many tourists who want to visit during celebrations in this country. Among them is the Songkran Festival which is a celebration of welcoming the traditional Thai New Year. One of the activities in this festival is gathering everyone in water war activities, even this festival is the biggest water festival in the world.
Another celebration is the Loy Krathong Festival. The tradition at this festival is that each resident makes a Krathong (decorative basket) made of banana leaves decorated with candles and fresh flowers, then the Krathong is washed away in rivers, ponds or lakes.
There are still other celebrations such as the Kin Jay Festival which are carried out by the local ethnic Chinese so if you want to have a vacation in this country, it is better to come during their celebration.
Those are the 5 characteristics of Thai culture that you must know before visiting this country. Unique and full of traditional nuances!(*)
