thailand+culture

Thailand has a vast culture, and has many varying customs that will seem unique to Americans. In Thailand, many human interactions are based off respect and an understood social order. Knowing one's social status is integral to one's ability to successfully function in the Thai community. For example, someone can address another person saying "you" in ten different ways in the Thai language. The ten different ways vary based off the person's social status that is being addressed. Touching someone on the head or pointing your feet at them is considered extremely rude, and one should never do either one of those to someone who is higher above in the social hierarchy of Thailand. When you are the superior person in a group outing, you are expected to pick up the bill at a restaurant, but never overdo it when saying thank you to someone for doing something for you that is expected of them. For example, someone working at a restaurant holding the door for you, a smile would be fine.

Social Hierarchy: Royal family Monks Family Reputation Income

These all play into one's social standing, and it is important that one is not ignorant to the social status of those around them.

A huge aspect of Thai culture is the wide world of sports. Football is the most popular team sport in Thailand. The more traditional sports are Thai boxing, kite flying, Thai Chess, Takro, and animal fighting. Thai boxing began about 500 years ago, and is still remaining a popular sport in Thailand. It actually has pretty good attendance almost every evening in both Bangkok arenas. In Thai boxing the two fighters are allowed to use almost every part of their body except for their head. Traditional music is played throughout the match. Takro is a traditional sport that is played all over Thailand and is a sport played with one ball, and all body parts can be used except for the hands. It seems somewhat similar to soccer. Below is a video of Thai boxing(the second video):

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One popular aspect of Thai culture is the traidtional Thai massage. It is said that Thia massage was initiated about 2500 years ago by Jivaka kumar Bhaccha, who was the Physician to Buddha. Thai massage is almost a form of yoga because the masseuse uses their hands, knees, and legs to massage someone. Thai massage is very rejuvenating, but also rigorous. Thai massage tends to go deep. They are also long, and vary between one and two hours. The aim of Thai massage is to align the energies of the body. Thai massage has become one of the more popular new massages in North America, but was obviously discovered long ago. Even though the Thai massage is an intimate massage, it should not be confused with sensual massage therapy. Below is a picture of Thai massage: