Proper manners leaflets handed out to Chinese tourists

[Thaivisa News]

Chiang Mai:- Free tourist-information leaflets at the Chiang Mai International Airport now include “proper manners section” and Mandarin language.

“We wish to communicate with Chinese tourists about the traditions and culture here,” Chiang Mai Governor Suriya Prasartbandit told ASTV Manager on Monday.

He was giving an interview as he handed out some leaflets at the airport himself.

“They need to understand, for example, that it is not appropriate to hang their laundry at public places,” the governor said.

In addition to English and Mandarin texts, the leaflet also features animation so as to illustrate clearly the Do’s and Don’ts in Thailand.

For example, one of the animations says the tourists should not hit a temple bell with their leg or feet. Another, meanwhile, warns against littering.

“We have prepared about 100,000 such leaflets for officials to hand out to Chinese tourists,” Chiang Mai Tourism Association’s president Pornchai Jitnawasathien says.

Several posts on social media have lately revealed that many Thais are upset about some Chinese tourists’ behaviors.

Suriya said the complaint could simply arise out of the fact that some Chinese tourists did not understand Thai etiquette.

Chiang Mai has attracted a number of Chinese tourists each year. According to Pornchai, the number of Chinese visitors may go past 70,000 between April 10 and 15 alone.

Thailand is now celebrating its traditional Thai New Year period or Songkran.

“Songkran revelers, Thai and foreign, will likely spend no less than Bt2billion in Chiang Mai during the festival,” Pornchai said.

[jerojero]

Yes, teach those quality Tourists basic manners from leaflets. Headline: Common sense evades quality Tourists but are saved by leaflets.

[MESmith]

"Another, meanwhile, warns against littering"

Better print that in Thai & hand out to locals!

[NongKhaiKid]

Once the Chinese realise what is written guess what the leaflets will become ?

[linglop]

Leaflets in Mandarin? I doubt it. Think you mean Simplified Chinese.

[Just1Voice]

If my wife fell in the moat, I'd just let her drown. The funeral expenses would be a whole lot less than the medical bills from all the bacteria and viruses she would contract in that cesspool.

[pisico]

"Another, meanwhile, warns against littering"

Better print that in Thai & hand out to locals!

No, no! Thais are models of perfect social behaviour. The fact that Thais crash a queue, or that they don't allow people to get out of an elevator or bus before they go in and (among, many, many other things), push a cart in a supermarket in one direction whilst looking at something else on the sidelines and crashing into an innocent shopper are just cultural traits we all should respect. Now, if a Chinese should do something like that, that is bad manners.

If I had included, pissing against a wall in the street, zipping up and down in motorcycles on the footpaths, etc. I would have been accused of being a Thai basher by the OCD possessed usual suspects.

[maddermax]

I lived in HK for 20 years and frequently travelled to the mainland on business. I was initially horrified to experience the Chinese people's bad manners, eg, spitting on the floor in a restaurant, but then realised that it is not really their fault. I blame the Chinese communist party who, during the cultural revolution of the 1970s, killed off anybody with any education or culture so that they were left with the dregs throughout society. It is only those Chinese who spend longer periods overseas, eg, for education and business, that understand normal social behaviour.

One of the things which used to p*** me off was them queue jumping at the boarding gate at airports and ferry terminals. I would drag the offenders out by their collars and tell them in Chinese that I didn't care what they did behind me but they weren't going to push in front of me.

There is no point shouting at them. The only way is to calmly make them lose face. When we had to suffer smokers in no smoking areas I would approach them politely and tell them that I didn't mind them committing suicide but they weren't going to take the rest of us with them. The crowd then laughed out loud at the offender who, having been belittled, would put out the offending cigarette.

[mikemac]

"Another, meanwhile, warns against littering"

Better print that in Thai & hand out to locals!

No, no! Thais are models of perfect social behaviour. The fact that Thais crash a queue, or that they don't allow people to get out of an elevator or bus before they go in and (among, many, many other things), push a cart in a supermarket in one direction whilst looking at something else on the sidelines and crashing into an innocent shopper are just cultural traits we all should respect. Now, if a Chinese should do something like that, that is bad manners.

If I had included, pissing against a wall in the street, zipping up and down in motorcycles on the footpaths, etc. I would have been accused of being a Thai basher by the OCD possessed usual suspects.

You are a Thai basher, you clown, just too thick to realize it !

[Lupatria]

leaflets at the Chiang Mai International Airport now include “proper manners section” and Mandarin language.

Sponored by American Express - "Don't leave home without it."

[Jim walker]

And when paying the non-existing Jet Ski damage remember to smile and dont forget the tip, and say thank you to the kind forgiving Jet Ski man.

[SOTIRIOS]

...the hub of good manners....???

[BKKdreaming]

Anyone have a link to the 62 page PDF that the Chinese government made on proper behavior ?

I found it in English on one site but there was about 20 missing pages in the middle .

It is pretty good for ANYONE , simple with drawings

I never knew it was bad to fill your cup all the way up in Holland !

[Gandtee]

Yes, teach those quality Tourists basic manners from leaflets. Headline: Common sense evades quality Tourists but are saved by leaflets.

Yes. I hear what you are saying but when you first came here did you realise that it was taboo to touch a persons head, even in jest? To nudge something on the floor, or ground with your foot to select it? To sit with your feet pointing at someone? To accidentally tap someones foot while passing them can lead to big problems. How many times have we read of people being shot for doing just that? And shot by so called influential people who should know better. But of course don't. I read pamphlets on how to conduct myself when I first came here and even as naive as it appears, the leaflets handed out now maybe enlightening to the tourism bolstering Chinese. There! I've said it, and I'm glad

[Carl64]

Great idea. They should do that in every country !

[Guest]

"Another, meanwhile, warns against littering"

Better print that in Thai & hand out to locals!

No, no! Thais are models of perfect social behaviour. The fact that Thais crash a queue, or that they don't allow people to get out of an elevator or bus before they go in and (among, many, many other things), push a cart in a supermarket in one direction whilst looking at something else on the sidelines and crashing into an innocent shopper are just cultural traits we all should respect. Now, if a Chinese should do something like that, that is bad manners.

If I had included, pissing against a wall in the street, zipping up and down in motorcycles on the footpaths, etc. I would have been accused of being a Thai basher by the OCD possessed usual suspects.

I believe that you are confused by the “anti” Thai bash brigade with people who are happy and accept that no one .. is perfect.

Many of these retorts to postings like yours .. which are also a bit “OCD” are not about Thais.

It is about common sense. Many of us have been all around the world.

Not waiting in Queue? Where do you live? I am in constant amazement that Thai people will, without signs, an authority figure … etc .. wait VERY patiently in queue for trains, taxis and buses. And, when I do see a person trying to get cute and rush to the head of the BTS line? You guessed it … Farang. I do not know where you are to see this behavior .. it certainly is not BKK.

As for not being 100% focused all the time, and an occasional bump with a cart (can not say I have ever seen this, and very quick and real “I am sorry” would follow …) … where in this modern age … do people not wander about half brain dead with their heads n their “smart’ phones .. etc.

And again .. when I do run nose to nose with a “IPhone Zombie” … bingo .. a Farang Tourist who does not have that “sixth sense” that natives do to swim with the current.

The people, like me, who reply to your posts are not 100% Rah Rah Thai … trust me .. we all have our frustrations when our Logic culture collides with the rather mysterious decision matrix of Asia.

What we are saying is .. get a life … look at the bright side .. stop obsessing on very little things that gets your undies in a bunch. Try to make it a good day .. you could not be a better country for that .. because : HEADLINE – No (Thai) cares what you think, and this is a culture of respect where people are MORE tan happy to not have to deal with negative people.

So, file me under … Tired of the whining about every little thing … your OCD obsession with every little (normal) human flaw. I really believe you were really that guy “back home” where people would sort of sigh, stare at the ceiling, and ask for their bar tab when you wandered in. There is only so much B’ing and Moaning any of us can stand.

Please. Look around. Thai people are pleasant, cheerful and although you can not see it … intelligent. Your problem is simple … They are DIFFERENT than YOU. If that is a problem … best to return to wherever you came from. You can go there and bore people to tears with how awful Thailand was.

Edited April 14, 2015 by Guest

[Fullstop]

Seeing as how they never get a native English speaker to proofread signs and notices ... I'm guessing the Chinese Mandarin in these leaflets is equally bastardised.

[phil2407]

We have a poster at school saying cannot touch a persons head as very offensive ( including other things not to do and things to do ) but I regularly see teachers slapping students on or around the head!! Maybe it's a poster just for foreigners!

[Maroon Watcher]

Quality (Amounts of) Tourist THB

Translation: T ourist H igher B arts

Yes, teach those quality Tourists basic manners from leaflets. Headline: Common sense evades quality Tourists but are saved by leaflets.

[Benmart]

They are also telling the hot babes that nude moat bathing is compulsory!

Appears juvenile and not related to the issue at hand.

[Maroon Watcher]

Yep - works both ways

or even three ways in Thailand...

"Another, meanwhile, warns against littering"

Better print that in Thai & hand out to locals!

[pisico]

"Another, meanwhile, warns against littering"

Better print that in Thai & hand out to locals!

No, no! Thais are models of perfect social behaviour. The fact that Thais crash a queue, or that they don't allow people to get out of an elevator or bus before they go in and (among, many, many other things), push a cart in a supermarket in one direction whilst looking at something else on the sidelines and crashing into an innocent shopper are just cultural traits we all should respect. Now, if a Chinese should do something like that, that is bad manners.

If I had included, pissing against a wall in the street, zipping up and down in motorcycles on the footpaths, etc. I would have been accused of being a Thai basher by the OCD possessed usual suspects.

You are a Thai basher, you clown, just too thick to realize it !

Obviously a defender of Thais' lowest common denominator.

Is any of the items listed untrue?

Instead of joining the poorly behaved Chinese and Thais why don't you become a good example of good manners and deportment?

Why take the issue ad hominem? Defend addressing the issues and show proof that you are pointing out an injustice.

Edited April 14, 2015 by pisico

[naywak]

"Another, meanwhile, warns against littering"

Better print that in Thai & hand out to locals!

what a stupid comment!

If u despise thai people so much, just go back your wonderful country and stay with your wonderful people. im sure u did never travel in your life except going to pattaya every summer. Otherwise u would know that thai people are one of the most polite and respectful people in the world.

you are just a frustrated farang. We dont need people like you here. <<<< Thai language removed >>>>...

Edited April 15, 2015 by metisdead
English is the only acceptable language anywhere on ThaiVisa including Classifieds, except within the Thai language forum, where of course using Thai is allowed.

[catweazle]

And quality tourists they are! The leaflet campaign clearly shows it

[rodroy]

I lived in HK for 20 years and frequently travelled to the mainland on business. I was initially horrified to experience the Chinese people's bad manners, eg, spitting on the floor in a restaurant, but then realised that it is not really their fault. I blame the Chinese communist party who, during the cultural revolution of the 1970s, killed off anybody with any education or culture so that they were left with the dregs throughout society. It is only those Chinese who spend longer periods overseas, eg, for education and business, that understand normal social behaviour.

One of the things which used to p*** me off was them queue jumping at the boarding gate at airports and ferry terminals. I would drag the offenders out by their collars and tell them in Chinese that I didn't care what they did behind me but they weren't going to push in front of me.

There is no point shouting at them. The only way is to calmly make them lose face. When we had to suffer smokers in no smoking areas I would approach them politely and tell them that I didn't mind them committing suicide but they weren't going to take the rest of us with them. The crowd then laughed out loud at the offender who, having been belittled, would put out the offending cigarette.

Absolutely, the misnamed cultural revolution wiped out all social norms leaving the peasants turned commissars to set the norms and the masses imitating! Look what happened!

[kinmaew]

Maybe the Thais should read it first. I am seeing a lovely Chinese girl now and she is very polite and most of all reliable unlike most Thais I have met.

[wvavin]

Its best to barricade all historical exhibits for further safety measure.

[connda]

“They need to understand, for example, that it is not appropriate to hang their laundry at public places,” the governor said."

Hummm? Every apartment I've every lived at in Thailand, I've hung my laundry out to dry in public just like every other (Thai) resident. Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute. Looking at the source of the comment, I understand. Not someone who gets out and about to see how the 'little people' live. I'm pretty sure the CM Puiyai don't frequent my neck of the woods and <gasp> view my whitey-tighties hanging up in the sun drying.

[DrTuner]

Decades of communist behavioral conditioning removed by a leaflet? Good luck with that.

[JOC]

"Another, meanwhile, warns against littering"

Better print that in Thai & hand out to locals!

what a stupid comment!

If u despise thai people so much, just go back your wonderful country and stay with your wonderful people. im sure u did never travel in your life except going to pattaya every summer. Otherwise u would know that thai people are one of the most polite and respectful people in the world.

you are just a frustrated farang. We dont need people like you here. <<<< Thai language removed >>>>...

So if we are critical to Thai people throwing garbage everywhere, we should go home?

Lived here for 12 years (not a tourist) and find the increasing littering very depressing!!

You are just a frustrated Thai, who are offended by the truth.

Get a hobby or a life.....................