Culture Ministry To Teach Politeness To Foreign Tourists

[sriracha john]

Culture Ministry distributes manners guidebook to foreign tourists

BANGKOK - Thailand's Ministry of Culture will distribute a handbook on Thai manners and 10 'Do's and Don'ts' in Thailand to foreign tourists to enable the visitors to understand and avoid doing things considered taboo in the kingdom, according to Ministrer of Culture Khunying Khaisri Sri-arun.

Khunying Khaisri said the handbook is designed to create more understanding among foreign tourists regarding Thai etiquette and actions that may not appropriate among the Thai public.

The Fine Arts Department and the Culture Monitoring Centre frequently receives complaints of inappropriate behaviour by foreigners such as placing Buddha image heads at inproper places.

"Some foreigners use the Buddha images as hatracks, some put them at the foot of their beds and some use them as a decoration in the product sales display cases," she said.

Many foreign tourists were found dressing inappropriately when visiting temples in Thailand, she added.

The minister said the handbook would be issued in eight languages including English, Chinese, Japanese and Arabic, and would be given to foreign embassies in Thailand for distribution.

The manual would also available at hotels, Suvarnabhumi Airport and on board Thai Airways International aircraft.

- MCOT 2006-12-04

[danone]

wonderful, thai people as the moral leaders of behaviours.

never mind how their own people are treated by their own people.

reminds me of the campaign of the very same ministry against the tour guide book "bangkok inside out", which was full of insights and truths, but too much to take for the thai taliban.

[alexth]

That's gonna be interesting...

[Cyberstar]

It doesn't sound as anything but the Don't and Do's, one finds in about each and every tourist handbook --- what a waste of money for the culture ministry.

[lordsux]

Maybe a handbook for Thais: 'How to treat visitors to your country' would be more appropiate.

[Dakhar]

10 rules.... (of cultural supremacy)

How childish

[londonthai]

ministry of culture, instead of promoting, cultivating and sponsoring traditional and modern arts, concentrates on something which is easy to do and spends all the budget for the year 2007 on the booklet

[farang prince]

It doesn't sound as anything but the Don't and Do's, one finds in about each and every tourist handbook --- what a waste of money for the culture ministry.

I don't think it's a bad idea at all. Perhaps it will prevent some tourists from behaving badly. Then again, judging from the posts on this board, maybe not....

[The Dan Sai Kid]

How many people really use Buddhas as hat-racks?

Anyway, isn't it illegal to take an image of Buddha out of Thailand?

[Upcountry]

I've heard that Bhutan requires tourists to follow a tour guide. At least Thailand is not like that!

[AlexLah]

Could the Thailand's Ministry of Culture please also point out the going rates for bribes to give, for example a business permit that repairs cars at a domestic area.

200.000 Bath is the going rate to my knowledge.

[sriracha john]

It doesn't sound as anything but the Don't and Do's, one finds in about each and every tourist handbook --- what a waste of money for the culture ministry.

I don't think it's a bad idea at all. Perhaps it will prevent some tourists from behaving badly. Then again, judging from the posts on this board, maybe not....

If it helps to avoid the misunderstandings like that which befell your nick's namesake who essentially was given a death sentence for what amounted to rude behavior, then yes, it would be very beneficial.

[bkkmadness]

Don't be misled by the title of this thread, they are only talking about a book which points out a few of the do's and don'ts in Thailand which any person would be advised to know.

They are teaching aspects of Thai politeness, not '10 rules.... (of cultural supremacy)' as someone said.

SJ, choose your thread titles better, most posters only get as far as that before there minds are made up and the fingers get typing.

[sriracha john]

Don't be misled by the title of this thread, they are only talking about a book which points out a few of the do's and don'ts in Thailand which any person would be advised to know.

They are teaching aspects of Thai politeness, not '10 rules.... (of cultural supremacy)' as someone said.

SJ, choose your thread titles better, most posters only get as far as that before there minds are made up and the fingers get typing.

Just used what the Bangkok Post's headline was for the exact same story.

Edited December 4, 2006 by sriracha john

[bkkmadness]

Well I guess your both useless then.

[SeanBangkok]

from Mangosauce "The news articles TV steals from Bangkok are interesting".... LOL

[Indifferent]

They came up with 10???

I can only think of 2.

1. Pay bribe.

2. Don't give them lip about paying bribe.

Flippancy asside though.

There are a couple of things that you should realy not do (like rolling a joint out of 1000 baht bill and setting light to it etc). But really, I've always found Thai people to make allowancies for foreigners far greater than foreigners do in thier own country.

[kayo]

Good Idea I reckon. I mean, these can be found anywhere sure, but those who pay no heed to the cultural traits aren't likely to look "anywhere" to learn them.

Could help a lot of inconsiderate people to have a better time in thailand.

[apetley]

Wish that they had had some of these to hand out last week to a minibus load of East Europeans I saw in Saiyok Noi.

Wandering around the main street in bikinis and speedos.

Not a pretty sight and getting some pretty bad looks and comments from the locals.

[PeaceBlondie]

One cultural gaffe I still make occasionally is to use my feet for something besides walking. If a small object is in the aisle, I'll move it over with my foot. Oh, no!

It's been three years since I got excited while teaching and accidentally hit a picture on the wall of you-know-who. That was very embarrassing.

It might be helpful if the Culture Ministry also mentions what is acceptable here that's not done in farang-land, such as digging boogers out of your nose, and going to the toilet without tissue.

[chownah]

Knowing how to be polite in a foreign country when traveling as a tourist is a good thing. Giving the books to embassies is a ridiculous thing if you actually want to get the information to actual tourists. As a tourist I NEVER went to an American embassy. I guess this will help to keep the cost down since one small distribution to each embassy will last forever.

Chownah

[The Dan Sai Kid]

If they want tourists to get these books they should give them out on planes - preferably ones heading to LOS!

[Berty]

I'll look forward to receiving my copy.

[The Coder]

The TAT web site has listed Do's and Don't in Thailand for years. I wonder if this is what will be distributed:

- The Monarchy : Thai people have a deep, traditional reverence for the Royal Family, and a visitor should be careful to show respect for the King, the Queen and the Royal Children.

- Religion : Visitors should dress neatly in all religious shrines. They should never go topless, or in shorts, hot pants or other unsuitable attireIt is acceptable to wear shoes when walking around the compound of a Buddhist temple, but not inside the chapel where the principal Buddha image is kept.

- Each Buddha image, large or small, ruined or not, is regarded as a sacred object. Never climb onto one to take a photograph or do anything which might indicate a lack of respect. Buddhist monks are forbidden to touch or be touched by a woman, or to accept anything from the hand of one. If a woman has to give anything to a monk, she first hands it to a man, who then presents it.

Social Norms :

- Thais don't normally shake hands when they greet one another, but instead press the palms together in a prayer-like gesture called a wai. Generally a younger person wais an elder, who returns it.

- Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body, literally and figuratively. Therefore, avoid touching people on the head and try not to point your feet at people or an object. It is considered very rude. Shoes should be removed when entering a private Thai home.

Public displays of affection between men and women are frowned upon.

Special Advice :

- Beware of unauthorised people who offer their services as guides. For all tourist information, contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tel : 1672. For information about Bangkok, contact the Bangkok Metropolitan Tourist Bureau, Tel : 0 2225 7612-4.

- Observe all normal precautions as regards to personal safety, as well as the safety fof your belongings. Walking alone on quiet streets or deserted areas is not recommended. Be sure that all your valuables-money, jewellery, and airline tickets are properly protected from loss. Visitors needing assistance relating to safety, unethical practices, or other matters, please call the Tourist Police at Tel: 1155.

- Drop your garbage into a waste container. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration id no strictly enforcing the law in an effort to keep the city clean and healthy. The fine will be imposed on a person who spits, discards cigarette stubs, or drops rubbish in public areas.

- Do not get yourself involved with drugs. Penalties for drug offences are very severe in Thailand.

- Do not support any manner of wild animal abuse. Never purchase any products or souvenirs made from wild animals including reptiles like snakes, monitor lizards, and also turtle shell and ivory. Avoid patronizing local restaurants that serve wild animal delicacies. It is against the law to slaughter wildlife for food in Thailand.

[Kilgore Trout]

Although this is Thailand and it is the Thai's own country and we as visitors should show respect (in an ideal world it would be assumed that those coming here are savvy and respectful enough to do their homework on Thai customs and manners, unfortunately as we all know this often is not the case) it would be wise for the Thais to do a bit of self evaluation regarding their manners toward visitors as well.

In Thai culture it is extremely rude to point your finger at someone, yet I can not count the times Thais have wagged their finger right in my face, be they vendors or people I don't know on the street.

Those of us who can understand Thai have heard the things said by Thais about us (in their company) that although may not be vicious statements are completely insensitive and rude. Don't assume that all falang don't speak Thai.

The list here could go on, I'm sure many of you have had similar or other experiences.

Cultural sensitivity is something we can all benefit from, and it doesn't mean we have to be PC automatons either!

[kmart]

Its not a bad idea, although as someone says above; the TAT has been issuing directives for years.

I just don't like the Orwellian-sounding "Ministry Of Culture". Maybe they should issue nationwide edicts / directives to taxi drivers first?

#1; Please refrain from stabbing your customers.

[lost_in_space]

it seems a little creepy that they didn't title it "thai-style politeness'...after all, politeness is a bit culture bound and arbitrary

it seems to me if TAT really wanted to be productive in this area, they would encourage Thais to speak up to falangs when theybreach rules of etiquette. most thais don't say anything, but just simmer about it. and then...

i live here and the damage done by rude farangs is a bit of an issue for us residents. i too often hear "why do you farangs do.......? when i never (well, hardly ever) do what they are talking about.

so, i think it's a good idea. it might make my life a little easier

[realthaideal]

"It might be helpful if the Culture Ministry also mentions what is acceptable here that's not done in Farang-land, such as digging boogers out of your nose, and going to the toilet without tissue."

I wasn't going to post because I feel like 'live n let live' as far as the etiquette booklet goes. It actually might be of some good and convenience if distributed at the airport. I don't want to get uppity about superiority. We all have seen Farangs lose their cool and then not get their way, whereas smiling and compromise would have worked, if only they really knew that was the way. And then there're the bikini clad Farang gals around town, or in the malls making them look 'nagliet' to the Thais. I can understand this now.

But cheers for the points on picking. They certainly are a nation of pickers. In cars, in the streets, in restaurants. Never seen anything like it. They have to cover their mouths when picking food from their teeth after a meal, because that's gross. But digging for gold right in front of you with a dirty mitt up a dirty nostril - perfectly natural to let someone else watch. That's one of those cultural opposites that always gets me.... and also has me wary of internet shop keyboards !!

[toptuan]

A headline I hope to never see:

Culture Ministry To Teach Traffic Ettiquette To Foreign Tourists

[FunkyGuru]

Maybe a handbook for Thais: 'How to treat visitors to your country' would be more appropiate.

Totally agree with that. From the millions who visit this country, it's just a fraction of a percent that misbehaves. Where as my experience, even after having stayed in this country for 5 years, is not anywhere close the image of LOS as projected outside the country. LOS is more of a myth. Educating tourist is one of most insane thing I have heard so far. How about educating Thais to speak better English?

Well sorry to my Thai friends if I sounded harsh, but this is 2006. Soon it will be 2007. Get real and get a grip on the facts.