2. Winnie

3. Cyan

4. Daniel

6. National Flag 5 horizontal stripes of three colours: Red : Thelife-bloodof Thai people. Blue: The Thai King, the monarchy White: The purity of Buddhism, the national religion Thai = “Freedom" Thailand = "Land of the Free".

7. National Flower “Ratchaphruek” (or golden shower) Widely known to Thais Cluster-shaped flowers Summer Color : shining yellow

10. Geography

11. Four Natural Regions North mountains and forests Central Plainsvast rice fields Northeast plateau semi-arid farm lands Peninsula Southtropical islands long coastline 76 provinces Capital city: Bangkok

12. Weather

13. Temperature & Rainfall Summer Winter Monsoons DRY RAINY COOL

14. Population and Ethnics

15. Population & Ethnics About 65,000,000 people

16. Language

17. Language Thai English (secondary language) Mandarin Vietnamese Isan Other ethnic and regional languages and dialects

18. History

19. History of the Thai Kingdoms Nanchao Period (650-1250 A.D.) Sukhothai Period (1238-1378 A.D.) Ayutthaya Period (1350-1767) Thon Buri Period (1767-1772) Chakri Dynasty Period (1782 - the Present)

20. How did history affect the development of culture? Respect for King Maintain of the national independence  customs and culture are well kept E.g.: Sports Festival Languages Gestures Food Arts…etc

21. Sukhothai Period (1238-1378 A.D.) Feudalism

22. Ayutthaya Period (1350-1767) Political change : Adoption of the Khmer and Burmese organizational models  To strengthen the power, legitimacy , and authority of the king Kingship redefined Hindu concept KING = divine, a god king

24. Extraterritorial rightsLoss of national sovereignty on the part of the kingdom Escaped from colonialism National independence was retained

26. Assisted the Allied war effort

28. Can anyone tell me more about modern politics and the government? Modern Politics and the government

29. Political Crisis 2006 coup d'état A militarygovernment overthrew the government of Thaksin 2008-2009 Thai political crisis The People's Power Party formed a government

30. How political crisis affect hospitality in Thailand? In November 2008: Thousands of supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) closed Bangkok airport Politics Crisis

32. Hong Kong residents should avoid unnecessary travel to Bangkok.

33. Those who are already in Bangkok should attend to their personal safety

35. Prostitution Thais have viewed sex rather casually throughout history Exploitation of women is acceptable Return home with respect because of the money they bring to support their family Rapid industrialization Loss of secondary sources of nonfarm income from forests around villages Unemployment Social Problems

36. Social Problems Prostitution Prostitution is illegal, actual number of sex workers is almost impossible to estimate 200-300 thousands women 100,000 male prostitutes

37. Social Problems How prostitution affect hospitality in Thailand? Big sex tourism in Thailand The biggest and the most famous red-light district in the world karaoke places go-go bars include lots of dancers and hostesses

38. Social Problems Street gang and terrorism in Thailand Drug gangs Gangs Piglet Gangs Terrorism 2006 Bangkok bombings 2007 South Thailand bombings

39. Social Problems Street gang and terrorism in Thailand 2006 Bangkok bombings New Year's celebrations at some popular areas were cancelled Amongst the victims eight tourists were hurt

40. Social Problems How street gangs and terrorism affect hospitality in Thailand? Bring social instability Lots of films took Thai gangs as background -> affect destination image Bangkok Dangerous (1999 film) and Bangkok Dangerous (2008 film) directed by the Pang Brothers Tourists may feel insecure

41. Social value seems quite important in Thailand, right? Social Values

42. Social Values Less important Freedom and equality are comparably More important National security, religious/ spiritual life, a comfortable life, family happiness, self-esteem, emphasizing social relations

43. “bunkhun” means grateful relationships Tourist authority of Thailand has promoted the country as the ‘land of smiles’ Foreigners interpret smiling as happiness and satisfaction How this affects tourism in Thailand

44. Is Buddhism the only religion in Thailand? Or there are more religions? Religion and Ethnicity

45. Introduction Ancient Thai religion Animism Modern Thai religion Buddhism (Over 90%) Muslim (10%) (significant population in Bangkok) Christian (a few) Hinduism

46. Ancient Thai religion – Thai Animism Believe there are many spirits in the world Spirit houses Ask for a wish to be fulfilled

47. Buddhism in Thailand –History 3rd century B.C. First brought to the Chao Phaya River Basin

48. Theravada Buddhism Not pure Buddhism but interweave with: Hinduism Animism Local traditions, beliefs, and customs Evil have great power (beliefs from Animism) Buddhist monks counter evil

49. How does Buddhism affect Thailand? Socially Moral foundation-for promoting general peace and harmony society Highly revered monks-are participants in state celebrations and rituals

50. How does Buddhism affect Thailand? (cont’d) Socially Temple (wat) is the heart of social and religious life King is the ultimate head of Buddhism in Thailand -appoint Sangha (priesthood)

51. Socially Images of Buddha are found everywhere

52. How does Buddhism affect Thailand? (cont’d) Examples of Thai people taking religion quite seriously: Put their hands together in a wai when passing a temple Give food to monks Worship regularly Do good work to gain merit Young men enter the monkhood for a period of time Marriage have nine monks perform in the wedding

53. How does Buddhism affect Thailand? (cont’d) Politically Buddhism and the state Closely aligned with the state in Thailand Officially sponsored by the Thai Government One of the three major elements of Thai identity

54. How religion affect Hospitality Young men enter the monkhood 80%-90% young males Buddhistbecome monks for at least a few months Time off from work must be given automatically . Decrease the labour force availability in the market Affect the operation of hotels and any other companies.

55. How religion affect Hospitality Erawan Shrine (Hinduism) One of the most famous Buddha Bailongwang A famous fortune-teller Both of them Attract Asians to visit Thailand Bring huge amount of travel expenditure to there Boost tourism sector and local economy

56. What is Thai culture like? Culture

61. Lady boys- the third sex Man chooses to live as a woman Complete sex change operation no. of lady boys in Thailand is close to 200,000 individual Most of them are performers and sex workers

62. How Thailand lady boys affect the hospitality industry? One of the uniqueness Even if it was illegal, no one is restricted to watch lady boy performance(“broaden our horizon”) Elderly, young children can take a glimpse of this entertainment Lady boys show = Must do activity Increase revenue of the country

64. Sour (vinegar, lime juice, tamarind)

65. Spicy (chilies)

66. Salty (fish sauce, soy sauce) e.g. tongyam Served in family style Don’t chat during meals (bad manner)

67. Dining together Order one of each kind of dish ( e.g. spicy, sour sweet, salty) preferred Impolite Spoonful of steaming hot food Don’t chat during meals (bad manner) Thai herbs added to traditional cuisine (medical use) e.g. black pepper and varieties of basil are common curry ingredients

69. How Food affect the hospitality industry? Menus and recipes need to be adjustedThai: family sizeTourists: individual size Children may not adapt to those spicy food Spicy can be count as a barrier to some tourists Some tourists cannot take the strong taste get allergies from several kinds of herbs used in Thai dishes

71. Influenced by Sanskrit and Pali

72. Authentic Thai: mono or bi-syllabic

73. High cultural level

74. Rich and uniquely picturesque expressiveness

75. Written Thai proceeds from the left to the right

76. Adapting the level of politeness

77. Different rank/class of people

79. Thailand’s King King Bhumibol Adulya as Rama IX. Reigned Thailand over 60 years World longest reigning monarch Abiding reverence, loyalty Reliable and stabilizing force “Inviolable” by Constitution

80. How Thai King affect the hospitality industry? Show respect to Thai King Mind their behavior Beware of their language Being restricted Easily cause conflicts with locals

81. Portrait everywhere (e.g. buildings wall, shopping mall’s main gate) Royalty Yellow shirt Representing their country

82. How Thai King affect the hospitality industry? Tourists need to be aware and show respect to Thai King Mind their behavior, fashion and language Tourists not familiar with these traditions, may cause conflicts with locals

83. Relationship between Thai culture and hospitality industry Hospitality

84. Sawadi (Bye)Hope you enjoy the slides Thanks for joining us  Khob-kun-Ka (Thank You)

85. References Amazing Thailand (2003). Retrieved October 10, 2009 from Tourism Authority of Thailand, Web site: http://www.tourismthailand.org/# Bangkok Smiles (2004). Retrieved October 11, 2009 from Bangkok Tourism Division, Web site: http://www.bangkoktourist.com/ CIA - The world factbook -- thailand (2009). Retrieved October 16, 2009 from The Central Intelligence Agency, Web site: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/th.html Discover Asia Thailand's World (2009). Retrieved October 17, 2009 from, Web site: http://www.thailandsworld.com/index.cfm?p=445 Grand Festival 2009 (2002). Retrieved October 17, 2009 from, Web site: http://www.thailandgrandfestival.com/calendar.asp

86. Northern thailand climate and weather (2009). Retrieved October 15, 2009 from http://www.thaifocus.com/climate.htm Thai Arts (1995). Retrieved October 17, 2009 from the Prime Minister, Royal Thai government, The National Identity Office Web site: http://sunsite.au.ac.th/thailand/Thai_Arts/archi.html Thailand climate, thailand temperature, thailand weather (2009). Retrieved October 15, 2009 from http://www.asiarooms.com/travel-guide/thailand/thailand-overview/thailand-climate.html Thailand- land of smiles (2006). Retrieved October 10, 2009 from, Web site: http://www.tourismthailand.org/# Thai Food to The World (2005). Retrieved October 18, 2009 from, Web site: http://www.thaifoodtoworld.com/home/index.php

87. Kislenko, A. (2004). Culture and Customs of Thailand. : Greenwood Press Slagter, R. & Kerbo, H. R. (2000). Modern Thailand. United Stated: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Joel, K. (1998). Southeast Asian identities : culture and the politics of representation in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. Blandin, H. (2003). A golden souvenir of the culture, tradition, and belief of Thailand, Bangkok: Asia Books. Barme, S. (2002). Woman, man, Bangkok : love, sex, and popular culture in Thailand. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield.