Culture Ministry to teach politeness to tourists
Bangkok Post
"(TNA) - 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."
I was amazed this week to see a half page advert in The Bangkok Post for a non Thai Bank I think. The picture was of a massive stone foot - it could not have been anyone but Buddha and a westerner was standing on the statue.
Today on Throntree a western youth was surprised at his Thai girlfriends anger - I kill you - when he pushed her underwater in a pool with his foot on her head.
Gentle tolerent Theravada Traditions?
On the other side, how about teaching Thais not to cut in lines at the 7-11 and else where; providing a check bin in English; giving the correct change and cut the shit about not having change. How about deceptive double pricing and farang price gouging?
Twice today someone cut in front of me. I was at a store and got a phone call and was distracted for an instant leaving just enough space between me and the person in front for the lady behind me cut in front of me. Then at a private postal service I was at the counter, there was no clear line, I was waiting for a long time and then someone who came in long after me just made a side approach to the counter and shoved his package on the desk.
Yesterday it happen twice in Pattaya. I was at the bus station getting a ticket back to Bangkok and I had my bag on the ground in front of me. The line moved and I bent over to get the bag and move forward when this older Thai guy takes advantage and cuts in front of me. Then in the small store at the bus station, again I am limited in movement by luggage, I get a side counter approach by a Thai lady.
are you from the UK TrongpaiExpat?
I found in my years living there the Brits take their queuing seriously..which is the only way it would work of course. Break ranks on a bus line and you were likely to receive a stern look.
The airlines should really push this book and explain to tourists they should take it seriously. I reckon farangs can be pretty insensitive in Asian countries. Fortunately the gay community seems better behaved than the heteros.
Re: Gentle tolerent Theravada Traditions?
Quote:
Originally Posted by TrongpaiExpat
On the other side, how about teaching Thais not to cut in lines at the 7-11 and else where; providing a check bin in English; giving the correct change and cut the shit about not having change. How about deceptive double pricing and farang price gouging?
In other words, you want to impose your culture's views of what's right and what's wrong on the Thais.