THAILAND or SIAM?

The Buddhism Country

Thailand is also known as the coutry of Buddhism with so many temples and 90% of Thais practice Buddhism and around 5% practice Islam which mostly in Southern Thailand. The 3% practice Christianity (mainly Catholic) and the last 2% practice others. 

Before we practicing Buddhism, the Thais had believed in so many believes following the development of the human nation and the rise and fall of the power on this part of the world. We were once gave the credits to all spirits to explained whatever we couldn't understand but later on all Gods in Hinduism got those credits from the influence of Indian people through the trading and once we found out the Buddhism is more practicle to our way of lives the Buddha finally become in charge.

We have the evidence proofs the Buddhism had come to this part of the world for over a thousand years from the discovery of many stone statues related to the Buddha and the Buddhism dated to the 6-8th century. We didn't have Siam at that time but it was the ancient kingdom called 'Dvaravati' and the center of the power was located in the middle part of Thailand -- Nakorn Pathom Province.

The Thai Culture

There are three core values that serve as the foundation of Thai culture: seniority, gratitude, and respect. These values are deeply reflected in the way Thai people practice their beliefs, especially Buddhism, which incorporates a mixture of traditions and philosophies throughout history. In Thai society, we prioritize the needs of the elderly or individuals in higher positions, showing gratitude for those who show kindness and care, and always respecting others in return.

Greeting

"Sa-wad-dee ka" is the traditional way to say hello in Thai, and we believe you may have already tried practicing it before visiting our country. However, there’s a bit more to know. The sound at the end of the sentence that makes it more polite—similar to how we add "sir" or "ma'am" in English—also distinguishes the gender of the speaker, not the listener. "Ka" is used by women, while "krub" is used by men.

In addition to the greeting, we often accompany it with the gesture of the "Wai", where two hands are placed together at chest level and the head is gently bowed. This is a way to show respect, particularly when greeting the elderly or strangers (who are assumed to be older or in higher positions).

The word "Sa-wad-dee", which means "well-being," was introduced by a professor teaching Thai at the university in 1934. It soon became a popular greeting used to wish others well and has remained a staple of Thai culture ever since.

Food culture

With so many famous Thai dishes, it’s clear that Thai people have a strong culinary culture. We eat throughout the day, with three main meals: breakfast, snack/drinks, lunch, drinks, dinner, and of course, some dessert before bedtime. Naturally, we are always thinking about our next meal while we’re enjoying the current one. Before we greet someone with "Sa-wad-dee," it’s common for us to ask, "How have you been? Have you eaten yet?" See? Food is a big part of our daily life.

Thai people are very particular about their food. If you check a local food stall or restaurant, you’ll notice a condiment set on the table for customers to customize the flavor of their dishes. Not only that, we also add ingredients to soups for flavor or aroma, even though we may not eat them, and we have a wide variety of dipping sauces and pastes to accompany almost every dish.

In Thailand, we usually don’t cook for small families of 1-2 people, as it tends to be more expensive than eating out or ordering takeout. However, cooking for larger families (around 4-5 people) is more economical. Additionally, different regions of the country have their own unique food cultures, with variations in ingredients and cooking styles.

Shopping Culture

Thailand is a country full of shops and shopping centers, and negotiation is a normal part of the shopping experience here. We love getting "cheaper" items, so it’s common for us to ask for discounts whenever we can. In fact, we’re often happy with just a 5 THB discount. Among local Thai friends, it’s not about competing with expensive brands, but rather who managed to get the best deal.

So, feel free to bargain at the markets for fun, but keep in mind that we don’t typically negotiate on items with a fixed price, such as those marked with XX THB or 1XX THB, or when you’re looking to buy more than one item.

People

Thai people are widely known for their warmth, hospitality, and easygoing nature. We have a deep respect for family, tradition, and culture, which is reflected in our friendly and welcoming attitudes toward visitors. With an emphasis on politeness and smiles, Thai people are always ready to make others feel comfortable and at home. We are incredibly cheerful, enjoying life with a positive outlook and a love for laughter, good food, and lively conversations. Whether it’s chatting over a plate of pad Thai or sharing a moment of quiet reflection at a temple, the Thai spirit is all about kindness, community, and making everyone feel like a friend.

Well, now you get to know a bit of us already but for the rest... please come experiencing by yourself. Whether you're traveling alone or as a group we can help you to make everything smooth and make everything worth your time! 

You can check out our TOUR PROGRAMS on the homepage for the one suits your vibe the most. Feel free to contact us on all channel and we will get back to you as soon as possible! 

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