ThaiWais

‘JJ’ Jeremy Johanson

เป็นภูมิปัญญาไทยในทุกไหว

On the surface Thai culture may seem like any other, abounding in charming age-old customs. But, as with many things Thai, appearance is simply the ‘tip of the iceberg’. When examined closely, the ‘Thai way of life’ is based on the objective observation of human nature, taking into consideration the law of  ‘cause and effect’.

Our individual day-to-day decisions, actions and lifestyle choices are key to building a peaceful society, with everyone living harmoniously side-by-side. It’s these Thai social  conventions put into place centuries ago that, over time, have created the ‘Land of Smiles’.

‘Thainess’ is a magical element composed of many ingredients: Loving-kindness (Metta), Respect, Courtesy, Caring, Consideration (Kreng-jai), Well-being (Sabai-jai), Fun (Sanook), Patience, Calm (Jai-yen), Heart, Happiness, Understanding, Tolerance, Balance, Non-judgmental awareness, Compassion, Compassionate healing, Sympathy, Altruism, Selflessness, Generosity, Unity… ‘THAI WAIS’ (Wise) = “There is wisdom in every Thai Wai! “

In true Thai spirit, we welcome everyone to share their definitions, comments, stories, photos or videos that represent the true spirit of Thainess at:

www.facebook.com/ThaiWais

.

“Thainess is…”

	Korn Chatikavanij Member of Parliament “Being Thai is a lot more than just rallying around a flag. There is no English equivalent to the Thai word ‘jai’. The closest you can come is ‘heart’, but that’s not it. The Thai language and way of life has more to do with the soul than the surface, which makes it very hard to define. Take for instance the simple gesture of a Thai ‘wai’. Unless you have doing it since you are young, it can seem awkward and not look Thai. At the root of this are important elements like courtesy and respect. Thais don’t like confrontation, nor to stand out and be counted. This makes our culture more tolerant because people are more willing to roll with the punches. It also has a lot to do with Buddhism. Thais are not an ideological people, and most of the world’s problems have been caused by ideology. We talk more about way of life and have a general feel of what we need to do to get along. Since we don’t confront, we try to find ways to compromise. This is a key word in Thai society and it infuriates ideological youth. Without a doubt, copying the ways of the West will inherently destroy the Thai way of life. But, politicians don’t spend time thinking about happiness as much as they do about development and economic growth. This is a shame. Do people really want to create an ‘American way of life’ here in Thailand? 90% of Thais would say no. So we really need to define Thainess, know if it’s important to people, and try to retain it while improving the quality of people’s lives through economic development. As Anand Panyarahchun said 15 years ago, “There is no Thai or Farang way. There is only the right or wrong way.”
	Earth Saiswang President of Hotel PR Association – Thailand “Thainess is a multi-faceted concept that can not be reduced to a simple definition. My closest explanation would be to say that: 1.Thainess springs from a common collective shared identity based on fundamental elements; Thai language and Buddhism 2. This concept provides the foundation for social harmony with respect for each other, in a hierarchical society where people display cool heads, warm hearts and gratitude. 3. Thainess is the ‘little something’ that makes Thai people who they are… While the first two elements are easier to grasp, the last one is something that can never be truly explained or understood without actually living and experiencing it. While you can ‘learn’ Thai language, you cannot learn Thainess. It is instinctive… you have to ‘feel’ it. WELCOME TO THAILAND… and experience ‘THAINESS’ !!! ประเทศไทย? ทำไมถึงต้องเป็นประเทศไทย? คำตอบที่ฉันคิด…. ข้อแรกไม่ต้องขอวีซ่า เข้าประเทศกันได้ง่ายดาย ข้อสองค่า ครองชีพถูก (มาก) เมื่อเทียบ กับแถบยุโรป ข้อสามวัฒนธรรม ศิลปะ ขนบธรรมเนียมต่างๆ อาหารการกิน และข้อสุดท้าย ความมีน้ำใจ ความใจดี รักกันแบบพี่น้อง ไทยแลนด์ หรือ ประเทศไทย แน่นอนเรามีเอกลักษณ์เป็นของตัวเอง ไม่ว่าจะเป็นการไหว้ ความมีน้ำใจ วัฒนธรรม สถาปัตยกรรม ที่โดดเด่น การใช้ชีวิตที่เรียบง่าย นี่แหละ “ไทย” ถ้าคุณมี โอกาสได้เดินไปเที่ยววัดดังๆๆ ในกรุงเทพ คุณจะเจอชาวต่างชาติมอง     เขามองจริงๆ แล้วหยุดนิ่ง เพื่อดูความเป็นสถาปัตยกรรมไทยที่งดงาม แต่คนไทยเองนั้น…กลับมองผ่าน…ไม่คิด ไม่ชื่นชม ในความเป็นไทยเลย”
	William J. Klausner Professor – Institute of Security and Int’l Studies, Chulalongkorn University “A core element of the traditional Thai persona is the ‘cool heart’. One is enjoined to preserve a sense of emotional equilibrium, treading the Buddhist ideal of the Middle Path, avoiding both extremes and overt expressions of socially disruptive emotions as anger, displeasure, annoyance, hatred… Confrontation is to be avoided at all costs as any open and direct conflict makes Thais psychologically uncomfortable. However, Thais are traditionally adept at indirect expressions of antisocial emotions through gossip, anonymous letters, pamphlets, etc… Another crucial element of Thai identity is status consciousness and acceptance of hierarchy by all, whether on the lower or upper rungs of the socio-political ladder, with the Buddhist notion of Karma being interpreted as a justification for continued unaccountable control by those in power and acceptance by the disadvantaged of their exploitation. But at present, there is a burgeoning civil society, which wants to change the rules of the game by substituting equality and individual civil and political rights, for status; and popular participation, the rule of law and good governance, for unaccountable power. Positive Thai aspects include equilibrium, anti-confrontation and emotional detachment. And ‘charms worth preserving’ include ‘krengjai’, the moral imperative to be considerate towards and avoid bothering or offending others, as well as the traditional value of ‘katanyu’, or gratefulness towards one’s parents, teachers, and others who have protected or supported you. Also, the value of not hurting or impinging on the well-being of others, as well as the Four Sublime States of Consciousness; compassion, loving kindness, sympathetic joy and equilibrium. And we cannot forget the Thai smile and the love of ‘sanuk’ (fun). These attributes will assure that a more individualistic and egalitarian society that emerges is still one where respect, graciousness, gentility and civility prevails.”
	Khunying Chamnongsri Hanchanlash Author, Poet, Social Worker and Chairperson – Rutnin Eye Hospital “The innate respect for others is a part of Thainess. You can see it in gestures, smiles and what you do for others. This contributes to our success in the service industry. We don’t have a strong sense of self-centeredness or egocentricity since throughout our history people have lived together very much as communities creating a notion of extended family. Thainess also includes an innate sense of tolerance that comes naturally from inside. It doesn’t count if it is done consciously. We also don’t make demands and are respectful. This can even be seen through Thai dance movements, and various Thai traditions; the Thai ‘wai’; not touching people’s heads or pointing with your feet. Foreigners are often surprised when Thais ask them their age, because their ego feels that their privacy has been invaded. But Thais ask this question out of a sense of friendliness and inclusion, extending sister and brotherhood. In the old days, when we met people and elders who we hardly knew, they immediately asked if you had already had anything to eat. This shows caring and is still seen today when everyone, even workmen, are offered at the very least a glass of ice water, if not a little something to eat, when entering a home. In the rural areas you even see jugs of water in front of homes with long stemmed ladles, so that people can have a drink. This all shows a sense of inclusion, concern and welcome. But these things are not as present as they used to be. Times change, and there are both positive and negative influences that come with the dynamics of cultural interchange that contribute to today’s fast paced life, the breaking-up of extended families and the new values of materialism.”
	Asita Vimolchaichit Executive Marketing & E-Commerce Director Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square “Loving-kindness, respect, courtesy, kindness, warmth and on the top of that… SMILES, ‘WAI’, “MAI PEN RAI – NEVER MIND”, “KRUB/KHA”, COMPROMISE, OUR ROYAL FAMILY, HIERARCHY… AND OF COURSE we are unique, RED AND YELLOW ha ha ha!!!!”
	Pintuporn Needham “If you ask what’s English about the English, one could say it’s their stiff upper lips, the air of propriety and upbringing, and the psychological comfort every Englishman seems to draw from his cup of tea and traditional Sunday roast and Yorkshire pudding. As for the Americans… what comes to mind when one thinks of the so-called ‘American spirit’ is probably one of generosity, something that comes with the endless refills and all you-can-eat buffets, the spirit of acceptance and tolerance of men and women of all races and religious beliefs, and the courage and patriotism displayed in the face of adversity especially in something like 9/11. So what about Thais? Respect pays a major part in a Thai way of life. Everybody, big and small – wai – a gesture of greeting and showing respect by pressing the palms of both hands together and bowing the head. The protocol that is understood by all is that the younger or the person in the less superior position always wais the elder or the person ‘higher up’. The elder, or person in the more superior position, always reciprocates but never initiates the wai. Respect for age and hierarchy is instilled right from an early age and often remains in every Thai for the rest of their life. Thais have an uncanny ability to resolve problems without confrontation. Concerning ‘war’, either personal or national, Thais often prefer to ‘avoid’, with a solution rarely brought about by confrontation. The word “mai pen rai” has been interpreted by a lot of people. For me, it means something like let it go. There is no need to come to a head if it can be avoided. Problems often end up being solved in non-confrontational ways, or even left unsolved, which in some cases, may be the best way of all, to perpetuity. As a Thai myself, what I love most about Thais is their love of family. Not unlike Latinos, Thai family members love hanging out together. More than their Caucasian counterparts, they go on holidays together, they go the temple to make merit together, and they enjoy eating together in large groups. Just like any other families in the world, Thai family members argue as well. They have rifts. They fight. But maybe it’s the respect for one another, so well-imbued within every Thai since childhood. Or maybe it’s the spirit of mai pen rai. People who are close, those bonded by blood to one another, rather let an argument or disagreement go than to win through a confrontation. Whether it’s within the confined space of a family or as a nation on the whole, this is largely how I feel Thais and Thailand have survived throughout the years.”
	Nareerat Chiumenti Executive Secretary “As a 30-year-old Thai person, my thoughts would be about various definitions related to the Thai way of thinking, acting or expressing ourselves on a daily basis. I would like to focus more on our behaviour and truly support Khun Korn’s definition that Thai people don’t like confrontation, preferring to compromise instead. This is the first idea that came to my thoughts. Positively, this keeps relationships going, and allows things to be handled easier without total disagreement and rejection. Negative parts to this is that compromise can be ‘grey’, not clear in the long term, as sometimes Thai people just accept things first without doubts and without asking questions or speaking up. (We really don’t think through the consequences until problems happen, and then we will just deal with it. Though this could lead a the break-up point later on.) Also, the ‘Thai smile’ can be interpreted in different ways. but it certainly makes matters less intense. The word “Mai Pen Rai” – that’s okay or no worry – reflects Thainess’ forgiveness and ‘to let go’ and live with peace of mind. I believe that Thainess customs blend well with foreign customs, but deep inside without realizing, we all still stick to our ways of living.”
	Vorranunt Songjaroen “ความอิสระ จากพัทธะนาการทั้งปวง เมื่อเรามีอิสระไม่กังวล จิตเราจะเป็นกลาง ไม่ทุกข์ไม่สุข ทำให้เกิดความรัก ความเมตตา ความเข้าใจ ความอดทน จิตที่ดีจะไม่สร้างความแตกร้าวในหมู่เหล่า ไม่มีความอิจฉา ใครได้ดีเราก็ยินดีกับเขาด้วย”
	Peach International Thai Professional “I never lived in Thailand much, nor was I born here. To give an answer about Thainess someone has to have been here all their life, lived and learnt Thai customs. But I haven’t learnt everything a pure Thai person has learnt. Maybe an elderly person might be good to answer this question, but I’m not the right person to really give a good definition of Thainess!  True, I’ve been back living here in Thailand for 13 years now, but I just work and try to survive everyday life!”
	Penwadee Nophaket Manont i n d e p e n d e n t A r t C u r a t o r / C u l t u r a l P r o j e c t M a n a g e r “จุดเด่นหรือเอกลักษณ์ของความเป็นไทย คือ ความอ่อนน้อมถ่อมตน ความเกรงใจ มีสัมมาคารวะ แต่ในขณะเดียวกันสามารถกลายเป็นจุดด้อยได้ เมื่อความเป็น “ไทย” ถูกใช้ผิดที่หรือผิดเวลา ฉะนั้น ไม่ว่าเอกลักษณ์ของความเป็นชาติใดก็ตาม สามารถก่อให้เกิดทั้งประโยชน์และโทษ ขึ้นอยู่กับการนำไปใช้ปฏิบัติจริงในชีวิตประจำวัน ให้ถูกต้องตามกาละและเทศะ”
	Panasporn Nopasri Founder ‘P a M + +’ Consulting Agency “Thai is being able to solve any problem while not having to confront each other”

..

.

.

.

• Home  • 89+ Columns • ‘What Is?’ •

• ThaiWais TV • Why? ThaiWais • About ThaiWais • ’JJ’ •

.

.