What is? ‘Thainess’

• Corruption… • Education…. • Globalisation… • Government… • Happiness… • a Human Being… • Love… • the Media… • a Monk… • Responsibility… • Social Values… • a ‘Soi-Dog’… • Spirituality… • ‘Thainess’… • World Peace… • World Peace (II)… • Where would you choose to live?… • Would you die for love?… •

‘JJ’ Jeremy Johanson

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.””

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.”

Philip Cornwell-Smith

Author

“Thainess is all about relationships. Hierarchies and friendships will trump the economics or rules of the situation. It all comes from a different logic based on a sense of loyalty and kinship rather than on abstract principles, leaving people from other cultures startled by Thai choices and behaviours. Relationships are also those to beings others than those physically present on this earth. There are all kinds of offerings and gifts, catering to the specific tastes of the spirit. It’s in the same territory as a welcome drink at a hotel in that it’s showing a sense of courtesy, making sure that the spirit is comfortable and has the things that it wants and needs to be happy. Play is also a fundamental Thai value that continues all the way through life and is not viewed as being a childish thing. Just look at the amount of terms that use the word ‘len’ (play), like ‘deun len’ (walk play) which means going around just wandering and looking at things. So a general sense of happiness with the world comes across. There aren’t too many people wandering around England or America who feel a sense of play. Another area that this is seen in is that of spas. Globally, Thailand has done very well at it because some of the qualities that are demanded by the spa industry are found here; personal relationships, consideration, general gentleness and a sense of balance. But, Thailand needs to look very carefully at some of its traditions that are disappearing, and recognize their values and applicable qualities.”