Thailand, an Exciting Country of Asia

Thailand is an exciting country not only because of its culture, but also because of its religion, customs, marriage, and funerals. The culture of Thailand has been influencing by other countries and immigrants from India, China and Cambodia. Thailand religion is mostly Buddhism, but it has minorities of Christians, Muslims and other Thai religions. Thai Buddhism is known as Theravada Buddhist. Thai people applied their religion in cosmology and astrology. They believe in spirits, so they own miniature houses in their own house or public places where the spirits can live. They also have to offer food and drinks to these spirits to make them happy. If the spirits are not happy, they can live the house and create chaos. Most of the Thai customs has been modified through the last years, but there are some of them that are still in the top of their values. One of the most common customs is the one used to show greeting or farewell; people made a “wai” and move a little their head with a smile. Another significantly custom is the minimum or uncommon demonstration of affection in public. For example, friends can hold their hands; instead a couple of lovers cannot do it. Thai people also believe that foot are the dirtiest part of the body and the head is the most respectful part of the body, that explain why it is rude to point any person or religion symbol with the foot, or move the foot above of some else’s head, especially if the other person is a monk or has a higher social status.  Thai people believe that is life should be fun, so they avoid conflict, anger and any kind of disagreements. Visitors have to help to keep harmony and avoid making a Thai person to lose his/her face. Any disgust should be handled smiling and talking without blaming another person. Thai people strongly believe in respect for the elderly people, parents, teachers and their ancestor. The monks have prohibited any contact with women, and women have to help them to avoid any incidental contact. Women can make offerings but they have to put them in the monk foot. The monk could give a blessing to women with a stick, but they can no touch women in any way. They have two different kind of marriage, between Buddhist and between Muslims. Between Buddhists, they have two ceremonies, the first one it is in a temple; they recite prayers, offer food, gift and cash to the monks. After all this ceremony, the principal monk gives blessing and offering advice to the couple. The second one it is the traditional with the families. Between Muslims, they offer a ceremony in two rooms, one for women and one for men. Both kind of marriage (Buddhism and Muslims) shared something call “dowry”, it means that the groom has to give the bride’s family certain amount of money to compensate them and demonstrate his financial status for his future wife. Funerals take a week, and the corpse is usually cremated after the monk’s ceremony is given to avoid the dead come back as a bad spirit.  Thai culture is very interesting in the way they assume their religion and all their customs about funerals and relationships.

Reference
Culture of Thailand. (2012, June 21). Retrieved from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Thailand