Download the thailand elephant experience

Greetings:
Sawad Dee Kha (Woman)
Sawad Dee Krub (Men)
(gesture = WAI)
Nong Inpanbutr (In –Pan- Buit)
(Bhali and Sansakrit root)
*
[email protected]
 Thank
you for your mission… for
helping Thailand
 Khob
Khun Kha = Thank you!
Points to cover from Susie

Minding our Manners
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Greeting and meeting people
Sharing meals
Important courtesies we may not know or understand
Appropriate dress in Na Toey, Bangkok, Chaing Mai
Roles of women & men & family
How Buddhism impacts Thai culture
Politics, the Emperor and the people
THAILAND, LAND OF THE FREE
[In Thai = PRATHET THAI]
Thailand is one of the few countries
in the World that was never colonized by
a western country or even an Asian
power.
• It is a kingdom with a long tradition of
benevolent kings.
• 2006 is 60th anniversary of the enthronement of
one of the most popular and well respected kings
we ever had, Bhumibol Adulyadej.
•He is the 49th king in the
700-years long history of Thailand.
Yellow is the color to show your loyalty/support to the king!
Related to the Tsunami, loss of the princess’s son in Phuket
In the old time…The people… kind and gentle…., with rich culture
 Westernized
tourist cities
in Bangkok, and other
– Building
– Food
– How people dress
– Etc…
Besides ethnic Thai, the 62
million that inhabit Thailand
includes strong communities
of Chinese, Malay, Indians
and other ethnic groups from
Asia.


Over 95% of the people are
devout Buddhists
 Thai
elephant was selected as the
national animal because it has
maintained close link with Thai
history and custom, it has a long life,
and it is closely related to the
livelihood of Thai people (in the
past).
Cultural Influences

Religion
– 95% Buddhist
 Do

not believe in euthanasia
Government
– Elephants & Politics: The National Animal
– “They are symbols of the king's divine right
to rule, of good luck, even religious icons”
– Only 1 private elephant camp in Thailand
– Poor country
 Ratchaphruek
or Golden shower is
widely known to Thais because it can
be seen anywhere throughout the
country. It bears beautiful clustershaped flowers in summer. The color
of flowers is shining yellow, and
yellow is the color of our national
religion ‘Buddhism'.

Sala Thai architecture can be seen
throughout the public buildings of
Thailand. It is a reflection of out culture.
It is different from architectures of other
countries, and that is one way visitors can
tell they are in Thailand by looking at the
‘Thai-ness of the Sala Thai buildings.
Governance

Monarchy

Democratic, Parliament

Election

Military

Coup/every 4 years since 1976..
Thai culture
 Strong
family tie
 Respect the elderly, seniority and Women
 Very
polite and considerate people
 (too much… not direct when you ask
them something…)
Roles of women & men & family
 Equal
 More
between women and men
than 30% of women elected to
government office
Culture
 The
body---The Head.. You cannot
touch the had of the elderly
 The
younger people have to show
respect to the elders by WAI
– When you greet
– When you thank
FOOD
Lots of Rice!
 Amazing fresh fruit
 Many vegetarian dishes
 Best only to eat cooked vegetables and no
sushi, wash/peel all fruit
 Try something new!

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Squid on a stick
Galangal
Banana roti
Mango sticky rice
Insects
Fruit!
Food/ my practice
 Drink
bottled water/Thai beer (Singha)
 Cooked vegetable
 Fresh vegetable (only if you know the
place well, good hotel…, but I have
always been very careful)
 Sea food/cooked
INTERNATIONAL STUDIES: THE
THAILAND ELEPHANT EXPERIENCE




Einav Elitsur (VME II)
Simona Rikh (VME II)
Lauren Murphy (VME II)
Organized by Dr. N Inpanbutr in
collaboration with Chiangmai
University CVM, Thailand
Hill tribe people (Karieng)
= Karen People
TRANSPORTATION

BANGKOK  CHIANG MAI
PLANE OR NIGHT TRAIN

AROUND CHIANG MAI
– Red cabs- cheapest and most convenient
– Tuk-tuk- more expensive, not as accommodating
– Motor Bike- not safe unless you know how to ride
one,
but great for convenience
– Kind motorist!!- just don’t tell your mom! Smokin Ride!
Hope I don’t get that wind
blown hair!
Transportation:
By plane:
• Very convenient and reasonable
• Around 1 hr. to Chiang Mai,
• Every hour 96:00 AM-10:00 PM)
By train
By bus (not recommend)
Driving on the left side
DRESS (according to my students)
 At
work: long pants, tennis shoes,
scrub top
 In temples: no pants,
long skirt, shoulders
must be covered
 Around town: cool,
comfortable clothing,
no shorts, no spaghetti
strap shirts
LANGUAGE
 National
language is Thai
 Many educated people know English
 Taxi drivers do not
 Learn simple phrases, numbers,
types of food
Psss…. This is actually a police station!
Common terms
 Wat
= Temple
 Gin
Kow = have a meal
 gin
= eat
 Kow
= rice
 Thank
you for your mission….
 …For helping Thailand
 Khob Khun Kha = Thank you!
 Let
me know if I can be of any help.
 And
good luck to all!