Culture of Thailand

Thailand Culture — With almost 95 per cent of Thai’s being adherents of Theravada Buddhism it should come as little surprise to anyone that the country’s culture is heavily influenced by Buddhism.This is particularly true when it comes to Thai visual art, which traditionally is rich with images of Buddhism. Everywhere you go in Thailand Buddha images from different periods and of distinctive styles can be found.Contemporary Thai art often combines traditional Thai elements with more modern techniques.Having an understanding of Thai culture will greatly enhance your visit to Thailand.Hand-in-hand with Thai culture are customs unique to Thailand that every visitor should be aware of and practice respectfully while in the kingdom.One of the most distinctive Thai customs is the wai, which is used for greeting, farewell,or acknowledgment. The wai comes in several forms reflecting the relative status of those involved and consists of a prayer-like gesture with the hands, and a bow of the head.Buddhist teachings have had a large effect on the culture and attitude of people in Thailand. There are stunning Buddhist temples which are very interesting to visit. Thai culture is also affected by the different ethnic groups living in Thailand, such as the different hill tribes from China, Tibet, Laos and Myanmar, and the sea gypsies in the south. Thailand is very interesting historically and has some very impressive ancient monuments.