Thailandđź•Ł
Country in Southeast Asia. Official name – the Kingdom of Thailand. Population - 70.1 million (as of 2020). Capital – Bangkok. Official language – Thai. Government type – constitutional monarchy. Main religion – Buddhism.
Thailand
Greeting
When meeting with representatives of foreign companies and organizations, Thai entrepreneurs and officials usually greet with a handshake. However, this is not the traditional form of greeting in Thailand.
The traditional Thai greeting is the wai. When two people of equal social or professional status meet, they greet each other by placing their palms together at chest level—fingers pointing upward, thumbs touching the chest. A slight bow accompanies this gesture.
If there is a difference in status between the individuals, the wai greeting changes slightly: the person of lower status raises their pressed palms higher so that the fingertips touch the lips. An even higher wai is used to greet a highly respected, distinguished, or older person—here, the thumbs are pressed to the tip of the nose. In all versions of the wai, the elbows should remain close to the body.
Regardless of the greeting ritual, it is always accompanied by the verbal "Sawatdee!" (Hello! Hi!). When addressing a woman, the polite particle "kha" is added, making the greeting "Sawatdee kha." For men, the particle "khrap" is used, resulting in "Sawatdee khrap." This phrase is also used for saying goodbye.
If a woman is present at a meeting, a man should wait for her to initiate the handshake.
During events involving people of different genders, ages, or social and professional statuses, it is customary to introduce the man to the woman, and the younger person to the older one.
Introduction
Surnames did not always exist in Thailand—they were only introduced in the 1920s. This was formalized by a legislative act, after which the king "granted" surnames to the most influential Thai families. According to the law, every Thai citizen must have a first name and a surname (without middle names, patronymics, or any additional name elemen...
Exchange of Business Cards
Exchanging business cards is quite common—not only during meetings and negotiations, but also at various social, economic, and political events. You should always carry an ample supply of business cards with you.
It is advisable to have one side of your business card in Thai. Ideally, the translation should be done by a local professional to ensure accuracy and approp...
Small Talk: Overview
In Thai business culture, building and maintaining good relationships is super important—especially when dealing with international partners. That’s why it’s a good idea to put some extra effort into small talk with Thai colleagues.
When you’re chatting with a Thai partner, try to keep the conversation calm, friendly, and informal. Avoid being too blunt or direct, since that could make ...
Preferred Topics
Classic questions like “How was your flight?”, “What’s the weather like this time of year?”, or “Which hotel are you staying at?” are good for starting a conversation.
A good way to keep the conversation going is to talk about the space you’re in—like your Thai colleague’s office—or comment on things around you, like photos or artwork on the w...
Taboo Topics
It’s best to avoid talking about politics, especially any internal conflicts from the past decade.
Don’t bring up the situation with separatists in southern Thailand, and don’t share any opinions or judgments about it.
Never make any critical remarks about the Thai royal family, especially the King, Queen, or their children. Thai people deeply r...
Personal Space
When talking, people in Thailand—men and women alike—usually stand about an arm’s length apart.
In general, physical contact isn’t really welcomed, apart from a handshake. That means no hugging, cheek-kissing, or friendly pats on the back or arm—those can feel too personal or inappropriate.
Thais also avoid too much gesturing or speaking loudly....
Communication Specifics
Thai society is considered high-context, meaning not everything is said out loud. A lot of information is understood from the situation itself or shared cultural understanding.
Nonverbal cues often carry more meaning than spoken words. Thais believe that words can sometimes distort or hide the true message, sometimes even on purpose, whereas body langua...
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