Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Lifestyle
The ordinary life of southern Thais can be divided into two categories: country and city.
Those in rural coastal areas are typically employed in rubber farming or fishing, though
rice and livestock farming are also evident. Rubber farmers live in small, typically inland
settlements identified by straight rows of trees and pale sheets of drying latex; many is-
lands on the Andaman coast are dotted with these shady rubber forests. Traditional
Muslim villages are built directly over the water in a series of connected stilt houses. Be-
cause the Andaman Sea had a history of tranquil behaviour, there was no fear of the
ocean's wrath, a preconception painfully destroyed by the 2004 tsunami.
Within the cities, life looks a lot like the rest of the country (busy and modern), but the
presence of Chinese and Indian merchants marks the uniqueness of southern Thai cities.
The commercial centres are also the market towns, where the brightly coloured fishing
boats ease into the harbour, unloading the catch and filling the marina with the aroma of
fish.
SAVING FACE
Thais believe strongly in the concept of saving face, ie avoiding confrontation and endeavouring not to embarrass
themselves or other people (except when it's
sà·nùk
- or 'fun' - to do so). The ideal face-saver doesn't bring up
negative topics in conversation, doesn't express firm convictions or opinions, and doesn't claim to have an expert-
ise. Agreement and harmony are considered to be the most important social graces.
While Westerners might find a heated discussion to be good sport, Thais avoid such confrontations and regard
any instance where voices are raised as rude and potentially volatile. Losing your temper causes a loss of face for
everyone present, and Thais who have been crossed often react in extreme ways.
Minor embarrassments, such as tripping or falling, might elicit giggles from a crowd of Thais. In this case they
aren't taking delight in your mishap, but helping you save face by laughing it off.
Family Values
The importance of the family unit in Thai society is immediately apparent to a visitor in
the many family-owned and -operated businesses. It is still common to see three genera-
tions employed in a family-run guesthouse, or sharing the same house. The elderly are in-
volved in day-to-day life, selling sweets to neighbourhood kids or renting motorcycles to
tourists, for example. Although tourism has significantly altered the islanders' traditional
way of life, these jobs help to keep many ambitious children from seeking employment on
the mainland.
