Life in Thailand may seem to be perfect. There are wonderful temples to visit, friendly locals to talk to, good food, and amazing beaches for relaxation. But as travelers become used to the culture and traditions of their country, they realize that there is something missing in their Thai experience. A closer look at the reasons why this may be happening will help travelers discover a better way to travel, visit, and live in their own country.
The biggest difference between
life in Thailand and life abroad is the emphasis on tradition. Although it's
true that Thailand is often referred to as "the land of the smile," this
is often an initial gesture to newcomers but may not be as deep as it seems.
Buddhism doesn't just mean taking
time out of your busy schedule to meditate and pray. Monks serve a number of
important roles. They take on a number of different roles, from teachers of the
Buddhist faith to counselors to spiritual advisers. As monks, most are free to
study and practice their beliefs and customs.
But there are strict rules and
regulations governing what monks can do and can't do. Buddhism is non-mandated
or enforced, but religion is never forced or imposed on anyone. Monks are
everywhere and they play a large part of Thailand's social structure.
Because of the close relationship
between Buddhism and the Thai people, the government places tremendous
importance on the education of children, both within Thailand and abroad.
Children grow up hearing stories about how Buddha gave up his body in order to
save the world.
And because of this teaching,
most Thai children have a strong sense of self worth and respect. Because of
this, the parents of these children strive to instill in them these values, and
the result is a culture that encourages kindness and compassion in all its
manifestations.
In Thailand, there are three main
religious denominations: Buddhism, Catholicism, and Islam. Buddhists believe in
the One True God, but Catholics believe in the Virgin Mary and the Holy Spirit.
Muslims follow the teachings of the Koran and follow the teachings of Muhammad.
People may also follow other religions, such as Confucianism and Taoism.
While life in Thailand is
relatively easy and you can generally live each day in shorts, flip flops and a tshirt - there are many restrictions on
religious practices and people can choose to follow any religion they wish.
Even those who follow no religion are usually free to practice their own
customs.
Another difference between life
in Thailand and abroad is the presence of a number of foreigners
in the country. It's estimated that at least half of the population is foreign
born, and the number is growing. Many Thai expats and tourists come to the
country to work and settle down.
Some may have considered
traveling to the country an ideal way to escape from a stressful life and enjoy
an exotic lifestyle, which is not always the case in Thailand. However, living
in a country where everyone dresses alike and follows a very specific way of
life can make people feel out of place.
With so many differences between
life in Thailand and abroad, it's easy to find that the two cultures don't mesh
well. If you are thinking of going to Thailand for a vacation, it may be a good
idea to put aside your expectations and try to understand these differences
before jumping into the deep end.
In Thailand, children are taught
to respect elders. While children in other countries are treated with kindness
and respect by their elders, this isn't necessarily the case in Thailand.
Because of this, younger Thai children who respect their elders are more likely
to respect their elders when they grow older, even if their elders were born
with money or are famous.
Life in Thailand is generally
less demanding than life in other parts of the world, although there is a lot
of work involved. The country offers a variety of jobs, including housewives,
farmers, and traders. The job of a fisherman means wages are low and the work
is physically demanding.
Life in Thailand doesn't have to
be hard or boring. The best part is that the whole culture and people of the
country are very accepting of other cultures, making it possible for you to
enjoy your life in Thailand while still maintaining your own culture as well.
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