How has western culture influenced traditional Thai culture?
There are many reasons why Western culture has an influence on Thai People. When turning back to our history from Ayutthaya period up to the present. We have seen clearly that Thai people began trading with Westerners and from that time they began to accepted Western culture and their lives concerning with the growth of western modern sciences.
The influence of Western culture became even more widespread when many Thai people were sent to study abroad. These foreign graduates certainly brought back with them many new Western ideas to Thailand, which affected the shape of Thai culture during the following periods.
1. Eating Culture
In the old days, Thai people ate with their bare hands, but at this time also Thai people started to use a spoon and fork as a tool for eating food. The reasons behind this campaign were to show civilization and to prevent germs existing on the hand from getting into the body. Nowadays, not only the way of eating, but the choice of food also has changed. Namphrik-plathu, a traditional Thai dish is replaced with salad and soup for some city inhabitants.
2. Language
The Thai vocabulary contains large numbers of words of Western origin. Those words arrived with traders, sailors, missionaries, films and publications. It has become a fashion for Thais to use English words in their conversations despite the availability of Thai equivalents. People believe that this is a way to show modernization and their high level of education. Several words have been adopted and adapted until they sound like Thai words.
3. Dress
In the old days, Thai women should wear their hair long and have their breasts properly covered and Thai men should wear the trousers that call Chong-Kraben but at this time Thai people wear the formal suites. Sometimes, they wear the private suites.
4. Greeting
Thais use "Wai" as a way to greet each other. It is done by placing two palms together in front of the chest. At present, handshake is frequently used, especially in business circles. However, most Thais still "Wai" each other and say "Sawatdi", at the same time. When answering phone calls, "Sawatdi" is supposed to be used, but at present most people say "Hello" instead.
5. Marriage
The Thai-style wedding ceremony is still practiced widely in Thailand. What have changed are the costumes of brides and grooms. Western wedding gowns and suits are very popular in wedding banquets nowadays. However, during the merit making ritual which is held in the day time, the couples prefer traditional Thai costumes which are suitable for the atmosphere.
6. Music
Thailand retains cultural connections with the two great centers of Asian civilizations, India and China. Though Thailand was never colonized by Western powers, pop music and other forms of European and American music have become extremely influential. The two most popular styles of modern Thai music are Mor-lam and Luk-thung, which have important influences from Laos and other neighboring nations.
7. Festival
There are many festivals in England but there aren’t in Thailand. Such as Christmas, Valentine, Halloween, New Year’s, Ester, Thanks giving, and April fool days. In the present, Thai people have been influenced by the Festival of Western people. Through the religion, media, and exchange one to another.
In conclusion
The Western influence and the changing within Thai society were like a two-edged sword. On a good side, the West opened Thailand to the world economy and brought modern knowledge to the Thai people. On the other hand, Western culture destroyed traditional Thai culture such as the family system, local languages, arts and crafts. The last one is the most important that we should quickly find out the ways to solve it.