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. The soldiers
Is the first Western culture that people derive from Thailand, Ayutthaya. By buying used firearms a fortress built by the West as Fort Wichaiprasit the river. Designed by French engineer in the period of employment with the British Government undertook to provide consulting services to the military. There is Cadet Western military exercise
2. The Education Partner
In the reign of the three is the number one elite and aristocratic as his younger brother has studied English and western science. In the reign of the four had hired foreign teachers to teach English and knowledge in western courts. In the rush at five schools have set a new plan. The Ministry of Justice set up a new study. He sent his son to study in Thailand and students such as medical school. Law School In the reign of the sixth law of compulsory education and the University.
3. Science
As Knowledge of astronomy Mongkut sent astronomical knowledge to be able to calculate eclipses, accurately. Modern medical knowledge Which began in the third stream, during the reign of King Rama 5 has set up a hospital. Doctors and nurses training school Western medical knowledge, this is the basic medical and public health in Thailand.
4. The lifestyle
Of western culture and artifacts are used to make lifestyle changes, such as the Thailand traditional meals using utensils instead of hands. The chair instead of sitting floor. The costume designer from West or West. The palace buildings Western-style dwellings As well as leading sports such as football, golf, visitors to western publishers and so on.
5.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.
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.