In the ‘land of smiles’ are the smiles genuine or a ‘social cosmetic’ as suggested by some authors? Or is the truth (as usual) somewhere in the middle?
Can ‘Thai-ness’ be identified?
Negatively through difference from other nations
Positively through Thai norms
Can any nation’s ‘identity’ really be clearly defined?
What are Thai ‘norms’?
What is their relative importance in daily social interactions?
How do the different types of norm interact?