Thai culture is extremely complex and even the most conscientious and diligent foreigners who have lived in-country for a long time and have made an effort to understand as much as they can will inadvertently make cultural mistakes, yet Thai people are generally very tolerant of foreigners. Foreigners continually make cultural mistakes in Thailand, yet the Thais will more often than not waive these cultural errors, choosing to overlook them and continue to smile and be happy. This happy go lucky attitude and the level of tolerance in Thailand makes it a very easy and pleasant place to live. To a certain extent, Thailand has isolated itself culturally, distinguishing the country from so many others, though the Thais understand that they need to be tolerant of those who do not understand Mother Thailand's ways.
I often feel that I discover something new every day about Thai culture but while I am learning more, it can at time feel like it all just seems to become more and more confusing! But have no fear for so long as you are polite and make an effort - as you should in any new country that you visit, you needn't be aware of all of the complexities and peculiarities of this unique and rich culture. A colleague once described the situation as being similar to peeling an onion. You peel away at the onion and feel that you are getting closer and closer to the centre. But really, you are not making a lot of progress and there are literally 100's of layers to go until you reach the centre. You may live and work in Thailand for a long time but unless you move to Thailand from a very young age, you will never reach the centre of the onion.
There is a very distinct class system within Thailand. Business and the distribution of income in Thai society is largely dominated by the wealthy - the predominantly Bangkok based Thais, many of whom are ethnically Chinese. The Chinese Thais, as they are often referred to, can be recognised by their fairer skin and more Chinese look. At the other end of the spectrum are the villagers and farmers from the countryside, the rural Thais, who are easily recognisable by their darker skin and generally smaller, often stockier stature.