Attitudes towards Women and Thai Culture

Attitudes towards Women:

The U.N. has noted that Thailand ranks 40th among 130 countries on the Gender-related Development Index, putting it into the “progressive” category. It progressed more on gender-related issues than any other country in the world between 1975 and 1995. The 1997 constitution states that men and women hold equal rights, and they seem to do so in society at large. One of the first things I noticed in Thailand was that women run their own businesses, they drive their own motor scooters, they can openly date a boyfriend, and they easily talk to and mix with men. It certainly was a big change from the ten months that we had spent in India and the Middle East.

In rural areas, it is the women who typically inherit the land, and they tend to control the family finances throughout the country. They constitute 55% of enrollment in secondary and tertiary schools and 45% of Thailand’s workforce, thus outranking the United States in both categories.

Culturally, socially, and spiritually, however, it is a bit different. Thailand is a patriarchal society at heart, and as a Thai saying goes, men represent the front legs of the elephant, while women represent the hind legs. Men have more legal rights. For example, they may divorce their wives for committing adultery, but not vice versa. Men are not only considered socially superior, but also spiritually superior. They have more merit than women and have a higher chance of reaching nirvana than women.

Thai Culture:
As for traditional culture, young Thais are obliged to pay respect to their elders and to listen carefully to their parents, teachers, monks, and other elders. This is a very important aspect of Thai culture, and can be seen everywhere, from the ‘wai’ (prayer-like greetings offered to equals or seniors) to the teacher ceremonies in which students offer gifts on bended knee to their teachers. Juniors are supposed to follow lines of rank in deferring to their seniors. This is defined by age, wealth, status, and personal or political power. The simplest ones are adults (vs. children), bosses, elder classmates, elder siblings, teachers, military, and Thai (vs. non-Thai). Juniors show respect and obedience, but their seniors should in turn care for or sponsor the juniors with whom they have frequent contact. Because a lot is determined by age, Thais always seem to be asking how old other people are. That was certainly our experience, anyway!

The three most important things to respect in Thailand are the country, the king, and the religion. While one may criticize the Thai government or culture openly, it is considered a serious insult to insult the nation or the monarchy or to not stand when you hear the national or royal anthems. Radio and TV stations all broadcast the national anthem daily at 8 AM and at 6 PM, and one is supposed to stop whatever one is doing at the time and stand at attention. In Bangkok, this was played over public loudspeakers in the street so loudly that it would wake us up in the morning!

Thais believe that the feet are the lowest part of the body and the head is the highest. Thus, one should never touch the head of another person, not even of a child. And if money blows away in the wind, you should attempt to retrieve it with your hands, and under no cost step on it with your foot – it’s considered the worst insult, steeping on an image of the king!

It is also very important to save face, as in most Asian societies. Thais avoid confrontation and embarrassing situations.

Thailand is located at the meeting point of the two great cultural systems of Asia – India and China. Chinese culture has mixed very well with Thai culture in everyday life, while Indian culture has influenced Thai court culture, which is based mainly on Brahmanism and Buddhism. Drama and dance are indivisible in Thailand, and although the dancing techniques are of Indian origin, the Thais evolved them to be more graceful.

Classical Thai painting is confined to mural paintings inside of Buddhist temples and palaces. The themes depicted relate to Buddhism, such as the Buddha’s life stories, stories of the three worlds (earth, heaven, and hell), and also those concerning customs and traditions. They serve to promote Buddhism, to beautify the places of worship, and to educate people. Sculptures concentrate on Buddha images, which are considered some of the world’s greatest expressions of Buddhist art. It is widely believed that the Buddha images in Thailand are so numerous that they largely outnumber the population itself.

Classical Thai architecture can be found in royal buildings and monastic monuments, such as temples and pagodas, which have long been the center of community activities. The village temple is the place where people attend rites and ceremonies, worship, observe feasts and festivals, and where young men are sometimes still educated.

There are two things especially that typify Thai temple architecture: the fire and the lotus. The fire represents human passion and the lotus represents the cooling effect of Buddhism. The lotus is seen throughout Buddhist architecture, and the shape of the flame is seen on the rooftops of temples and royal buildings in golden form. Even the Buddha is often represented with a flame atop his head, representing both the burning out of the passions and enlightenment.