2. Geographical location

Thailand is located in the middle of the Indochina Peninsula and the northern part of the Malay Peninsula. It borders Cambodia to the east, Myanmar to the west and northwest, Malaysia to the south, the Gulf of Thailand to the southeast, and the Andaman Sea to the southwest. 3. Main Overview

Thailand covers an area of ??513,115 square kilometers. The population is 52.9 million (1986), of which Thais account for more than half, followed by Lao people and Chinese.

Thailand is divided into four regions based on its terrain: North, Northeast, Central and South. *** has 73 prefectures, 596 counties, and districts below the county level. The capital Bangkok. The currency is "Baht". Thai is the national language of Thailand. 4. Social Customs

The general characteristics of Thai people’s social customs can be summarized in the following sentences: Thai people believe in Buddhism, and they emphasize abiding by the teachings; they pay more attention to the head in particular, and touching them will annoy people. ; There are many religious taboos, and civilized behavior is the most important; The nation of "hospitality" has a tradition and is polite in everything; It is especially trustworthy when dating, and the etiquette and etiquette are quite thoughtful. The details of life have the following characteristics:

Thailand is a country that strongly believes in Buddhism. Its etiquette and custom of putting hands together is also closely related to the Buddhist salute of putting hands together. However, Thai etiquette is mainly influenced by Buddhism, but also incorporates etiquette forms from Islam and Chinese Confucianism, making Thailand a world-famous country of etiquette. When they encounter happy and auspicious days such as relocation or funeral, they usually invite relatives, friends and monks to attend. If it is an official party, the number of people invited is an even number, if it is a private party it is an odd number. But speaking from popular habits, most people like to invite 9 people. The reason is that the pronunciation of "9" in Thai is an auspicious sound, and its meaning is "up", "prosperity" and "developed"; some also speak Thai Petal "9" resembles an elephant, and the elephant is a symbol of good luck. There is a unique national custom in Thailand. Men have to become a monk once in their life, which can take as little as three months, as many as three to five years, or even for life. Without local monks, they cannot be regarded as adults, which will not only make people look down on them, but also make it difficult to court a mate. Thai monks are not required to salute anyone (because it is believed that a monk's cassock represents the Buddha). They are used to being on time for appointments and consider it a matter of politeness. They regard the white elephant as a national treasure and a symbol of good luck, and often use it to represent wisdom, strength and loyalty. They love blue and believe that blue symbolizes "stability" and "eternity". "Lotus" is very popular among Thai people. They often use lotus flowers to praise people's integrity. 5. Etiquette and etiquette

Thai people usually give Namaste when meeting guests. Put your hands together on your chest, lower your head slightly, and greet each other "Sawadi" (hello). When returning the gift, you must also put your hands together and place them between your forehead and chest. People of lower status or younger age should take the initiative to offer Namaste to those of higher status and older age. When people of high status and age return the favor, their hands should not be higher than their chest. The higher the hands are raised, the greater the degree of respect. In special circumstances, for example, common people must kneel down and pray when they visit the king; parents whose sons become monks must also kneel down and pray. General Etiquette

It is customary for Thai people to take off their shoes when going home. Don't step on the threshold. According to Thai tradition, there are gods living under the threshold.

Never touch anyone's head, even a small child, as the head is considered the highest part of the human body, both literally and figuratively. If you accidentally bump someone's head, you should immediately and sincerely apologize. Thailand

It is taboo for outsiders to touch the heads of children (especially young monks). Children's heads are only allowed to be touched by kings, monks and their parents. Even barbers cannot touch other people's heads and must say "I'm sorry" before getting a haircut. Similarly, in Thai social gatherings, you will find that young people try to keep themselves in a shorter position than their elders to avoid others feeling that they are "disrespectful" to their elders. Of course, this isn't always possible, but the important thing is that they did their best.

When Thais sleep, their heads should not face west, because sunset in the west symbolizes death. Only after death can the body be parked with its head facing west. When Thais build houses, they are also used to facing north or south. Sit south and face north, not west. In addition, is it recognized to have a beard? Impolite.

Blatant expressions of changing love between men and women will be criticized.

Failure to control your temper, especially in public, will be considered rude and uncultured. Thai businessmen always take a long time to think before making a decision, so be patient when dealing with them. Titles and Greetings

Except in more Western social groups, Thais generally do not shake hands when meeting each other. The most common Thai traditional greeting etiquette is to put your hands together in front of your chest like a prayer mat and bend slightly. Under normal circumstances, young people put their hands together and bow down to salute their elders, and the elders return the salute in the same way.

Thais do not use surnames but first names; don't be surprised if you are called "Mr. Bob" or "Miss Mary".

Appointments and punctuality

It is necessary to make appointments in advance, and it is a sign of courtesy to arrive on time for appointments. Hospitality and Gifts

As a guest, you should show interest in your host's family and home, but don't praise something so much that your host feels compelled to give it to you.

In general, small souvenirs can be given as gifts. Gifts should usually be wrapped in paper. Flowers are also appropriate gifts. Conversation

Should respond to topics related to politics, royalty, and religion. Signaling

Don’t point your feet at anything. Whether standing or sitting, be careful not to place your feet in a conspicuous position or let others see the soles of your feet.

Maternity taboos:

In Thailand, when a baby lands, the midwife can only use a bamboo knife to cut the umbilical cord, not scissors. After the baby is born, the baby's placenta is placed in an earthen pot and buried behind the house after the baby is one month old. Newborn babies must be soaked in cold water several times a day until their face is white and their lips are purple before being picked up. It is said that this can prevent the child from getting sick. Visits from neighbors and friends? When you are pregnant, you cannot talk about heat and cold, sweat rash, illness and death.

Other taboos:

Thais do not use red pen to sign, because after a Thai person dies, he or she must write his or her surname on the coffin with a red pen. It is prohibited to hang clothing, especially pants and socks, in places where people often walk, such as doorways and roofs. In some rural areas, it is taboo to praise other people's children for their beauty. Can't pick water lanterns. Thai people hold the Loy Krathong Festival every December during the full moon of the Thai calendar. This is the most lively festival in Thailand. When watching the water lanterns, be sure to pay attention. No matter how delicate and beautiful the water lanterns are, you must not pick them up, otherwise you will be severely punished.

Please throw your garbage into the trash can. The Bangkok City Administration strictly enforces laws and strives to keep the city clean and hygienic. If someone spits, throws cigarette butts or dumps rubbish in public areas, these people will be fined.

Please do not have anything to do with drugs. Penalties for drug crimes in Thailand are very harsh.

Please do not support any abuse of wild animals. Never buy any products or souvenirs made from wild animals, including snakes, reptiles such as monitor lizards, and turtle shells and elephant tusks. Please do not patronize local restaurants that serve wild animal meals. It is illegal to kill wild animals for consumption in Thailand.

Gambling is prohibited in Bangkok, and you cannot play cards or mahjong even in hotel rooms.

6. Taboos about belief

Most Thai people believe in Buddhism, which is the national religion of Thailand. Thai monks can eat meat, but they are only allowed to eat two meals a day, that is, they divide the food they get from alms into two meals: breakfast and lunch, and they can only drink water in the afternoon. They are taboo about touching other people's heads casually. Except for monks, no one can touch other people's heads casually. Otherwise, it is a great insult to them. Thai monks are most taboo about someone giving him cash, because this is included in Buddhist precepts.

It is taboo for Thai people to sit cross-legged or with their legs spread apart. Because most Thai homes do not have seats, people are accustomed to sitting on the floor, but sitting with their feet crossed or legs spread apart is never allowed. They hate the slapping behavior of Westerners in their daily lives and think it is immoral. Rural people in Thailand also dislike the handshake ceremony. Not even welcome. They are taboo against anyone kicking the door or pointing at something. Consider this to be immoral and impolite. They are afraid of others passing things over their heads. I think this is extremely rude and will be seen as an intentional insult to him. They are taboo about serving with the left hand, thinking that the left hand is unclean, and meetings remind people of dirty things, and they may even suspect you of inappropriate behavior. They are taboo about signing with red pen and engraving in red color, thinking that using red is the treatment of the dead. They are taboo about sleeping with their head in the west and their feet in the east. They believe that only when the dead are buried are their heads in the west and their feet in the east. They regard it as impolite behavior to point their fingers at each other while wearing sunglasses. They were forbidden to discuss or inquire into the secrets of the king and the royal family. They avoid fresh beef and do not like soy sauce, braised dishes, sweet vegetables, bananas, sea cucumbers and other foods. 7. Eating habits

Thais love to eat the national-style "curry rice" (it is cooked with rice, fish, spices, coconut sauce and vegetables). They especially like to eat chili peppers, and the spicier the better. "Chili sauce" is a must-have for every meal; Thais also like to use MSG and fish sauce for seasoning. They do not drink hot tea, but are accustomed to putting ice cubes in the tea they drink, and they also like to drink some ice cubes with their drinks. When they drink orange or lime juice, they always like to add some salt to it. The development of this habit may have a lot to do with the hot climate in their country. They have the habit of eating fruit after meals. When eating watermelon or pineapple, they not only like to put some ice cubes, but also dip it in some salt or pepper. They think it tastes unique. They like to eat Western food for breakfast. Most people like to eat Chinese food for lunch and dinner. They are not used to using chopsticks when eating. Some people like to use forks and spoons (the spoon is held in the right hand and the fork in the left hand), and some people are happy to grab rice with their hands. Thai food is characterized by being sour, spicy and appetizing, and uses a lot of condiments and natural spices. Fish, shrimp, and crab are the signature dishes of every restaurant. Signature dishes include Tom Yum Goong (spicy and sour seafood soup), tender chicken soup with coconut milk, curry fish cakes, green curry chicken, mango rice, etc. The ingredients used in Thai cuisine are mainly seafood, fruits and vegetables. Thai people's main meal is a large bowl of rice, accompanied by one or two curry dishes, a fish, a soup, and a salad (lettuce). The order of meals is not particular. , according to personal preference.

Thai people have the following characteristics in their eating habits:

① Pay attention to tender fish and flavor characteristics. ②Taste: Generally, I like salty food and spicy food.

③ Staple food: rice (glutinous rice) is the staple food, not much pasta, but also interested in dumplings and soup noodles, and happy to eat small cakes and dry snacks.

④ For non-staple food, they like to eat fish, shrimp, other seafood, mutton, chicken, eggs, etc. They also like vegetables, peppers, tofu, vermicelli, etc.; for condiments, they like to use fish sauce, MSG, curry, coriander, Cardamom, garlic, chilli paste, butter, jam, etc. ⑤Preparation method: Preference for dishes made by cooking methods such as deep-frying, pan-frying, stewing, and stir-frying.

⑥Chinese food: I like Chinese Sichuan cuisine, Cantonese cuisine, Beijing cuisine, and Shanghai cuisine.

⑦Menu I really appreciate the flavored dishes such as hibiscus chicken slices, mutton lion head, winter melon cup, Teochew fish balls, twice-cooked pork, green pepper meat, fried shrimp balls, pot sticker chicken, dry-roasted mandarin fish, chicken slice soup.

⑧Water and wine: I like beer and wine; I like to drink mineral water, orange water, orange juice, coffee, cola, milk, etc.; I especially like to drink iced tea (black tea).

⑨Fruit: Like to eat tangerines, tangerines, grapes, watermelons, pineapples, lychees, longans, apples, duck plows, etc.; dry fruits like almonds, cashews, etc. Thai people cannot eat without fish, shrimp sauce and chili paste. They like Chinese Cantonese and Sichuan dishes, but they don’t like soy sauce and don’t like braised and sweet dishes.

I have the habit of eating apples and pears after meals, but not bananas. Betel nut and durian are the favorite fruits of Thai people. Thai people also like to drink tea. Many teahouses put a piece of ice in hot tea to entertain guests. When drinking coffee and black tea, I like to eat small cakes and dry snacks.

Thai cuisine is internationally renowned. Whether spicy or mild, harmony is the guiding principle behind every dish. Thai cooking is essentially a combination of centuries-old Eastern and Western influences that form the unique Thai cuisine. Thai cuisine is designed to suit everyone's appetites, depending on the chef, diners, occasion and location. Thai cooking originally reflected the characteristics of an aquatic lifestyle. Aquatic animals, plants and herbs are the main ingredients. Avoid large pieces of meat. Later influences led to the use of rather large pieces of meat in Thai cuisine as well.

Because of their Buddhist background, Thais avoid using meat from larger animals. Chunks of meat are minced and tossed with herbs and spices. Traditional Thai cooking methods are steaming, baking or grilling. Due to Chinese influence, frying, stir-frying and deep-frying methods were introduced. Since the 17th century, cooking methods have been influenced by Portuguese, Dutch, French and Japanese influences. In the late 17th century, Portuguese missionaries in South America introduced red peppers to Thai cuisine as they became accustomed to the taste.

Thais are very good at "Siam-Ise" foreign cooking methods and substituting some ingredients. Ghee used in Indian diet was replaced by coconut oil, and coconut water replaced other dairy products. Less overpowering pure spices and more fresh herbs like lemongrass and galangal. Finally, use fewer spices and more fresh herbs in Thai curries. It is generally known that Thai curry has a strong spiciness but lasts for a short time, while other curries, due to the strong spices, have a spiciness that lasts for a long time. Thai food is not served in a certain order, but served all at once, so that diners can enjoy the various flavors that complement and combine with each other.

Thailand’s fruit export is a major economic pillar of Thailand, mainly producing durian, mangosteen, longan, coconut, etc.