Ever wonder what Life is like in Thailand?
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find out more about Thai culture or
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Click on an aspect of life in Thailand to find out more.
Information and details on the Culture & Language phase.
Learn about Thai culture; Some of the Do's and Don'ts
Learn about the religious history of Thailand.
Learn some basic Thai words and phrases.
For long and short term staff applications for Project L.I.F.E. ministries, please make sure you download and submit the Project L.I.F.E. Application forms below.
Because Thailand is located in the tropics, you will find the weather here will be quite warm most of the time, with “cool” being a relevant term. The hot season is from March – May with temperatures ranging from 27C-38C. The cool season is between November and February with temperatures ranging 15C- 32C.
We recommend that you only drink bottled water (affordable and available everywhere) or water that is boiled.
It all depends on the location and what they have going on. We would ask that you first contact the National Office administrator first prior to coming.
All YWAM staff worldwide are volunteers and do not receive a salary of any kind. (But the fringe benefits are awesome!)
A “short term” staff person by definition, is any person who comes to volunteer with us for 1 month up to 1 year. These people don’t necessarily have to be “YWAMers” and a completed DTS is not required. If you are interested in applying with YWAM Thailand “short term” click here for an application!
Being a long term staff with YWAM Thailand means coming to volunteer with us for longer than 1 year. It also means that you have completed BOTH phases of the DTS – the lecture phase and the outreach phase. Once accepted as YWAM Thailand staff, you will begin a “Culture/Language Internship” which last 18-24 months. In that time, you will begin studying Thai and learning to live in your new Thai surroundings. If you are interested in applying with YWAM Thailand “long term” click here for an application!
DON’t HESITATE
If you have any questions or need help connecting….
6/479-480
Ramkhamhaeng 2,
Soi 6
Dok Mai, Prawet,
Bangkok, 10263
+66-2-752-8180
office@ywamthailand.org
We strongly recommend that you set up your finances so that your support is deposited directly into your personal bank account in your home country. If you bring an ATM card with you with either the “Cirrus” or “Plus” symbol, you can withdraw finances quickly and easily as bank machines can easily be found throughout Thailand. Please be aware of the following:
NOTE – When bringing USD, it is best to bring $100 and $50 bills as they tend to get the best exchange rate when compared to $20, $10 and $5 bills. As well, the majority of banks and currency exchange counters will only exchange USD bills that have been printed after 2004.
NOTE – When bringing travelers cheques, please be aware that there is usually a $1 – $2 USD fee for each cheque regardless of the amount.
NOTE – If you are looking for a hassle-free and secure way to handle your teams funds while here, we recommend that you use an ATM card issued by your local bank. UPDATE – Please be advised that Thai banks are now charging a 150 baht surcharge fee every time you withdraw money. This is on top of any fees that your local bank may levy or any international fees. This means that you could potentially pay up to $10 USD per withdrawal.
Visa debit cards are also useful as they can be used at many stores although a 3% surcharge will be added. Credit cards are also widely accepted. When booking travel tickets through a travel agency, if you use a credit card, they will also charge you a 3% surcharge.
The local currency is currently rated at around US $1.00 = 35 baht. For the most recent currency exchange rate, please visit: http://www.bangkokbank.com/
It is current YWAM Thailand policy that all long-term staff, as well as short-term volunteers, have health insurance prior to their arrival. While it is true that health care within Thailand is cheap when compared to the West, there have been instances where a family or individual came down with a serious health issue that required extensive treatment. It is during situations like these, that having health insurance is a much needed and appreciated blessing.
Further details on how much to budget per month can be found in the attached Budget document. For further information, please contact Talent Trust at – http://www.talent-trust.com.
During your time in the Culture and Language Phase you will need to learn the Thai language. There are six (6) modules that you will need to study. Modules 1-3 deal with the basics of Thai language while modules 4-6 cover reading and writing. It is the stated goal of the Culture and Language Phase that you are able to communicate effectively with the local Thai population by the time your studies of module 1-6 are complete.
Please recognize that learning the Thai language is of daily benefit to you as you will be able to order food, travel around, communicate with locals, share your testimony etc.
The YWAM Thailand National Office has an official Thai language teacher that provides you the opportunity to learn ‘on site’. By studying at the YWAM Thailand National Office, you are able to save on travel expenses and travel time. We typically prefer all Culture and Language Phase students to study 4 day a week, 2 hours per day. NOTE – You do have the option of studying as an individual or with a classmate (if available).
However, if you are on a tight budget, and are unable to meet the stated language budget as mentioned in the Budget document (that was sent to you earlier), then further options may be discussed with you. NOTE – While we do believe that studying with our official Thai language teacher is the best option for you, we do understand that some students may prefer a group (10+ people) classroom setting.
By Sam Sarvis, Former National Director of YWAM Thailand and Phil Porter, National Director of YWAM Thailand
Our hope is that the C&L program we have established will aid you greatly as you adjust to living in Thailand. The requirements we ask you to fulfill have been set with your best interests at heart. We do feel that one “rule” needs further explanation and thus, we are including this article to that end. Specifically, we wish to discuss the requirement that states, “Refrain from any romantic relationship with locals within the first two years.” We would like to clarify some of the reasons behind this rule.
It must be noted up front that IN NO WAY is the leadership of YWAM Thailand against romantic relationships or against mixed-culture marriages. We DO believe that God often creates mixed-culture marriages and we celebrate these. However, the bottom line, in our opinion, is that most newcomers arriving from the West cannot understand the implications of marrying a Thai national. Of course, the following information does not only apply to new C&L staff. It also is for others who may have lived in Thailand for several years already and who are now interested in pursuing a relationship with a Thai of the opposite sex.
There are primarily two reasons for the general dating rule.
1) We believe that the first 12-18 months of a missionary’s time in the country is extremely important in setting the tone for the rest of that person’s life here. There are so many things to learn and absorb. It is also a time for developing and deepening our understanding of God’s call on our lives as it relates to Thailand. We need to really be able to focus on these things without the added stress/time of working through a cross-cultural relationship. We must recognize that ANY romantic relationship (even in our own culture) will naturally take up an incredible amount of emotional time and energy. We feel that if one’s C&L Phase is heavily focused on a relationship, it will severely limit the ability to really “get” a lot of the other important things.
2) More importantly, however, life, relationships, and especially the development of romantic relationships here is SO, SO different than in the West. The way that men and women relate, communicate and understand that communication, and the hidden messages in body language are extremely different than in the West. As well, unwritten (or un-communicated, but very much assumed) expectations from a Thai perspective are greatly different than the West. Some of these things might be learned from books but most of them can only be learned from being here for an extended period of time. Most of the Western men who have married Thai ladies would probably have appreciated having a better understanding of Thai culture/ways/thinking before starting a relationship if they were to do it over again. Not that they wouldn’t do it, but a lot of unnecessary stress and relationship challenges would have been avoided if there had been a better understanding on their part when they started the relationship.
A few thoughts to ponder regarding cultural differences between Thais and Westerners in regards to girl/guy relationships:
These issues are not necessarily “negative” aspects of Thai culture. It’s neither better nor worse than Western, just different. And, this is not an exhaustive list of differences. There are many other cultural differences as well. These are just a few that a new missionary should be aware of. As Westerners, we may think that our biggest cultural struggle will be the language. But actually, the spoken language is a lot easier to understand and learn than some of these other differences. We may feel that once we’ve learned to speak and recognize a few obvious cultural differences (such as not pointing our feet) that we can court or date here as we would in our home country. However, it doesn’t work that way.
There are some other things to consider before becoming romantically involved with a Thai, such as, what are your long-term plans? Are you thinking of staying here from now on or is there a good chance that you might end up returning to your home country in a couple of years? This is something that would need to be seriously considered and discussed before a relationship goes very far. It is a major issue for a Thai person to consider moving to a new country where they know no one, don’t eat the food, etc., for the rest of their life. If there’s a possibility that the missionary may be moving back to his/her home country long term, the Thai person should understand that very clearly (even if it’s not definite) before the relationship progresses at all. It is important that the Thai person think through the implications of such a move on their own life and on their relationships with their family, etc. On the other hand, many Thais are looking for a Western spouse specifically so they can move to a Western country. This makes them extremely prone to the temptation of pursuing a romantic relationship with a Westerner for the wrong reasons. A multi-millionaire has a hard time knowing who his/her friends really are. A Westerner in Thailand is in a similar vulnerable position.
With regards to ministry vision, what is the Thai person’s long-term calling? Do they know what your ministry vision is? What is their commitment to their current ministry or church? One of the difficulties with an issue like this is that it can seem to some like a “control” thing. Actually, no one has the right to tell you whom you can or cannot marry. There are times when a girl will let go of her vision to follow her husband (or future husband). We cannot judge if that is right or wrong. However, it is extremely important, before two people pursue a deep relationship, that both people know what God’s calling on each of their lives is and how this relationship might affect that calling. The reality is that once our emotions get involved, it can be a lot more difficult to clearly and objectively hear from God about anything that doesn’t directly involve the other person.
The primary factor in the “no dating locals” rule for the C&L time is the major differences between the Thai and Western culture. If an C&L staff guy from the West started getting interested in a missionary lady from the West, it wouldn’t be such a big thing. The relationship rules we have are not just to help you get married in a culturally appropriate way in Thailand. They are to protect both the new missionaries that are coming AND the local Thais. By this, we do NOT mean to “protect” them from falling into sin but rather to protect them from getting into something that they know nothing about–in other words, a romantic relationship with someone from almost “another world”, with a totally different world view, way of thinking, way of relating, way of viewing relationships, way of communicating, way of giving/receiving affection, and many, many more differences that aren’t necessarily evident in the beginning.
This rule was put into our policies because of a number of very, very difficult situations where Western men arrived here and fell in love with a Thai girl immediately. They weren’t “difficult” situations because of sin but rather because of major challenges. Most of these challenges (if not all) came from the fact that both parties became attracted to one another and then (naturally) proceeded on with the relationship in the same way they would have proceeded in a relationship with someone of their own culture, in their own country. However, they didn’t realize at the time that they didn’t have a clue about where the other person was coming from in regards to their ways of relating, outlook on life, and ways of communicating, etc.
Finally, one of the common challenges that most new missionaries will experience in the first couple of years is a sense of loneliness. You are away from all your close relationships, your family, your support system, etc., and you can be very vulnerable. At times like this, it is extremely easy to subconsciously meet that need by getting involved in a romantic relationship. Doing this during the C&L time can seriously hinder your progress, not only in learning the language, but also in learning other important cultural things. And more importantly, it can hinder you from really getting God’s heart for the people you are called to here in Thailand. We realize that two years can seem like an eternity, particularly if you have to wait that long for something. However, that has to do with perspective as well. If you compare waiting two years for a relationship so that for the next 40 years you will be where God wants you to be, doing what He wants, and doing it together with the one He wants, it’s not really that big of a sacrifice. Please know that more than anything else, we want God’s perfect will to be fully accomplished in your life, and His kingdom to be established in Thailand just as it is in Heaven.
Every two years, YWAM Thailand hosts a National Staff Conference. In anticipation of this event, all staff, both intern or long-term, pay a conference of 250 baht per month. This fee will be credited to your conference fee account, and should prevent you from having to pay any additional fees at the time of the conference. Should the staff conference take place less than 2 years following your arrival, it may be necessary to ask you to pay an additional fee of no more than 3000 baht per person to cover housing and meals during the conference in lieu of an insufficient accumulation of conference fees.
Please consult with your ministry leader to confirm if you will need to pay staff fees.
We ask all individuals and families, both short-term volunteers and long-term staff, to please look into your home country’s laws regarding the payment of taxes. We do understand that each country can vary in their tax laws and requirements. We do believe that it is wise on our part to ensure that our volunteers and staff are aware of any and all tax obligations that they may be held accountable for.
There have been several individuals in the past who were unaware of their tax obligations and ended up having to pay some very steep back taxes and penalties. We want to do all that we can to ensure that this does not happen again. If you need assistance, a tax accountant can be recommended to you. He is based in the US and assists several of our staff already.
The visa situation in Thailand, as in many other countries, is constantly changing. Although we suggest that you apply for a one-year, multiple-entry, non-immigrant Type “O” visa, the Thai authorities may not grant this request. We have found that this has been happening more often in recent years; and although it is inconvenient for our staff, it is one of the challenges we must accept as staff / volunteers in a foreign land.
While there are many embassies and consulates around the world, there are some that we would recommend that you try to avoid. We would not recommend that you apply for your visa at the embassy in Los Angeles, California due to many previous failed attempts. However, we would recommend that you consider trying the Thai embassy or consulate in the following locations:
Portland, Oregon
Honolulu, Hawaii
Denver, Colorado
Chicago, Illinois
If you do receive a one-year, multiple-entry, non-immigrant Type “O” visa, you will still be required to exit Thailand every 90 days as part of the visa restrictions. Each time you re-enter the country, until the expiration date of your visa, you will receive an additional 90 day stay in Thailand. In most cases, these “visa runs” may be accomplished in one day or less. When your current one-year, multiple-entry, non-immigrant Type “O” visa expires, you will need to go to one of the above listed cities / countries or return to your home country in order to apply for another one.
Many of our long-term staff still do not have missionary visas and they are required to do these “visa run” trips, as well. Once you are in Thailand, at your specific ministry location, your ministry leader will be able to give you the exact costs of such a trip as well as advice on the best way for you to get there.
If you do not receive the one-year, multiple-entry, non-immigrant Type “O” visa, please contact the YWAM Thailand National Office administrator (office@ywamthailand.org); and they will assist you through alternative options.
(Revised APRIL 2008)
The YWAM Thailand C&L Phase is a 12-18 month program designed to help the new staff individual to get a firm grasp on the Thai language and culture, as well as effective ways of ministering to the Thais. Its primary purpose is to equip those who will be joining YWAM Thailand as long-term staff.
Note: For individuals not working specifically with Thais, see Policies & Procedures IV.D.4.
The C&L Phase goals are:
Housing is found for C&L staff, any major purchases are made and financial issues are dealt with. Visa situations are assessed and plans for visa renewals are made. C&L Phase orientation is given which includes initial cultural orientation, orientation to YWAM Thailand, and language program orientation.
R = Required G = Guidelines (but may also be required locally)
At this point, your ministry leader will become your primary leader. For those who don’t yet have a specific ministry, your Local C&L Leader will continue to be your primary leader.
The national form of greeting in Thailand is the “wai”. It is done by placing the hands palm to palm and raising them to the face. About the level with the mouth or chin is normal, with a slight bow of the head. Quickly discipline yourself to greet with the “wai”, except to younger children, where a smile or nod is sufficient acknowledgement. When greeting, the younger or socially ‘inferior’ greets the elder or socially ‘superior’ first.
NOTE – When bringing USD, it is best to bring $100 and $50 bills as they tend to get the best exchange rate when compared to $20, $10 and $5 bills. As well, the majority of banks and currency exchange counters will only exchange USD bills that have been printed after 2004.
NOTE – When bringing travelers cheques, please be aware that there is usually a $1 – $2 USD fee for each cheque regardless of the amount.
NOTE – If you are looking for a hassle-free and secure way to handle your teams funds while here, we recommend that you use an ATM card issued by your local bank. UPDATE – Please be advised that Thai banks are now charging a 150 baht surcharge fee every time you withdraw money. This is on top of any fees that your local bank may levy or any international fees. This means that you could potentially pay up to $10 USD per withdrawal.
Visa debit cards are also useful as they can be used at many stores although a 3% surcharge will be added. Credit cards are also widely accepted. When booking travel tickets through a travel agency, if you use a credit card, they will also charge you a 3% surcharge.
The local currency is currently rated at around US $1.00 = 35 baht. For the most recent currency exchange rate, please visit: http://www.bangkokbank.com/
Thais consider the head as the most honorable part of the body. Therefore it is a great insult to touch a person’s head, reach over it or point at a person’s face. If you accidentally forget and do so, politely beg his or her pardon. If necessary to reach for something above someone’s head, say “excuse me” first.
Further details on how much to budget per month can be found in the attached Budget document. For further information, please contact Talent Trust at – http://www.talent-trust.com.
The foot is considered to be “dirty” by Thais. It is the lowest part of the body. Never point your foot (especially the bottom of the foot) at someone, refer to it or draw attention to it unnecessarily. Never move anything with your foot or step over someone if they are sitting on the floor. Sit cross-legged or fold your legs to the side, when sitting on the floor. Do not sit with your legs extended out in front of you. Always remove your shoes before entering a house.
Please recognize that learning the Thai language is of daily benefit to you as you will be able to order food, travel around, communicate with locals, share your testimony etc.
The YWAM Thailand National Office has an official Thai language teacher that provides you the opportunity to learn ‘on site’. By studying at the YWAM Thailand National Office, you are able to save on travel expenses and travel time. We typically prefer all Culture and Language Phase students to study 4 day a week, 2 hours per day. NOTE – You do have the option of studying as an individual or with a classmate (if available).
However, if you are on a tight budget, and are unable to meet the stated language budget as mentioned in the Budget document (that was sent to you earlier), then further options may be discussed with you. NOTE – While we do believe that studying with our official Thai language teacher is the best option for you, we do understand that some students may prefer a group (10+ people) classroom setting.
Buddhist monks are forbidden to touch or be touched by a woman, or to accept anything from the hand of one. If a woman has to give anything to a monk, she first hands it to a man, who then presents it. Women do not sit down next to a monk (eg. on a bus). When speaking to a monk, be sure to leave space between you and him.
Since Buddhism is the national religion in Thailand, all Buddha images, large and small, in good or bad condition, are regarded as sacred objects. Do not climb up on them to take a photograph or do anything that will show disrespect to Buddhism and indirectly to the Thai people. Showing disrespect to Buddhism and other religions is against the law and could cause you to be deported!
Please consult with your ministry leader to confirm if you will need to pay staff fees.
The Thais have a deep respect for the Royal Family and they love their king and queen. We therefore need to show respect for the members of the royal family also. Never talk about the royal family when Thais are present. Even if what we say is positive it may be misinterpreted and may offend the Thais. When in government buildings, in parks or on university campuses, the National Anthem is played at 8am and 6pm and everyone stops what they are doing and stands still and at attention, in respect. This includes the Ram 2 campus where we are located. Do NOT step on money because it has the king’s image/head on it and this would be VERY disrespectful.
There have been several individuals in the past who were unaware of their tax obligations and ended up having to pay some very steep back taxes and penalties. We want to do all that we can to ensure that this does not happen again. If you need assistance, a tax accountant can be recommended to you. He is based in the US and assists several of our staff already.
Bargaining is not done in departmental stores or up-scale shops. However, bargaining is done in markets and in small shops set up along the streets. Do not bargain with food vendors on the street. Find out the price before you order food. The same goes for taking motorcycle taxis. It is good to ask someone who has lived here for a while about the approximate costs in order to determine of what is a fair price to pay.
While there are many embassies and consulates around the world, there are some that we would recommend that you try to avoid. We would not recommend that you apply for your visa at the embassy in Los Angeles, California due to many previous failed attempts. However, we would recommend that you consider trying the Thai embassy or consulate in the following locations:
Portland, Oregon
Honolulu, Hawaii
Denver, Colorado
Chicago, Illinois
If you do receive a one-year, multiple-entry, non-immigrant Type “O” visa, you will still be required to exit Thailand every 90 days as part of the visa restrictions. Each time you re-enter the country, until the expiration date of your visa, you will receive an additional 90 day stay in Thailand. In most cases, these “visa runs” may be accomplished in one day or less. When your current one-year, multiple-entry, non-immigrant Type “O” visa expires, you will need to go to one of the above listed cities / countries or return to your home country in order to apply for another one.
Many of our long-term staff still do not have missionary visas and they are required to do these “visa run” trips, as well. Once you are in Thailand, at your specific ministry location, your ministry leader will be able to give you the exact costs of such a trip as well as advice on the best way for you to get there.
If you do not receive the one-year, multiple-entry, non-immigrant Type “O” visa, please contact the YWAM Thailand National Office administrator (office@ywamthailand.org); and they will assist you through alternative options.
Hand-holding between a man and woman is acceptable but no other public displays of affection are appropriate in Thai culture. However, you will often see members of the same sex holding hands, etc. This usually does not imply homosexual feelings but rather is a sign of friendship.
Thais call any Caucasian visitors “farangs”, derived from the word for the French people that came during the time of French Indochina. Thais love to ask “farang” and other visitors questions. Most questions are quite routine but others can appear quite shocking to foreigners who like to protect their personal privacy. The questions “Where are you going?” or “Where have you been?” or “Have you eaten lately?” are really a kind of greeting and they do not demand a detailed explanation. Other more prying questions such as “Why are you so fat?” or “Why are you not married yet?” or “How much money do you make?” or “What kind of birth-control do you use?” are quite normal questions in Thailand and are not considered nosy. A straightforward answer is not always expected and you can make a bit of a joke about it.
Thais place a high priority on neatness and cleanliness and are rather sensitive to body odor. It is not uncommon to shower several times a day here. The better you dress the more respect you will get in any level of society. One of the major differences between Thai culture and western culture is that long pants are worn in almost all settings. Shorts are worn only to play sports. When doing ministry, you will need to be especially careful about your attire and make sure you are not “sloppy”. Please ask your leaders for appropriate specific dress codes, since this will be different for each location.
In Thailand, it is not polite to show emotion in public. Thais are especially offended when one openly displays anger. So guard your tongue (Psalm 141:3 “Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips”) and learn to control your emotions. One angry outburst directed at a Thai could cancel your influence with that person and those who observed your behavior.
If people are sitting on the floor in a meeting, it is best to walk around the outside of the group. Do not step over people or books on the floor.
When visiting Thais in their home (or when they are visiting your home), it is the host’s responsibility to give the guest something to drink. Failure to do so is a breach of common courtesy. It is not the guest’s responsibility to drink the water, and it is acceptable not to, especially if you are not sure whether the water is pure.
When visiting Thai homes, especially if you are invited for a meal, it is customary to bring some fruit or small desserts. When in doubt about questions of etiquette, ask the YWAM staff or a Thai. It is common for a Thai person to invite you to eat rice with them. Often, the Thai person is only trying to be polite and expects you to refuse the offer. It is good to politely say, “No, thank-you…” If the Thai person persists, then they genuinely want you to accept the invitation. The same is true in the reverse. If you ask a Thai person to eat with you, often they will decline the first offer, but accept the second or third.
The Thai people are very group-oriented, compared to western individualism. Young Thais are going to share little snacks with you, and they sort of expect you to do the same with them. Try to become a cheerful giver, when you buy a bag of chips, some chocolates, etc.
To call a taxi or a person, signal them with a palm down, hand waving action. Do not use your index finger to call someone or to point somewhere or at somebody.
Be aware of the volume of your voice as some foreigners tend to speak loudly compared to Thai norms. It is basically impolite to shout, yell, or speak loudly in public. Go talk to the person instead of shouting to them. It is also considered impolite to laugh loudly in public.
When using the public dressing room, such as a pool changing room, use the changing stalls provided, as nudity is considered impolite.
Gifts are generally opened in private, not in front of the giver.
The Thais consider it poor manners to sit on a chair with your legs crossed, extended out in front of you, especially if you are bouncing your foot up and down. When sitting on the floor, sit as discretely as possible. Always try to sit on the same level as others. If someone is seated when you enter the room it is desirable to be seated as soon as possible. This is especially true if the person of higher status or older than you. If you disregard this, you will be thought rude.
It is impolite to pass something by tossing it to a person or pushing it toward them with the foot. When passing something, use your right hand, since using your left hand for passing things is rude because of cultural toilet practices.
Thais place great emphasis on politeness and respect for elders and those in authority. From an early age, they are taught to respect superiors, parents, teachers and the elderly. The emphasis in relationships is vertical rather than horizontal. In other words, Thais are concerned about fitting properly into society. Deference, avoidance of conflict and a desire to please people are all hallmarks of the Thai character. Therefore, when meeting people of higher status, it is wise to remember to address them politely and with respect. Remember to smile and “wai”.
Generosity is a sign of an important person. Don’t be stingy.
Generally, Thais accept their lot in life without resentment. They are usually good-natured and give the appearance that they are carefree (which is not always the case.) There is a sense of fatalism in their attitude towards life, which comes from the Buddhist concept of karma. That is, one’s past deeds bring consequences, both bad and good, to one’s present life. Trouble and suffering are believed to be a result of bad karma, while prosperity results from good karma.
Help should not be offered verbally. If you see that you could be of help, help! If you ask first, the person will refuse and say “never mind”, because they want to be considerate and do not wish to bother anyone. Your desire to help is noted and appreciated if you actually take the opportunity to be helpful.
Thailand is known as “The Land of Smiles”. To the foreigner who is unfamiliar with Thai culture, it may seem that the Thais are always smiling. Smiles have a variety of meanings in Thai society: to indicate amusement, to excuse and give pardon for minor offenses, to thank someone for a small service, to avoid comment on issues, or to show embarrassment, etc. Smile when you greet people and if people smile at you, smile back. Thai hearts (like most other hearts *grin*) are more open when they are met with heartfelt friendliness.
The concept of “Face” is most important in Thai culture. Keeping one’s “Face” is equivalent to keeping one’s self-respect and dignity intact. Thais will go great lengths to ensure that, as much as possible, neither you nor they will lose “Face”. In fact, almost anywhere you go in Asia, you will find this concept important. This means that Thais will rarely confront even when you have offended them. Therefore, confrontation must be done with great care to avoid shaming a Thai friend. It is best to ask a “farang” who has lived in Thailand for several years for advice if you feel confrontation is necessary.
The Thais are very relationship oriented. That means that unless they feel like you want to be their friend first, they are usually not going to be interested in the Gospel. Do NOT start sharing the Gospel with them before you have asked them about their family, where they live, their hobbies, school etc.
Remember that Thailand is a Buddhist country and many of our concepts concerning God are very difficult for them to grasp and understand especially Christian cliches. When sharing your testimony, keep it simply and to the point.
When explaining the Gospel, we have found it best to start from the very beginning of creation, attempting to explain God and His purpose for creating the universe and man. Just keep in mind that most Thai people have no Christian background whatsoever.
Never argue with them about Buddhism or say anything negative about Buddha or compare him to Jesus. That will only create resentment. Thai people believe in reincarnation, karma, merit, ancestor worship, ghosts of many kinds and much more. Remember when sharing with a Thai don’t get bogged down trying to figure out all these things, just stay focused on your testimony and the love of God. When it comes right down to it, Thai people have an emptiness in their hearts which only God can fill. They need to know that God loves them and wants a personal relationship with them.
Here are some Thai words that may be helpful for you.(ph is pronounced with a ‘p’ sound not like an ‘F’)
God = phra jaaw
Jesus = phra yesu
Love = khwaam rak
Sin = khwaam baap
Hell = narok
Grace = phra khun
heaven = sawaan
church = boat
God loves you = Phra jaaw song rak khun
If I speak with the tongue of a national, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or clanging cymbal.
If I wear the national dress and understand the culture and all forms of etiquette, and if I copy all the mannerisms so that I could pass for a national, but have not love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor, and if I spend my energy without reserve, but have not love, I am nothing.
Love endures long hours of language study, and is kind to those who mock his accent, love does not envy those who stayed at home, love does not exalt his home culture, is not proud of national superiority.
Love does not boast about the way we do it back home, does not seek his own ways, is not easily provoked into telling about the beauty of his home country, does not think evil of this culture.
Love bears all criticism about his home culture, believes all good things about this new culture, confidently anticipates being at home in this place, endures all inconveniences.
Love never fails, but where there is cultural anthropology, it will fail, where there is linguistics, it will change.
For we know only part of the culture and we minister to only part of the culture.
But when Christ is reproduced in this culture, then our inadequacies will be insignificant.
When I was in Holland* I spoke as a Dutchie* I understood as a Dutchie* I thought as a Dutchie*, but when I left Holland*, I put away Dutch* things.
Now we adapt to this culture awkwardly, but He will live in it intimately, now I speak with a strange accent, but He will speak to the heart.
And now these three remain; cultural adaptation, language study and love, but the greatest of these is love.
* fill in your own nationality
Media
Bangkok Post daily newspaper (with travel section ” Bangkok Post Horizons” updated every Friday)
The Nation daily newspaper (as well as Nation Explorer section updated every Friday)
Airlines
Thai Airways International
National carrier of the Kingdom of Thailand, offering “Amazing Thailand” specials and Royal Orchid Holidays packages.Bangkok Airways
Operates flights to Samui, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket, Hua Hin, Ranong and to Cambodia.
Trains
State Railway of Thailand
Official Site with Time Tables, Fare Rates.Bangkok’s Sky Train
Website with Maps, Routes and Fares.
Organizations
Tourism Authority of Thailand – Information ranging from culture and events to travel tips and Thai cooking (in English, Thai, French and Korean).
Tourist Police Thailand – with advice for visitors, contact information and complaint form.
Banks
Bangkok Bank – Currency Exchange Rates, updated daily.
Siam Commercial Bank – Currency Exchange Rates, updated daily.
The red, white and blue bands symbolize the nation, Buddhism and the monarch respectively.
The Kingdom of Thailand, covering an area of 514,000 square kilometers, lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, roughly equidistant between India and China. It shares borders with Myanmar to the west and north, Lao P.D.R. to the north and northeast, Cambodia to the east and Malaysia to the south
Thailand is divided into four distinct areas : the mountainous North, the fertile Central Plains, the semi-arid plateau of the Northeast, and the peninsula South, distinguished by its many beautiful tropical beaches and offshore islands.
Thailand lies within the humid tropics and remains hot throughout the year. Temperature varies from 19ƒC to 38ƒC. Average temperatures are 29C. There are three seasons: the cool season (November to February), the hot season (April to May), and the rainy season (June to October), though downpours rarely last more than a couple of hours.
Thailand has a population of about 60 million (1998) with the capital city of Bangkok having around 7million people. Ethnic Thais form the majority, though the area has historically been a migratory crossroads, and thus strains of Mon, Khmer, Burmese, Lao, Malay, Indian and most strongly, Chinese stock produce a degree of ethnic diversity. Integration is such, however, that culturally and socially there is enormous unity.
Thai is the national language. English is also understand in most cities.
Thailand is a predominantly Buddhist nation with over 93% professing to be Buddhist. They have a saying here in Thailand that says “To be Thai, is to be Buddhist”. However, there are a lot of animistic beliefs mixed into their brand of Buddhism as well. In addition to this, there are also 4% of the population that are Muslim and 1% Christian.
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty. Born in December 1927, in Cambridge, Massachusetts USA, where his father, Prince Mahidol of Songkhla was studying medicine at Harvard University, H.M. King Bhumibol ascended the throne in 1946 and is already the longest reigning Thai monarch. As a constitutional monarch, he maintains neutrality in times of crisis.
Thai people have a deep and traditional reverence for the Royal Family. To a very large degree, H.M. King Bhumibol’s popularity mirrors his deep interest in his people’s welfare. He concerns himself intimately with every aspect of Thai life. He and his wife, H.M. Queen Sirikit devote much of their time to inspect and improve the welfare of the people.
Most offices open from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, except on public holidays. General banking hours are Monday to Friday 9.30 am to 3.30 pm. Many stores open 12 hours a day, seven days a week.
ATM machines are now common place in most major centers here in Thailand. If you have a card with the “CIRRUS” or “PLUS” symbols, you should have no problem obtaining money via these service. Please note, that your bank back home will most likely have an international service charge per transaction as well, so please check that out first.
Visa debit cards are also useful as they can be used at many stores. Credit cards are also widely accepted.
The electric system is 220 Volt AC (50 cycles). There are many plugs and sockets in use. Travellers with shavers, tape recorders and other appliances should carry a plug-adapter kit.
Depending upon what type of visa you entered Thailand with, there are different requirements. If you entered the country with a one-year multiple entry visa, than you must leave Thailand every 90 days. If you have any questions regarding your visa, it is best to discuss your situation with the National Office Administrator. For more information click here.
GMT +7 hours
Drink only bottled or boiled water.
Rice, tapioca, rubber, coconuts, sugar, maize, pineapples, cotton and palm oil.
Textiles, cement, electronics, cars, trucks, gems and jewellery.
Thailand is a free country with regards to religious beliefs and the opportunities we have to share the Gospel freely. However, because of the unique nature of our ministry here in Thailand, we need to exercise caution in how we obtain visas. There are situations and “wordings” that MUST be avoided in order for us to protect many of our long term ministries and workers.
We would ask that you PLEASE CONTACT OUR ADMINISTRATOR prior to making inquiries about visas prior to your coming.
With regards to general information on visas in Thailand, here are some guidelines and information that you should know.
The visa situation in Thailand, as in many other countries, is constantly changing. If you are coming to join YWAM Thailand for long term ministry, we suggest that you apply for a one-year non-immigrant –o- visa. However, the Consulate may only issue you a 90-day visa. We have found that this has been happening more often and although it is inconvenient for our staff, it is one of the challenges we must accept as volunteers in a foreign land. If you do receive a year-long visa, you will still be required to leave the country every 90 days. However, you do not have to re-apply for a visa each time but you simply have to cross over the border into any other country.
If you receive a 90-day visa, you will be required to leave Thailand and re-apply for another 90-day visa. The closest country to re-apply for a visa is Malaysia which is about a 21-hour train ride (one-way) from Bangkok. Usually they will issue you another 90-day visa. Therefore, it is important that you prepare yourself financially and emotionally for a “visa-run” trip every 90-days. Many of our long-term staff still do not have missionary visas and they are required to do these “visa-run” trips as well. Once you are in Thailand, at your location, those working there will be able to give you the exact costs of such a trip as well as advice on the best way for you to get there.
Please be aware that receipt of a visa is never guaranteed. You may want to consider creative ways to obtain a long-term visa, such as getting a job teaching English, etc.
If you are an Outreach Team coming to do outreach in Thailand, please see the related information on the Outreach Teams page
Thailand has always been a Buddhist country. Often described as more a way of life than religion, Buddhism pervades Thai life and influences their conduct in countless subtle ways. Over 95% of the Thai people are members of the Theravada Buddhist sect. Thailand has long been tolerant of other religions, but the numbers involved are quite small; one million Muslims predominate in 4 provinces bordering Malaysia; 250,000 Christians and small groups of Hindus, Sikhs and believers of Confucius Ethics. There is a complete freedom of worship, exemplified by the role of the King as protector of all religions.
The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in Thailand in 1518 and they were allowed to open a Christian mission. In fact the Thai king gave a large donation to build the first Christian (Roman Catholic) church in the country. English traders who arrived in 1612 were agents for the East India Company and were more interested in building a factory than a church. Under King Narai, who was interested in the West, European missionaries and adventurers exerted considerable influence at court. However, when King Narai died in 1688, members of the government, fearing the missionaries proselytizing efforts, killed or expelled all Westerners from Thailand. It remained a closed country to the Europeans for the next 100 years.
In 1780, King Taksin allowed French missionaries to enter Thailand, and like a previous Thai king, helped them build a church. In the early part of the 19th century it was estimated that there were 1,000 Thai Christians in Bangkok, descendants of the Portuguese who were widely intermarried with the Thais. Protestant missionaries arrived in 1828,and the continuous residence of American missionaries dates from 1833. After 18 years, 22 missionaries had failed to make one convert, but their non-religious impact was profound. They brought modern scientific knowledge and western medicine to the country. In 1835, American missionaries set up the first printing press using the Thai alphabet.
King Mongkut learned English from his American missionary friends who also introduced him to Christianity. However, he could not accept Divine Revelation or Redemption of Sin, only pure human reason. He is quoted as saying, “What you teach them to do is admirable, but what you teach them to believe is foolish.” Still, he saw no harm in the Christian faith if it helped other people and both the Catholics and the Protestants benefited from his help in many ways.
Although in the early part of this century, the Presbyterian missionaries saw growth occur in the Thai church, this began to level off after a few years. Then, during the 2nd World War, numbers declined, but began to rise again after the war ended when there was an influx of missionaries and new missions, e.g. OMF, New Tribes, WEC. However, it was not until the 1970s that any significant trends began to be established in terms of church growth.
Even though to be born Thai means to be born Buddhist, the average Thai person is not much more a Buddhist than many people in the Western world consider themselves to be Christian. Some rituals are followed by most people, but only a few follow all the rules of Buddhism. It seems that Buddhism has lost a lot of its attraction to the Thai people. The economic turmoil of the recent years has caused a new openness in the Thai people as many are looking for meaning in life besides materialism.
| Numbers | |
| nung | 1 |
| soong | 2 |
| saam | 3 |
| sii | 4 |
| haa | 5 |
| hok | 6 |
| jet | 7 |
| paet | 8 |
| gaao | 9 |
| sip | 10 |
| sip-et | 11 |
| sip-soong | 12 |
| yii-sip | 20 |
| yii-sip-et | 21 |
| yii-sip-soong | 22 |
| saam-sip | 30 |
| (nung) rooi | 100 |
| soong rooi | 200 |
| (nung) phan | 1000 |
| soong phan | 2000 |
| (nung) muun | 10000 |
| soong muun | 20,000 |
| (nung) saen | 100,000 |
| (nung) laan | 1,000,000 |
| Useful Phrases | |
| thang mot | total |
| thao rai? | how much? |
| mi thao rai? | how many? |
| khun mii mai? | do you have? |
| rao mai mii | we don’t have. |
| yang rai | how |
| mua rai | when |
| a-rai | what |
| thii-nai | where |
| chai | “yes” |
| mai chai | “no” |
| phom choop | I like (for men) |
| dichan choop | I like (for women) |
| phom mai choop | I don’t like (for men) |
| dichan mai choop | I don’t like (for women) |
| bpay nai? | where are you going? |
| bpay thiaw | an outing for fun/ pleasure |
| bpay thura | business/ private matters |
| phom yak cha | I would like to (men) |
| dichan yak cha | I would like to (women) |
| riak waa | to be called |
| mai saap/ mai ruu | don’t know |
| kit waa | think |
| leew khor | and |
| Addressing People | |
| khun | you |
| phom | I/me (for men) |
| dichan | I/me (for women) |
| rao | we |
| khaw | he/ she/ they |
| chuai duai | help |
| Useful Verbs | ||
| bpay | go | |
| maa | come | |
| choop | like | |
| mai chop | don°t like | |
| kin (gkin)/ thaan | eat | |
| yut | stop | |
| rian | to study | |
| sang (sung) | order (food) | |
| Common Expressions | |
| khoop khun | thank-you |
| kha toad | sorry/ pardon me/ excuse me |
| mai-pen-rai | nevermind |
| khao jai mai | do you understand? |
| khao jai | understand |
| mai-khao jai | don’t understand |
| arai khor dai | anything°s fine |
| dai | yes, you can |
| mai dai | no you can°t |
| Some Adjectives | |
| sanuk | fun |
| phaeng | expensive |
| thuuk | inexpensive/ cheap |
| yen/ naaw | cold |
| roon | hot |
| chaa | slow |
| rew | fast |
| lek | small |
| yai | big |
| suai | beautiful |
| loor | handsome |
| suung | tall |
| tia | short |
| dii | good |
| yaak | difficult |
| ngaai | easy |
| uan | fat |
| phorm | thin |
| aroi | delicious |
| waan | sweet |
| priaw | sour |
| phet | spicy |
| khem | salty |
| Greetings | |
| sawatdii | hello/good-bye |
| sabaaydii mai | how are you? |
| sabaaydii | I’m fine |
| phop kan mai | see you later |
| Days of the Week | ||
| wan jan | Monday | |
| wan angkhaan | Tuesday | |
| wan phut | Wednesday | |
| wan pharahatd | Thursday | |
| wan suk | Friday | |
| wan saw | Saturday | |
| wan aathit | Sunday | |
| wan yut | weekend | |
| Directions | |
| dtrong bpay | go straight |
| liaw khwaa | turn right |
| liaw saai | turn left |
| jod thii ni | stop here |
| soy | lane, side street |
| thanon | road |
| Transportation | |
| rot mei | bus |
| rot yon | car |
| rot thu | van |
| rot fai | train |
| rot fai faa | sky train |
| khrungbin | airplane |
| Conversational | ||
| khun cher aria? | What is your name? | |
| phom cher | my name is (men) | |
| dichan cher | my name is (women) | |
| yin-dii thii daai ruu-jak | nice to meet you | |
| chen gan | nice to meet you too | |
| Phra Jiaow wei pon | God bless you | |
| Phra Jiaow ruk khun | God loves you | |
| People | |
| phuu-ying | woman |
| phuu-chaai | man |
| dek/ dek dek | child/children |
| khroopkhrua | family |
| phii (name) | polite form of address for an older (person) |
| noong | younger (person) |
The national form of greeting in Thailand is the “wai”. It is done by placing the hands palm to palm and raising them to the face. About the level with the mouth or chin is normal, with a slight bow of the head. Quickly discipline yourself to greet with the “wai”, except to younger children, where a smile or nod is sufficient acknowledgement. When greeting, the younger or socially ‘inferior’ greets the elder or socially ‘superior’ first.
NOTE – When bringing USD, it is best to bring $100 and $50 bills as they tend to get the best exchange rate when compared to $20, $10 and $5 bills. As well, the majority of banks and currency exchange counters will only exchange USD bills that have been printed after 2004.
NOTE – When bringing travelers cheques, please be aware that there is usually a $1 – $2 USD fee for each cheque regardless of the amount.
NOTE – If you are looking for a hassle-free and secure way to handle your teams funds while here, we recommend that you use an ATM card issued by your local bank. UPDATE – Please be advised that Thai banks are now charging a 150 baht surcharge fee every time you withdraw money. This is on top of any fees that your local bank may levy or any international fees. This means that you could potentially pay up to $10 USD per withdrawal.
Visa debit cards are also useful as they can be used at many stores although a 3% surcharge will be added. Credit cards are also widely accepted. When booking travel tickets through a travel agency, if you use a credit card, they will also charge you a 3% surcharge.
The local currency is currently rated at around US $1.00 = 35 baht. For the most recent currency exchange rate, please visit: http://www.bangkokbank.com/
Thais consider the head as the most honorable part of the body. Therefore it is a great insult to touch a person’s head, reach over it or point at a person’s face. If you accidentally forget and do so, politely beg his or her pardon. If necessary to reach for something above someone’s head, say “excuse me” first.
Further details on how much to budget per month can be found in the attached Budget document. For further information, please contact Talent Trust at – http://www.talent-trust.com.
The foot is considered to be “dirty” by Thais. It is the lowest part of the body. Never point your foot (especially the bottom of the foot) at someone, refer to it or draw attention to it unnecessarily. Never move anything with your foot or step over someone if they are sitting on the floor. Sit cross-legged or fold your legs to the side, when sitting on the floor. Do not sit with your legs extended out in front of you. Always remove your shoes before entering a house.
Please recognize that learning the Thai language is of daily benefit to you as you will be able to order food, travel around, communicate with locals, share your testimony etc.
The YWAM Thailand National Office has an official Thai language teacher that provides you the opportunity to learn ‘on site’. By studying at the YWAM Thailand National Office, you are able to save on travel expenses and travel time. We typically prefer all Culture and Language Phase students to study 4 day a week, 2 hours per day. NOTE – You do have the option of studying as an individual or with a classmate (if available).
However, if you are on a tight budget, and are unable to meet the stated language budget as mentioned in the Budget document (that was sent to you earlier), then further options may be discussed with you. NOTE – While we do believe that studying with our official Thai language teacher is the best option for you, we do understand that some students may prefer a group (10+ people) classroom setting.
Buddhist monks are forbidden to touch or be touched by a woman, or to accept anything from the hand of one. If a woman has to give anything to a monk, she first hands it to a man, who then presents it. Women do not sit down next to a monk (eg. on a bus). When speaking to a monk, be sure to leave space between you and him.
Since Buddhism is the national religion in Thailand, all Buddha images, large and small, in good or bad condition, are regarded as sacred objects. Do not climb up on them to take a photograph or do anything that will show disrespect to Buddhism and indirectly to the Thai people. Showing disrespect to Buddhism and other religions is against the law and could cause you to be deported!
Please consult with your ministry leader to confirm if you will need to pay staff fees.
The Thais have a deep respect for the Royal Family and they love their king and queen. We therefore need to show respect for the members of the royal family also. Never talk about the royal family when Thais are present. Even if what we say is positive it may be misinterpreted and may offend the Thais. When in government buildings, in parks or on university campuses, the National Anthem is played at 8am and 6pm and everyone stops what they are doing and stands still and at attention, in respect. This includes the Ram 2 campus where we are located. Do NOT step on money because it has the king’s image/head on it and this would be VERY disrespectful.
There have been several individuals in the past who were unaware of their tax obligations and ended up having to pay some very steep back taxes and penalties. We want to do all that we can to ensure that this does not happen again. If you need assistance, a tax accountant can be recommended to you. He is based in the US and assists several of our staff already.
Bargaining is not done in departmental stores or up-scale shops. However, bargaining is done in markets and in small shops set up along the streets. Do not bargain with food vendors on the street. Find out the price before you order food. The same goes for taking motorcycle taxis. It is good to ask someone who has lived here for a while about the approximate costs in order to determine of what is a fair price to pay.
While there are many embassies and consulates around the world, there are some that we would recommend that you try to avoid. We would not recommend that you apply for your visa at the embassy in Los Angeles, California due to many previous failed attempts. However, we would recommend that you consider trying the Thai embassy or consulate in the following locations:
Portland, Oregon
Honolulu, Hawaii
Denver, Colorado
Chicago, Illinois
If you do receive a one-year, multiple-entry, non-immigrant Type “O” visa, you will still be required to exit Thailand every 90 days as part of the visa restrictions. Each time you re-enter the country, until the expiration date of your visa, you will receive an additional 90 day stay in Thailand. In most cases, these “visa runs” may be accomplished in one day or less. When your current one-year, multiple-entry, non-immigrant Type “O” visa expires, you will need to go to one of the above listed cities / countries or return to your home country in order to apply for another one.
Many of our long-term staff still do not have missionary visas and they are required to do these “visa run” trips, as well. Once you are in Thailand, at your specific ministry location, your ministry leader will be able to give you the exact costs of such a trip as well as advice on the best way for you to get there.
If you do not receive the one-year, multiple-entry, non-immigrant Type “O” visa, please contact the YWAM Thailand National Office administrator (office@ywamthailand.org); and they will assist you through alternative options.
Hand-holding between a man and woman is acceptable but no other public displays of affection are appropriate in Thai culture. However, you will often see members of the same sex holding hands, etc. This usually does not imply homosexual feelings but rather is a sign of friendship.
Thais call any Caucasian visitors “farangs”, derived from the word for the French people that came during the time of French Indochina. Thais love to ask “farang” and other visitors questions. Most questions are quite routine but others can appear quite shocking to foreigners who like to protect their personal privacy. The questions “Where are you going?” or “Where have you been?” or “Have you eaten lately?” are really a kind of greeting and they do not demand a detailed explanation. Other more prying questions such as “Why are you so fat?” or “Why are you not married yet?” or “How much money do you make?” or “What kind of birth-control do you use?” are quite normal questions in Thailand and are not considered nosy. A straightforward answer is not always expected and you can make a bit of a joke about it.
Thais place a high priority on neatness and cleanliness and are rather sensitive to body odor. It is not uncommon to shower several times a day here. The better you dress the more respect you will get in any level of society. One of the major differences between Thai culture and western culture is that long pants are worn in almost all settings. Shorts are worn only to play sports. When doing ministry, you will need to be especially careful about your attire and make sure you are not “sloppy”. Please ask your leaders for appropriate specific dress codes, since this will be different for each location.
In Thailand, it is not polite to show emotion in public. Thais are especially offended when one openly displays anger. So guard your tongue (Psalm 141:3 “Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips”) and learn to control your emotions. One angry outburst directed at a Thai could cancel your influence with that person and those who observed your behavior.
If people are sitting on the floor in a meeting, it is best to walk around the outside of the group. Do not step over people or books on the floor.
When visiting Thais in their home (or when they are visiting your home), it is the host’s responsibility to give the guest something to drink. Failure to do so is a breach of common courtesy. It is not the guest’s responsibility to drink the water, and it is acceptable not to, especially if you are not sure whether the water is pure.
When visiting Thai homes, especially if you are invited for a meal, it is customary to bring some fruit or small desserts. When in doubt about questions of etiquette, ask the YWAM staff or a Thai. It is common for a Thai person to invite you to eat rice with them. Often, the Thai person is only trying to be polite and expects you to refuse the offer. It is good to politely say, “No, thank-you…” If the Thai person persists, then they genuinely want you to accept the invitation. The same is true in the reverse. If you ask a Thai person to eat with you, often they will decline the first offer, but accept the second or third.
The Thai people are very group-oriented, compared to western individualism. Young Thais are going to share little snacks with you, and they sort of expect you to do the same with them. Try to become a cheerful giver, when you buy a bag of chips, some chocolates, etc.
To call a taxi or a person, signal them with a palm down, hand waving action. Do not use your index finger to call someone or to point somewhere or at somebody.
Be aware of the volume of your voice as some foreigners tend to speak loudly compared to Thai norms. It is basically impolite to shout, yell, or speak loudly in public. Go talk to the person instead of shouting to them. It is also considered impolite to laugh loudly in public.
When using the public dressing room, such as a pool changing room, use the changing stalls provided, as nudity is considered impolite.
Gifts are generally opened in private, not in front of the giver.
The Thais consider it poor manners to sit on a chair with your legs crossed, extended out in front of you, especially if you are bouncing your foot up and down. When sitting on the floor, sit as discretely as possible. Always try to sit on the same level as others. If someone is seated when you enter the room it is desirable to be seated as soon as possible. This is especially true if the person of higher status or older than you. If you disregard this, you will be thought rude.
It is impolite to pass something by tossing it to a person or pushing it toward them with the foot. When passing something, use your right hand, since using your left hand for passing things is rude because of cultural toilet practices.
Thais place great emphasis on politeness and respect for elders and those in authority. From an early age, they are taught to respect superiors, parents, teachers and the elderly. The emphasis in relationships is vertical rather than horizontal. In other words, Thais are concerned about fitting properly into society. Deference, avoidance of conflict and a desire to please people are all hallmarks of the Thai character. Therefore, when meeting people of higher status, it is wise to remember to address them politely and with respect. Remember to smile and “wai”.
Generosity is a sign of an important person. Don’t be stingy.
Generally, Thais accept their lot in life without resentment. They are usually good-natured and give the appearance that they are carefree (which is not always the case.) There is a sense of fatalism in their attitude towards life, which comes from the Buddhist concept of karma. That is, one’s past deeds bring consequences, both bad and good, to one’s present life. Trouble and suffering are believed to be a result of bad karma, while prosperity results from good karma.
Help should not be offered verbally. If you see that you could be of help, help! If you ask first, the person will refuse and say “never mind”, because they want to be considerate and do not wish to bother anyone. Your desire to help is noted and appreciated if you actually take the opportunity to be helpful.
Thailand is known as “The Land of Smiles”. To the foreigner who is unfamiliar with Thai culture, it may seem that the Thais are always smiling. Smiles have a variety of meanings in Thai society: to indicate amusement, to excuse and give pardon for minor offenses, to thank someone for a small service, to avoid comment on issues, or to show embarrassment, etc. Smile when you greet people and if people smile at you, smile back. Thai hearts (like most other hearts *grin*) are more open when they are met with heartfelt friendliness.
The concept of “Face” is most important in Thai culture. Keeping one’s “Face” is equivalent to keeping one’s self-respect and dignity intact. Thais will go great lengths to ensure that, as much as possible, neither you nor they will lose “Face”. In fact, almost anywhere you go in Asia, you will find this concept important. This means that Thais will rarely confront even when you have offended them. Therefore, confrontation must be done with great care to avoid shaming a Thai friend. It is best to ask a “farang” who has lived in Thailand for several years for advice if you feel confrontation is necessary.
The Thais are very relationship oriented. That means that unless they feel like you want to be their friend first, they are usually not going to be interested in the Gospel. Do NOT start sharing the Gospel with them before you have asked them about their family, where they live, their hobbies, school etc.
Remember that Thailand is a Buddhist country and many of our concepts concerning God are very difficult for them to grasp and understand especially Christian cliches. When sharing your testimony, keep it simply and to the point.
When explaining the Gospel, we have found it best to start from the very beginning of creation, attempting to explain God and His purpose for creating the universe and man. Just keep in mind that most Thai people have no Christian background whatsoever.
Never argue with them about Buddhism or say anything negative about Buddha or compare him to Jesus. That will only create resentment. Thai people believe in reincarnation, karma, merit, ancestor worship, ghosts of many kinds and much more. Remember when sharing with a Thai don’t get bogged down trying to figure out all these things, just stay focused on your testimony and the love of God. When it comes right down to it, Thai people have an emptiness in their hearts which only God can fill. They need to know that God loves them and wants a personal relationship with them.
Here are some Thai words that may be helpful for you.(ph is pronounced with a ‘p’ sound not like an ‘F’)
God = phra jaaw
Jesus = phra yesu
Love = khwaam rak
Sin = khwaam baap
Hell = narok
Grace = phra khun
heaven = sawaan
church = boat
God loves you = Phra jaaw song rak khun
YWAM is called to make God known throughout the whole world, and into every arena of society through evangelism, training and mercy ministries. We believe that salvation of souls should result in transformation of societies thus obeying Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations. (1Ch 16:24-27; Psa 68:11; Psa 71:15-16; Psa 145:4-7; Mat 28:18-20; Mar 16:15; Act 1:8; Act 13:1-4a; Rom 10:8-15; Rom 15:18-21)
วายแวมรับการทรงเรียกที่จะทำให้ทั่วทั้งโลกได้รู้จักพระเจ้า และให้ถึงสังคมทุกด้านผ่านทางการประกาศ การฝึกอบรมและพันธกิจเมตตา เราเชื่อว่าจิตวิญญาณที่ได้รับความรอดนั้นควรยังผลในการเปลี่ยนแปลงของสังคม เราทำเช่นนั้นได้โดยการเชื่อฟังพระเยซูด้วยการสร้างคนในทุกชาติให้เป็นสาวก (1 พงศาวดาร 16:24-27; สดุดี 68:11; สดุดี 71:15-16; สดุดี 145:4-7; มัทธิว 28:18-20; มาระโก 16:15; กิจการ 1:8; กิจการ 13:1-4a; โรม 10:8-15; โรม 15:18-21)
YWAM is committed to know God, His nature, His character and His ways as revealed in the Bible, the inspired and authoritative Word of God. We seek to reflect who He is in every aspect of our lives and ministry. The automatic overflow of knowing and enjoying fellowship with God is a desire to share Him with others. (2Ki 19:19; Job 42:5; Psa 46:10; Psa 103:7-13; Jer 9:23-24; Hos 6:3; Joh 17:3; Eph 1:16-17; Php 3:7-11; 1Jo 2:4-6)
วายแวมอุทิศตนต่อการรู้จักพระเจ้า อุปนิสัย พระลักษณะ และวิถีทางของพระองค์ ดังที่ได้สำแดงผ่านทางพระคัมภีร์ไบเบิ้ล ซึ่งถือเป็นถ้อยคำที่ได้รับการดลใจและมีสิทธิอำนาจจากพระเจ้า เราแสวงหาที่จะสำแดงถึงพระเจ้าในทุกด้านของชีวิตและในพันธกิจของเรา ครั้นรู้จักกับพระเจ้าและอยู่ในการสามัคคีธรรมกับพระองค์แล้ว เราจะปรารถนาที่จะแบ่งปันเกี่ยวกับพระเจ้าสู่ผู้อื่นได้เป็นอัตโนมัติ (2 พงศ์กษัตริย์ 19:19; โยบ 42:5; สดุดี 46:10; สดุดี103:7-13; เยเรมีย์ 9:23-24; โฮเซยา 6:3; ยอห์น 17:3; เอเฟซัส 1:16-17; ฟิลิปปี 3:7-11; 1ยอห์น 2:4-6)
