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Culture Smart Thailand

The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

Roger Jones

$19.99

Paperback

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Thai
Kuperard Publishers
01 April 2014
Series: Culture Smart
"For many outsiders Thailand still conjures up images of the East at its most mysterious and enchanting – a view largely formed by Hollywood films like The King and I. Never conquered by foreigners, this proud and ancient land has been shaped by Buddhism, the monarchy, and the military. Today it is a representative democracy with a populist female prime minister, and is ranked among the tiger economies of Southeast Asia. It is a manufacturing powerhouse, the world's largest rice exporter, and a tourist paradise that welcomes 22 million visitors a year to its beach resorts and its vibrant capital, Bangkok. Yet despite the veneer of Western modernity, the country and its people remain an enigma for many visitors, smiling and inscrutable. It conceals a unique system of personal values and attitudes, developed over centuries. You may find that Thais react to you in surprising and unexpected ways, coming as they do from a culture based on respect, status, self-control, non-confrontation, and harmony. They are also naturally generous and have a great love of fun. Thais put a great deal of effort into social skills in order to maintain social harmony, and one of their most potent weapons is the smile that puts people at ease and helps to defuse a difficult situation. This new, updated edition of Culture Smart! Thailand describes how the Thai people view the world and themselves. It examines the impact of religious beliefs and history on their lives, as well as the continuing importance of the monarchy. It looks at recent social and political developments, including the current tensions in the south. Above all, it helps visitors to become more culturally aware and so better able to interact successfully with the locals. Thailand's charm lies in being different, and visitors who make an effort to understand the differences will find their stay in ""The Land of Smiles"" a richly rewarding experience."

By:  
Imprint:   Kuperard Publishers
Country of Publication:   United Kingdom
Dimensions:   Height: 169mm,  Width: 110mm,  Spine: 13mm
Weight:   172g
ISBN:   9781857336917
ISBN 10:   1857336917
Series:   Culture Smart
Pages:   168
Publication Date:  
Audience:   General/trade ,  ELT Advanced
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Brief History Politics - Economic Life Traditions - Friendships & Family Relationships Bureaucracy Religion Humour - Local Holidays Taboos Invitations Gifts Dress - Business etiquette - Punctuality & Appointments - Team working Communication Negotiating - Women in Society Tips - Eating Out - Traditional Food - Dos and Don t - Making Friends

ROGER JONES is a writer and editor specializing in careers, living and working abroad, and music. A graduate in modern languages from King's College, London University, he has worked abroad in Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and in refugee welfare and education in the UK. He has written over fifteen handbooks including Culture Smart! Western Europe and Culture Smart! Libya, and two novels. He also writes and edits music reviews for an international classical music Web site, is a longstanding member of the Society of Authors, and plays an active role in civic amenity groups. He lives in Gloucestershire, UK.

Reviews for Culture Smart Thailand: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

Culture Smart! has come to the rescue of hapless travellers...' Sunday Times Travel, ' the perfect introduction to the weird, wonderful and downright odd quirks and customs of various countries.' Global Travel, ' full of fascinating, as well as common sense, tips to help you avoid embarrassing faux pas.' Observer, ' as useful as they are entertaining.' Easy Jet Magazine, ' offer glimpses into the psyche of a faraway world.' New York Times


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