หนังสือภาษาอังกฤษสำหรับวัฒนธรรมไทย

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The first ritual following death is the bathing ceremony. Today, it more
commonly takes place as a ceremonial pouring of water. Guests to the ceremony
will, one by one, pour water infused with lustral water over the hand of the
deceased. Following the bathing ceremony, the hair is ritually combed and the body
dressed and placed in the coffin; the undertaker will perform certain rituals during
the process.

The coffin is then placed on display for merit making, and daily rites are
held, with monks invited to chant the Abhidhamma. This was traditionally held at
the home, but today it usually takes place at a Buddhist temple (wat), usually in the
evening. Such rites are usually held for three, five or seven consecutive days. An
important ritual during such funeral rites is bangsukun (บังสุกุล, from Pali
paṃsukūla)—the offering of cloth to monks on behalf of the dead. Each chanting
ceremony may be sponsored by a family member or friend who pays for
refreshments and gifts (cloth, etc.) to the monks.

The body is finally disposed of in a cremation ceremony, which takes

place at a temple's crematorium (called men (เมรุ) in Thai for their symbolisation of

Mount Meru). The body may be taken around the temple's crematorium three times
in an anti-clockwise direction, usually via a cart which is pulled, by either Monks or
family and friends. The body will then be taken up to the men, where the cremation
will occur. Sometimes the cremation will be held after waiting a certain period (e.g.
100 days or a year following death). Merit-making rites are also held at 7, 50 and 100
days after death.

Thai Holidays, Celebrations, and Festivals in Thailand
Thailand is a nation of rich culture and traditions, with a myriad of holidays

and festivals. They also celebrate a number of familiar Western holidays. Thai
holidays offer a wide variety of celebrations – some commemorate significant events
in the country’s history, while others are Buddhist religious observances. Fantastic
cuisine and local performances are also sure to please any tourists soaking up the
celebrations. Thai holidays attract visitors from all over the world, all people flocking
to see the grand spectacles and absorb the local culture of Thailand.

Here are seven important Thai holidays (public holidays and national
holidays included), along with other key festivals and events:

1. Visakha Puja Holiday
This Buddhist religious holiday is sometimes called ‘Buddha’s Birthday’.
The Thai holiday celebrates what are considered to be the three major events in the

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life of the Buddha. The events celebrated are the Buddha’s birth, his enlightenment,
and his death. The holiday is celebrated in Thailand and by many Buddhists around
the globe.

The name of the Thai holiday comes from the Sanskrit name of the lunar
month in which the holiday falls. One of the principal ways of celebrating Visakha
Puja is by making special effort to help the less fortunate, as a way of honoring the
legacy of the Buddha. The Buddha once said that following his teachings was the
greatest homage to him.

2. Constitution Day
Constitution Day is held every year on December 10th, and these Thai
holidays commemorate the reform of Thailand into a constitutional monarchy.
Before their constitution, Thailand was an absolute monarchy in which the king held
supreme authority over all of his subjects.
Thailand has had a number of different charters and constitutions
governing the nation over its’ long history, with many dating back to when the
country was still called Siam. Constitution Day celebrates the signing of the 1932
constitution by King Prajadhipok. The constitution replaced a temporary charter and
affirmed that the ultimate sovereign power of the nation belonged to the people,
not the monarchy.
3. Loy Kratong Holiday
The festival of Loy Kratong is held every year on the night of the year’s
12th full moon. Also known in English as ‘The Festival of Lights’, the name is roughly
translated as ‘to float a basket’. Traditionally, woven baskets were made and floated
down the river. The baskets are decorated with flowers and leaves, and are meant to
honor the Goddess of Water.
People also place hair clippings on the basket to symbolize letting go of
past transgressions. While the baskets are still made, celebrations also include
fireworks and pageants to select the ‘Nopphamat Queen’.
4. Buddhist Lent
Buddhist Lent is an observance held by Buddhists in Southeast Asia,
including Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia. Known in Thailand as
‘Wan Khao Phansa’, Buddhist Lent lasts for a three-month period during the rainy
season. The Thai holiday is attributed to the Buddha himself. During the rainy season,
monks would often trample rice sprouts, much to the farmers’ discontent.

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To solve this, the Buddha decided that all monks would remain in the
temple from the first waning moon day of the 8th lunar month to the 15th waxing
moon day of the 11th lunar month.

5. Western New Year Holiday (December 31st)
Thailand is known to celebrate the New Year three times over. They
celebrate the Western New Year on January 1st, the Chinese New Year, and the
traditional Thai New Year. Their Western New Year celebrations involve many of the
staples of the holiday that we are familiar with.
On the night of December 31st, there are various countdown events
hosted across the country. Festivities include traditional Thai dance performances,
modern pop concerts, and the New Year’s classic, fireworks. The holiday also
includes the release of ‘sky lanterns’ which are paper lanterns that fly with candles.

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Exercise 5
1. What is birth tradition Thailand? Explain in short.
2. What is a tonsure tradition in Thailand? Please explain in short.
3. What is holiday in Thailand, give three examples of holidays?

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Reference

Patit Paban Mishra (2010). The History of Thailand. Greenwood History of Modern
Nations Series.

Taylor, J. L. (1993). Forest Monks and the Nation-state: An Anthropological and
Historical Study in Northeastern Thailand. Singapore: Institute of
Southeast Asian Studies.

Experience Thai traditions and cultural values in Thailand’s annual events and
festivals. Online: https://www.tatnews.org/2019/01/experience-thai-traditions-and-
cultural-values-in-thailands-annual-events-and-festivals/
Tradition Thai Customs and Beliefs Pregnancy, Birth and the early days of the
Newborn. Online: https://www.huahintoday.com/thailand-news/tradition-thai-
customs-beliefs-pregnancy-birth-early-days-newborn/
Thai Culture. Online: https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/thai-culture/thai-culture-
family#thai-culture-family
Thai Wedding Ceremony. Online: https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand/thai-
wedding-ceremony

Chapter 6
Religion in Thailand

Thailand's culture incorporates a great many influences as would be
expected from its constantly changing government and kingdoms throughout the
centuries. Religious influences have been mainly comprised of animism, Hinduism,
Buddhism. Thailand’s population is nearly 94% Theravada Buddhist. The next closest
minority religions are Muslim (about 5%) and Christian (about 1%).

Buddhism
Buddhism in Thailand has also become integrated with folk religion, or

practices and superstitions that Thais have added to the original doctrine. For
example, it is strongly influenced by traditions regarding ancestral and natural spirits.
Thai families often build a small house to hold these spirits. As you travel throughout
Thailand, you will see these located directly outside a home’s main entrance. Food
and drink offerings are left in the spirit houses on a regular basis to keep them
content. It is believed if they are not kept happy, then the household will experience
chaos.

Buddhism in Thailand is also influenced by Chinese religions and influence
due to the large Thai-Chinese population. Some Chinese have "converted" to Thai-
style Theravada Buddhism. However, many still maintain separate temples of the
East Asian Mahayana tradition.

Temples, or wats, are a definitive part of any trip to Thailand. The white
structures with tall, golden stupas are literally everywhere you go in this country! As
you approach the temples, you are sure to smell the fragrance of incense, exchange
smiles with a golden-robed monk, and appreciate the detailed architectural design.
Choosing a just few temples to visit is a great idea as it can get exhausting if you try
to see too many of them during your trip.

Upon entering a temple, there is an immediate sense of calm and
reverence that should be respected. Visitors should always dress appropriately –
both men and women should not wear tank tops or shorts that do not cover their
knees. Shoes should be removed before entering, as well. You should stay out of
the way of worshipers, back away from the Buddha rather than turning your back,
and never point your feet at a Buddha statue. All visitors should avoid touching
objects in the temple, and women should never touch a monk. Even accidentally

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brushing against a monk’s robe requires him to go through a lengthy “cleansing”
ceremony.

Admission is not required, but travelers can definitely choose to help
support the monks with a monetary donation if you so choose. Donation boxes are
typically outside of the temple door. Consider that visiting a temple is free, but it is
truly a unique experience that gives you a glimpse of Thai culture, tradition, and
history.

Christ
According to the Library of Congress: “Defining Thai minority religions was

as complex as defining Thai ethnic minorities. This problem was further compounded
by the number of Thai whose Buddhism was a combination of differing beliefs. In the
1980s, the religious affiliation of the Chinese minority was particularly difficult to
identify. Some adopted the Theravada beliefs of the Thai, and many participated in
the activities of the local wat. Most Chinese, however, consciously retained the
mixture of Confucian social ethics, formal veneration of ancestors, Mahayana
Buddhist doctrine, and Taoist supernaturalism that was characteristic of the popular
religious tradition in China. To the Chinese community as a whole, neither organized
religion nor theological speculation had strong appeal. There were some Chinese
members of the sangha, and most large Chinese temples had active lay associations
attached to them. It was estimated in the 1980s that there were about twenty-one
Chinese monasteries and thirteen major Vietnamese monasteries in Thailand. Other
religions represented in Thailand included Hinduism and Sikhism, both associated
with small ethnic groups of Indian origin. Most of the Hindus and Sikhs lived in
Bangkok.

Christianity has become steadily more popular, and over a century of work
by the missionaries can be seen in many schools which offer good education to Thai
children without seeking to convert them. Catholics make up 0.5 percent of the
population. Most are Vietnamese immigrants, Chinese or members of hill tribes or
other ethnic minorities. Many Protestants are members of ethnic minorities such as
the Karen and Shan that have been targeted by Evangelical missionaries.

During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, Portuguese and Spanish
Dominicans and other missionaries introduced Christianity to Siam. Christian missions
have had only modest success in winning converts among the Thai, and the Christian
community, estimated at 260,000 in the 1980s, was proportionately the smallest in

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any Asian country. The missions played an important role, however, as agents for the
transmission of Western ideas to the Thai. Missionaries opened hospitals, introduced
Western medical knowledge, and sponsored some excellent private elementary and
secondary schools. Many of the Thai urban elite who planned to have their children
complete their studies in European or North American universities sent them first to
the mission-sponsored schools.

A high percentage of the Christian community was Chinese, although there
were several Lao and Vietnamese Roman Catholic communities, the latter in
southeastern Thailand. About half the total Christian population lived in the Center.
The remainder was located in almost equal numbers in the North and Northeast.
More than half the total Christian community in Thailand was Roman Catholic. Some
of the Protestant groups had banded together in the mid-1930s to form the Church
of Christ in Thailand, and nearly half of the more than 300 Protestant congregations
in the country were part of that association.

Islam
There are 6.3 million Muslims in Thailand (about 10 percent of the

population). About half of all Thai Muslims live in the southern Thai provinces of
Narathiwat, Yala, Satun and Pattani and some districts of Songkhla. Ninety-nine
percent of these Sunnis and one percent is Shi’ite.

Although the majority of Thailand’s Muslims are ethnically Malay, the
Muslim community also includes the Thai Muslims in rural areas of central Thailand ,
who are either hereditary Muslims, Muslims by intermarriage, or recent converts;
Cham Muslims originally from Cambodia; West Asians, including both Sunni and Shias;
South Asians, including Tamils, Punjabis and Bengalis; Pakistani immigrants in the
urban centers; Indonesians, especially Javanese and Minangkabau; Thai-Malay or
people of Malay ethnicity who have accepted many aspects of Thai language and
culture, except Buddhism, and have intermarried with Thais; and Chinese Muslims,
who were mostly Haw living in the North. Education and maintenance of their own
cultural traditions is often seen as of vital interests to these groups.

Islam is the second largest faith in Thailand after Buddhism. Except in the
small circle of theologically trained believers, the Islamic faith in Thailand, like
Buddhism, had become integrated with many beliefs and practices not integral to
Islam. It would be difficult to draw a line between animistic practices indigenous to
Malay culture that were used to drive off evil spirits and local Islamic ceremonies
because each contained aspects of the other.

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According to statistics compiled by the Internal Security Affairs Bureau,
Department of Provincial Administration, there were 3,610 mosques registered in
Thailand in 2008: 1) 42 mosques in the North (13 provinces); 2) 486 mosques in the
central region (24 provinces); 3) 24 mosques in the Northeast (15 provinces); 4) 3,058
mosques in the South (14 provinces). The central mosque of Yala province is the
largest in Thailand, while the one in Pattani is considered the most magnificent in the
country. The wooden Wadi al-Hussain Mosque, built in 1624 in Narathiwat, is one of
the oldest Islamic structures in Thailand.

In the mid-1980s, the country had more than 2,000 mosques in 38 Thai
provinces, with the largest number (434) in Narathiwat Province. All but a very small
number of the mosques were associated with the Sunni branch of Islam; the
remainder were of the Shia branch. Each mosque had an imam (prayer leader), a
muezzin (who issued the call to prayer), and perhaps other functionaries.

The National Council for Muslims, consisting of at least five persons (all
Muslims) and appointed by royal proclamation, advises the ministries of education
and interior on Islamic matters. Its presiding officer, the state counselor for Muslim
affairs, is appointed by the king and holds the office of division chief in the
Department of Religious Affairs in the Ministry of Education. Provincial councils for
Muslim affairs exist in the provinces that have substantial Muslim minorities. There
are other links between the government and the Muslim community, including
government financial assistance to Islamic education institutions, assistance with
construction of some of the larger mosques, and the funding of pilgrimages by Thai
Muslims to Mecca. Thailand also maintains several hundred Islamic schools at the
primary and secondary levels.

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Exercise 6

After studied the lesson, please answer the questions below:
1. How would you sum up Buddhism in one sentence?
2. What is the essence of Christ in one sentence?
3. What is the essence of Islam in one sentence?

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Reference

Thai Religion. Online: https://www.adventure-life.com/thailand/articles/thai-religion
Buddhism and Religions in Thailand. Online: https://factsanddetails.com/southeast-
asia/Thailand/sub5_8b/entry-3212.html#chapter-2
Religion in Thailand. Online: https://www.frommers.com/destinations/thailand/in-
depth/religion
2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Thailand. Online:
https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-
freedom/thailand/

Chapter 7
Thai Tourism

Historical Sites in Thailand

With lush hilly forests, seemingly untouched beaches and fertile rice fields,
Thailand – once known as Siam – offers a rich landscape full of even richer historic
sites to discover. Thailand’s long history includes the early period of the Mon Khmer
who first adopted Buddhism, the 400-year-long kingdom of Ayutthaya and the reign
of the great Taksin.

This legacy has left behind a host of top historic sites to visit. Among the
best are the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, the Grand Palace in Bangkok and
Phanom Rum. There are many worth exploring Historical sites in Thailand, especially
the historical parks that are also significant ancient sites throughout Thailand which

can be compiled to 5 historical parks as follow:

1. Sukhothai Historical Park
Sukhothai Historical Park: an area of the Historical Park which was the
ruling centre of the Sukhothai Kingdom 6-7 hundred years ago, covering more than
70 square kilometres. The major city is in the Sukhothai city wall which is about 2
kilometres long and 1.6 kilometres wide. There are about 70 important monuments
that still occur traces of royal Palaces and Temples. The largest temple is Wat
Mahathat where more than 200 pagodas are located.
2. Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park
Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park: Kamphaeng Phet is a province nearby
Sukhothai where many ancient sites in the same era are located as a part of
Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park. In that era, Kamphaeng Phet was a major outpost
city of the Sukhothai Kingdom. The historical park covers both inside and outside the
city walls. There are a total of 20 Archaeological sites in the city wall, such as Wat
Phra Kaew, Wat Phra That, the ancient Temple or holy water pond, Shiva shrine, and
Wat Klang nakhon, etc. Each one fully reveals city planning in the past.
3. Phimai Historical Park, Nakhon Ratchasima
Phimai Historical Park, nakhon Ratchasima: Move to the northeast, one of
the most popular historical parks in this area is Phimai Historical Park which is about
60 kilometres from Nakhon Ratchasima city centre. In the past, this area is the
location of Phimai City under the reign of King Suryavarman I where he established

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Phimai Sanctuary by Khmer art style surrounded by walls and ditches during the 16th
Buddhist century or 1,000 years ago.

4. Phanom Rung Historical Park, Buriram
Phanom Rung Historical Park, Buriram: it is another significant historical
symbol in Isan (northeastern Thailand). Phanom Rung Historical Park in Buriram is
about 77 kilometres south of Buriram’s city centre. Phanom Rung is located on an
inactive volcano in the past. There have been several constructions in the past since
the 15th-18th Buddhist century approximately. It is one of Thailand’s most well-
known ancient sites influenced by Khmer Culture. The highlight is on 2-4 April and 8-
10 September every year, when the sun rises and shines through all the 15 gates of
the castle creating a stunning combination of buildings and nature.
5. Ayutthaya Historical Park
Ayutthaya Historical Park: Returning to the central region, there is
Ayutthaya Historical Park located on the Island of Ayutthaya. In the past, it was the
location of the 400 years old, the Ayutthaya Kingdom. The park consists of 425
Archaeological sites, starting from the royal Palace to various large and small ancient
Temples with an area of more than 1,810 rai (2,896,000 square meters), so visitors
can explore all day long.

Natural Attractions in Thailand

Thailand is one of the most visited countries in Southeast Asia by tourists
from all over the world. From its tropical beaches and rich culture, there’s no doubt
you’ll enjoy a vacation spent in this beautiful country. Thailand is also a favorite
destination for budget travelers. This is because Thailand offers a host of incredible
natural wonders and beautiful places to see and experience without the high price
tag.

Known for its natural beauty, Thailand is characterized by tropical beaches
and lush jungle landscapes. The nation is rife with nature and you’ll be spoilt for
choice when it comes to picking out a selection of natural attractions to visit during a
tour of the country. As the following:

1. Khao Yai National Park
Located in the north-east of the country, Khao Yai National Park is one of
Thailand’s most popular attractions and also its oldest world heritage site. Spanning
four provinces, the park comprises five different vegetation zones, including

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evergreen forests and savannah. Waterfalls and natural springs dot the landscape
and all sorts of animals roam the park.

Among the mammals to call the park home are hundreds of elephants,
tigers, deer, otters and bears – there are also more than 300 species of bird to spot,
including the great hornbill. There are bat caves to explore, as well as cultural
buildings like temples, and it’s possible to take a dip in the natural springs to cool
off on a hot day.

2. Ti Lor Su Waterfall
Head to the western part of Thailand’s central plains for a truly astounding
sight: Ti Lor Su waterfall is reputedly the biggest cascade of water in the nation.
Located on the Mae Klong River, the waterfall measures approximately 250m tall
and around 450m wide. Surrounded by forest, the Ti Lor Su waterfall is especially
impressive during the wet season and it’s possible to view the natural phenomenon
from its full height by walking to the top of the fall. The waterfall is located in the
grounds of the nearby is the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary - a UNESCO World Heritage
Site.

3. Ko Tarutao Marine National Park
Thailand has hundreds of islands, some more populated than others, but if
it’s natural beauty you’re after you won’t want to miss visiting the islands that form
Ko Tarutao Marine National Park. Comprising more than 50 islands in total, Ko
Tarutao Marine National Park is an example of unspoilt Thailand at its finest. On land,
visitors can admire lush rainforest and gleaming beaches, while below the surface lie
coral reefs teeming with wildlife. The park is home to fishing cats, wild pigs,
kingfishers, hornbills and sea otters, making it a fantastic place for a bit of nature-
spotting.
It’s not possible to visit all the islands in a single day but it’s worth
exploring Ko Tarutao, the largest island in the group. On the western shores, it’s also
possible to see turtles laying their eggs.

4. Ko Hong Island
For a truly breath-taking sight during a break in Thailand, head to Ko Hong
Island - which is, in fact, a large limestone rock surrounded by water. A boat ride
from Ao Nang takes visitors to the craggy rock, which boasts white-sand bays and a
stunning green pool in its center. The spectacular lagoon can be accessed through a

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passage that runs through the cliffs – keep a lookout for lizards, sea eagles and
white-faced gibbons as you make your way to the pool. Around the coast of the
island are snorkeling spots and you might decide to hire kayaks for a truly
memorable experience.

5. Phu Pha Lom Forest Park
Not far from Loei is the lush setting of Phu Pha Lom Forest Park – an 800-
acre wilderness of mountains and jungle foliage. There are trails to follow through
the forest to admire the natural beauty of the setting, and signs lead visitors to a
series of caves that can be explored - many local people believe the caves feature
in myth and legend as the den of the mythical serpent Naga. Throughout the forest
park it’s possible to admire stunning views but also keep your eyes open for some of
the wildlife that resides here – among the animals and birds to be spotted are
mongoose, bats, macaques, drongos, monitors and doves.

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Exercise 7

1. In which tourist attractions in Thailand, where is the Phimai Historical
Park located? And why do you know where it is.

2. Where would you find Phanom Rung Historical Park?
3. Ko Tarutao Marine National Park is a famous landmark you will find in
which province? Would you like to go to there, why? Please share your idea.

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Reference

Limited, Bangkok Post Public Company. "Thailand no longer top overseas destination
for Chinese tourists". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
5 Inspiring Historical Sites To Visit In Thailand. Online:
https://www.tourismthailand.org/Articles/5-inspiring-historical-sites-to-visit-in-thailand
The 10 Best Historic Sites in Thailand. Online:
https://www.historyhit.com/guides/historic-sites-in-thailand/
Thailand’s Natural Attractions. Online:
https://www.transindus.co.uk/inspiration/blog/thailand-s-natural-attractions/

Chapter 8
Thai local Products

Local products are unique to a specific area, which means that they are
often rare to find anywhere else. In Thailand, you will find fruits, vegetables,
household items, crafts, pottery and even designer items that are particular to one
area. People, who create these products, do so with passion. Obviously they also
need to make a living but for them profits margins are not important. They aren’t
distracted from it so they focus on quality and really put the hard work into it.

Locally-made products, whether in Thailand or anyone else typically
means they are creating with eco-friendly materials. Mass-production often means
that chemicals are being used in massive factories, which can really harm the
environment. When you buy local stuff, the money stays in the community. This
boosts local economy whereas if you were to spend in internationally-owned or
private-owned companies, it boosts exports/imports and more money goes into
private pockets.

Different regions are noted for specific types of products. Highlights of
products from different regions in Thailand include:

Northern Thailand
1. Northern Clothes
The bazaars are famous for carrying bootleg or knock-off designer clothes

at bargain prices, but if you want something of better quality, look for the vendors of
authentic Northern Thai clothing. For something traditional, you can wear the famous
moh hom top, which comes in the form of a short-sleeved shirt for men or a long-
sleeved blouse for women. This is accompanied by the sador, a pair of pants that
stop just above the ankles for men, or the pha zin, a traditional long skirt for women.
To blend in with a more modern style, try a sarong.

2. Essential Oils
Essential oils are highly concentrated liquids made by extracting either the
fragrance or healthful compounds from plants. You can buy the essential oils of
plants like lavender, peppermint, and lemon balm just about anywhere, but if you’re
looking for something special and regional, start with the local coconut oil. The two
main uses of coconut oil are for skin beautification and cooking, and if you’re going
to be using it for the latter, make sure that it is of an appropriate grade for

125

consumption. Just be careful to buy from a reputable vendor, as knockoff oils are
common.

3. Meditation Bowl
The ‘singing bowl’ is Tibetan in origin, but it has become extremely
popular at the night markets. Users of the bowls ring them with various objects to
produce a tone that aids in meditation. The bowls used at temples are often very
large, but the ones sold at market for personal use are usually five to 15 cm in
diameter. The bowls designed for Buddhist practice contain a special mix of metals
that are considered important to the faith. These bowls are able to produce a range
of different tones depending on where they are struck, how hard they are struck, and
with what type of instrument.
4. Triangle Cushions
Old mural paintings found throughout Northern Thailand indicate that
triangle pillows were made at least as early as 1850. They seem to have been used
widely in temples, where even the gods were seen reclining against them. These
pillows are essentially a stack of triangular strips arranged in a pyramid shape and are
usually combined with a traditional mat for sleeping or relaxing. The pillows you will
see at market are authentic, as there are no mass producers of them in the region at
present. They are instead produced by local farmers during the winter months when
agricultural activity is low.
5. Rice Boxes
As the name indicates, the rice box is traditionally used to store rice.
However, the colorful and intricate hand-painted designs make them popular with
visitors as a souvenir for storing just about anything, or even as a decorative piece.
Authentic Thai rice boxes are made by hand from bamboo. Just keep in mind that if
you’re actually storing rice with them, they’re meant only for storing uncooked rice
— putting hot rice in them can destroy them!
6. Silk
Thailand is home to a unique type of silkworm that farmers raise on a diet
of mulberry leaves. The silk produced ranges in color from gold to light green. Thai
silk is usually costly, as each individual thread is too thin to be usable, and multiple
threads have to be combined by hand to make a strong fiber. A way to tell if it is
authentic is to hold it up to a strong light source and look at it from different angles,
which should cause the silk to appear to shift colors. Real Thai silk can also be
pulled smoothly and easily through a ring on a finger.

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Northeastern Thailand or I-San
It is a tradition in the Northeast for villagers to make two sets of clothes -

everyday work clothes and high quality silk items created with outstanding skill for
special occasions like weddings and festivals. These latter items are being selected as
OTOP products. Silk and cotton fabrics, especially tie-dyed mudmee designs. The
most famous are Lai Khid and Phrae Wa silks. Other items include reed mats, baskets
woven from water hyacinth and triangular pillows.

Central Thailand
Traditional handicrafts of bamboo and bai lan, great earthen pots, Dan

Kwian and Koh Kred pottery and terra cotta items.

Eastern Thailand
Famed for its fruits, fresh and processed, as well as bamboo and rattan

baskets, reed mats and mudmee fabrics.

Southern Thailand
Batik fabrics, woven products from lipao, bulrush and panan pandanus,

mother-of-pearl inlays and carved wood products.

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Exercise 8

1. What is local product in Thailand?
2. What is the difference of local products in northern and northeastern?
3. What is the famous products in Northern Thailand?
4. What is the famous products in Central Thailand?
5. What is the famous products in Northeastern Thailand?

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Reference

Why you should buy local-made products. Online: https://www.doseoflife.com/buy-
local-made-thai-products/
The best things to buy in Thailand. Online: https://www.thekohsamuiguide.com/best-
things-to-buy-thailand/
What is OTOP? Online: https://www.thaiembassy.sg/friends-of-thailand/p/what-is-otop
OTOP online www.thaitambon.com

Chapter 9
Conclusion

English is the second most widely used language in the world after
Chinese, but it far outranks the latter as an international language. Knowing how to
communicate in English is essential for just about anyone seeking to succeed in
countless fields from business to academia.

Research shows that English is the official language of 53 countries and is
spoken as a first language by approximately 400 million people. Another 1 billion
also use English on a regular basis. The British Council estimates that by 2020, 2
billion people in the world will be studying the English language, eliminating
communication barriers between global citizens, making it easier for information to
flow.

English is the language of diplomacy, science, aviation, computers and
tourism. Knowing it increases your chances of getting a job in a multinational
company at home or abroad, as it is internationally acknowledged as the dominant
business language in the global workforce. Companies such as Samsung, Airbus, Nokia
and Microsoft in Beijing have made English their official corporate language.

Learning English also gives you greater access to a wealth of entertainment
and better cultural understanding. A report by Education First states that English is
the main language of the internet, with 52% of the world's most viewed websites in
English, giving individuals and businesses access to all sorts of information.

Ever since the economic crisis in the late 1990s, most Thai business
organizations have gone through significant changes. New working structures and
practices have been adopted in order to help them compete more effectively in the
rapidly changing global market environment. Collaborations and mergers with outside
entities have created further demand for restructuring.

Collaborations, mergers and alliances also bring new perspectives and
influence the way English is used as a medium for communication. In Thailand,
English is used as a foreign language but plays an important role in businesses that
aspire to perform better in a global context, and for their employees who seek
professional advancement.

The case for learning English in our globalized, connected world is
becoming stronger, yet Thailand still trails its Southeast Asian peers such as
Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia when it comes to learning and using English.

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Thailand relies heavily on tourism as one of its primary sources of revenue,
but low English proficiency has led to negative perceptions, as tourists prefer
destinations where they can communicate more comfortably.

According to the latest EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI), Thailand fell
10 spots in the global rankings of non-native English-speaking countries. It currently
languishes in the Very Low Proficiency group with a ranking of 74th out of 100
countries. (In 2018, it was ranked 64th out of 88 countries.)

The ability to speak English is essential if the country's economy is to grow
and our people are to learn, work and succeed in an ever more internationalized
setting, interacting with people from around the region and the world. However,
conventional language instruction in Thailand focuses mainly on teaching grammar
and vocabulary, which requires rote memorization. It's a system that demotivates
many learners and has left most Thai students and workers unable to effectively
converse in English.

English is one of the world's universal languages and is widely used by the
world's population to communicate in the age of globalization. If you look back
about 30-50 years ago, Thai people would say the same thing, why do we learn
English? The past is no longer because the media All of them have English language
along with Thai language. Even the speech of scholars at lectures or conversations
often contains English words mixed with Thai words. Vendors selling curry rice at
stalls must have knowledge of English or other necessary languages such as Chinese,
German, Japanese, etc. It may conclude that the reason why Thai people have to
learn English is because

(1) The advances in modern science and technology that flow from Europe
into Thai society endlessly.

(2) English is the most widely learned international language.
(3) The international trade dealings have become more extensive, thus
allowing more foreigners to travel to Thailand for successful trading. Thai people
must have knowledge of English at the level of communication.
(4) Currently, Thailand is developing itself into an industrialized country,
requiring personnel with proficiency in English or other languages.
(5) If Thai people do not think to strive for knowledge of English and other
languages It is like shutting yourself down and not keeping up with the world's news.
(6) If Thai people know foreign languages widely and are at the stage of
being able to use them seriously as soon as modern science emerges in the world

131

No matter how much progress Thai people can learn to keep up with the world
events and modern technology suddenly.

(7) Linguistic psychologists have concluded that people who know more
than one language are more likely to develop a language-related brain than those
who know only one language, and, of course, what we have seen is that people who
are proficient in multiple languages have an opportunity to earn money. Faster and
more proficient in one language is their mother tongue.

For the above reasons Therefore, it can be concluded that English is
important to Thai society in each aspect as follows.

1. The aspect of life: the work of human beings in each society, or simply
put. that when people wake up each day and live with other people, it is necessary
to communicate talk to many societies, but if a Thai person speaks Thai, if a foreigner
must speak the language of that person or English, which is now considered an
international language (Universal Language) because English is a language that is
more prevalent than all languages in the world. Therefore, if we have knowledge of
English, we can communicate with that person right away.

2. Socio-Economic: The coexistence of two or more people and the
preliminary agreement on common practices leads to social peace when we are in
society. There must be communication with people in different societies and
societies. If we have knowledge of English, it will make us earn more income than
others who only know one language, at least it is our pride first and contact with
other agencies. and in terms of trading business.

3. Academic: the study and pursuit of knowledge about various subjects or
sciences that exist in the world such as Sciences, Mathematics, English, Thai
Language, Sociology and History, etc. These bodies of knowledge are all in the
system of research documents, textbooks, Internet books or in a second language
that is not Thai. Therefore, it can be seen that the pursuit of knowledge in this era
must consist of knowledge of the language, especially English, which is very
important and necessary for the education of Thai people.

In conclusion, customized content allows users to learn lessons that are
aligned with their business and personal objectives and technology may well be the
catalyst that Thailand needs to improve English speaking proficiency, so that Thais
can learn, work and reach their full potential in a more interconnected world.

132

Exercise 9

1. What is characteristic of language?
2. What is characteristic of culture?
3. What is the importance of language?
4. What is the importance of culture?
5. What is the relationship of language and culture?

133

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The Access Center. (2000). Using mnemonic instruction to facilitate access to the
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134

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136

Biography

Name - Surname : Nikorn Polyiam
Place of Birth : Baan Khamkhae, Wang Sub-district, Phonthong District,
Roi-Et Province
Office : 281 M.13 Buriram-Prakhonchai road, Samet Sub-District,
Muang District, Buriram Province 31000
Education
A.D. 2013 : Bachelor of Arts B.A.) English
A.D. 2016 : Master of Arts (M.A.) English
Occupation : 2017 – Present lecturer of MCU. Buriram Buddhist College
Work Experience
A.D. 2016 : Visiting Faculty
Faculty of Humanities, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya
Academic Works University, Wangnoi District, Phranakhorn Sri Ayutthaya
A.D. 2018
: Research on The development of English communication of
Address tourist attractive community in Buriram province
: Academic Articles on
1. Practice English Reading Skills through Subtitles
2. Effect on Social Media: Its Impacts on Thai Education
: 276 Moo 6 Waeng Sub-district, Phonthong District, Roi-Et
Province
Tel. 091-4086858
Email: [email protected]