CULTURE AND
TRADITIONS IN
z
THAILAND
THAILAND
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Whlist “land” is easy to understand, the “Thai”
part takes a little more explains. Not only does it
mean “free”, Tai is also an ethnic group in the
country, giving the word Thailand a double
meaning of both “Land of the Free” and “Land
of the Thai People”.
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FAMOUS
DRAMA IN
THAILAND
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FESTIVALS IN
THAILAND
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PHI TAz KHON(GHOST
FESTIVAL)
Also known as the ghost festival,this
is one of the most interesting
Thailand traditional festivals. Phi Ta
Khon it is cebrated for three days
with thousands of local wearing
colorful, ghastly mask with stretched
faces and phallic noses, painted in
bright, and gaudy colors. The ghost
festivals origin is a mixture of
buddhist and animist beliefs.
SONGKRAN
z FESTIVAL
(WATER FESTIVAL)
The Songkran Festival is perhaps one of
the most fun festivals in the country, and
possibly in the world this long and large
festival involves a 3-day water fight in
which people participate across the
country. With drinking, music, dancing,
and people drenched from head to toe,
people use buckets, hose pipes, water
guns, and anything else that they can get
their hands on to use to splash water on
others.
CHINESE
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NEW YEAR
One of the most exhilarating Thailand
celebrations can be witnessed in
Yaowaraj – the official China of
Bangkok. This area’s narrow, bustling
alleys are always a fun and exciting
place to explore. Every nook and cranny
of the street as well as surrounding
alleys, comes to life with dragon and
lion dancers, exploding firecrackers,
iconic red Chinese lanterns, crowds of
worshippers as well as locals who gather
to participate in the fanfare and enjoy
mouth-watering Chinese banquets.
Lopburi
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Monkey Banquet (Food
Festival)
This is a Thailand food festival with a
difference. Located at a distance of 150 kms
in the north of Bangkok, this festival takes
place in lopburi. It is famous for the many
monkeys that reside there, and one of the
most popular activities for tourists when they
visit Lopburi is feeding the simians. A huge
banquet is laid out for about 3,000 monkeys
that live in this part of Thailand, giving them
a day to feast on 4 tons pf fruits, vegetables
and an array of the other treats. This is one of
the most interesting Thailand festivals.
YI PENG
z (THE LANTERN
FESTIVAL)
Chiang Mai’s Lantern Festival is one of the
most amazing sights you will ever see.
People gather down by the banks of the
Peng River and release thousands of paper
lanterns into the sky and watch them float
away in the gentle evening breeze.
Although it is a more of a tradition than a
festival, it is definitely a fantastic photo op
for capturing some beautiful memories. You
can also witness religious ceremonies,
firework displays, parades, and the
releasing of paper boats in the river.
TOURITS
SPOTS
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THEz GRAND PALACE BANGKOK
Even if your plans for Thailand
mainly involve frolicking on a
beach and eating as much
Massaman curry and pad thai as
humanly possible, you’ll probably
spend at least a day or two in
Bangkok. In fact, I encourage it as
it is one of the most fascinating
and exciting capital cities in the
world.
SUNDAY
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WALKING STREET,
CHIANG MAI
Every Thailand visitor looks
forward to cheap and delicious food,
and that’s exactly what they can find
in abundance at Chiang Mai’s
Sunday Night Walking Street.
Vendors sell all kinds of treats here,
from the popular pad Thai and
chicken satay to samosas, to fried
bananas, sweet roti, and fresh fruit
shakes.
WILD
z ELEPHANTS AT KHAO YAI
NATIONAL PARK
Elephants are revered in Thailand,
and statues and paintings of them
can be seen everywhere you go,
including the royal palaces and
many temples. For the uitimate
experience, however, nothing beats
the chance to see elephants in their
natural environment, and Khao Yai
National park provides a great
opportunity to do just that.
SUKHOTHAI OLD CITY
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A favorite stop for history buffs and
photography enthusiasts, Sukhothai
offers many lovely photo ops at a
smaller scale than Ayuttaya. The ruins
of this old city still stand proud despite
enduring centuries of battle and
exposure to the elements. Sukhothai’s
Old City is a UNESCO word heritage
site, and much has been invested to
restore and preserve one of Thailand’s
most significant historical sites.
Historic City of Ayutthaya
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Ayyuthaya offers a magnificent peek into
the glory of ancient Thailand, where visitors
can wonder the haunting but romantic ruins
of the former capital. Ayyuthaya was once
the most important city in Thailand, and the
old palaces and temples stand as a testament
to this. Over a hundred wats, chedis (Thai-
style stupas), prangs, and thousands of
Buddha statues are spread around the park.
FAMOUS
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FOOD IN
THAILAND
PAD THAI (STIR-
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FRIED NOODLES)
Thailand’s noodle dishes were introduced by
Chinese immigrants and arguably. Pad Thai
ranks as the most celebrated all. This signature
dish is a great go-to introduction to Thai food
as it’s not too spicy. Similar to many dishes,
Pad Thai varies regionally, but is classic
ingredients of flat rice noodles, seafood
(alternatively, chicken, pork, or tofu), dried
shrimp, tamarind, fish sauce, bean sprouts,
shallots and egg, all stir-fried in a hot wok,
plated-up and sprinkled with roasted peanuts,
fresh herbs and chillis (optional).
Tom Yum Goong (Hot
z
& Sour Shrimp Soup)
One of Thailand’s most iconic dishes, this
popular soup is a spicy, sour and aromatic
tastebud extravaganza Halling from the
central region, the unique flavors of this
piquant clear soup derives from the marriage
of fragant lemongrass, shallots, fish sauce,
galangal, mushrooms, kaffir lime leaves, lime
juice and red chill peppers. Although shrimp
(Goong) is most commonly used-regarded as
the most delicious version- other variations
cover chicken, fish or mixed seafood.
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Kaeng Lueang (Yellow Curry)
Yellow curry has a strong
southern Thai influence, with a
rich texture and characteristic
hue derived from generous use
of tumeric. This is pounded
together with classic aromatic
ingredients which usually cover
coriander, cumin, shallots,
lemongrass and galangal.
Gaeng Daeng (Red Curry)
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One of Thailand’s most common curry
varieties, red curries are a happy
medium: generally spicier than yellow
curries but less so than the green
varieties. The distinctive red color of
this rich, sweet and aromatic curry
comes from crushed red chilies in the
curry paste (a base of garlic, shallots,
blue ginger and lemongrass), which is
added to coconut milk, vegetables, such
as eggplant mushrooms, or tomatoes and
chicken breast slices.
GAENG
z KEOW WAN
GAI (GREEN CURRY)
Originating from Central Thailand,
green curry is the spiciest of the Thai
‘holy trilogy’ and arguably, most
familiar world-wide. This hugely
popular dish is centeres on fragrant
green chills- introduced to Thailand
by Portuguese missionaries in the
16th century- giving the dish its
distinctive green hue and fiery taste.
KHAO PAD (THAI FRIED RICE)
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This Thai fried rice dish is a classic, go to
favorite for locals, served anytime, but especially
for lunch. Khao pad is made with either chicken,
pork, beef, seafood or tofu, together with eggs,
onions, garlic, fish sauce, fresh herbs and
tomatoes or other vegetables these ingredients
are all stir-fried with fragrant jasmine rice until
blended well together, served with cucumber
slices, lime wedges and others condiments. As
this relatively simple dish can be made to order,
you’re in control of the heat factor and
additional flavors – ideal for fussy eaters or
those looking for spice relief. The pineapple and
shrimp variation, khao pad sapparod, makes a
mouthwatering alternative.
KHAO
z NIAO MAMUANG
(MANGO STICKY RICE)
One of Thailand’s best-loved
traditional desserts, mango sticky rice
is a delicious way to round – off any
Thai meal. Served in the most
upscale restaurants or street food
stalls, this crowd pleaser is a simple
dish made with sticky rice doused in
coconut milk and slices of fresh
mango lashings of sweetened
condensed milk is optional!
TRADITIONAL
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DRESSES OF
THAILAND
CHUT THAI
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The traditional dress of Thailand,
Chut Thai, has come to know many
variations over the centuries. Its
literal meaning is “Thai Outfit”.
Typically bright, delicate and modest,
different ethnic groups of Thailand
use their fabrics and intricate
patterns. Many traditional dresses are
worn during various festivals,
wedding ceremonies, etc.
SUEAz PHRARATCHATHAN
For men, the traditional dress of Thailand is
called suea Phraratchathan (“royalty-
bestowed shirt”). It is a button-up shirt, with
an extended collar, long sleeves and a sash
for formal occasions. The Pakama, a large
rectangular piece of fabric, is often worn by
men by wrapping around the waist. The
shirt worn by men is very similar to the raj
pattern jacket, which itself takes inspiration
from the Nehru jacket.
RUEAN TON
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Ruean Ton is one of the most casual
and straightforward outfits out of all
the women’s dresses amongst
traditional dresses of Thailand. It
consists of a tube-like skirt worn with
a collarless blouse. The blouse has a
row of buttons at the front and elbow-
length sleeves and is tucked into the
skirt. The skirt may be plain or
embroidered with regional designs.
This outfit is usually worn during non-
official functions.
CHAKKRI
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One of the most famous and
commonly worn traditional dresses
of Thailand, Chakkri is considered
elegant and formal attire. It consists
of a long tube skirt with two front
pleats. Sabai, the upper body and
trails to the ground. A top made of
silk is further worn underneath the
Sabai. Women often accessorise it
with gold jewelry to make it look
grater.
SIWALAI z
Mainly worn during royal
functions and formal events,
Siwalai is a one place garment
made by stitching two pieces
together. It has a long tube skirt
with pleats at the front and a
button up blouse with elbow-
length sleeves sewn together. A
Sabai over the part completes the
look and gives it an elegant and
chic vibe.
CULTURE
z IN
THAILAND
INSECTS SNACK
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Silkworm, grasshoppers, giant water bugs,
and crickets are a few of the most popular
insects to snack on around Thailand. Yes, you
read that correctly. Snack on, not try eating for
a dare. As interesting as it might sound to
anyone unfamiliar with the tradition, insects,
worms, and bugs for snacks are the norm in
Thailand. The insects are freid and seasoned
typically with Thai pepper powderor the
famous Golden Mountain Sauce.
GOOD
z AND BAD ETIQUETTE
Don’t bad mouth royalty
Don’t underestimate the Buddha symbol
Don’t touch people’s heads
Do respect monks
Do return the ‘wai’ greetring
Do take your shoes off
Do cover up in temples
