Skip to main content

A Village in the Jungle: Culture and Communication in Thailand

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Culture and Communication in Thailand

Part of the book series: Communication, Culture and Change in Asia ((CCCA,volume 3))

Abstract

This article provides analytical components of Thai culture: worldviews, value systems, symbolic representation , and social organization. The Thai Buddhist worldview and beliefs will be discussed from a historical perspective. Power hidden in the hierarchical structure will be assessed in the realm of interpersonal and mass communication. Thai cultural products will be analyzed in relation to the Thai value system and symbolic representations. How Thais organize their social life will be illuminated by looking at the role and impact of ‘face ’ and ‘leadership’ in Thai society.

This is an updated and revised version of Chap. 8, published in Servaes (1999), Communication for Development. One World, Multiple Cultures, Cresskill NJ: Hampton Press, pp. 209–225.

The original version of the chapter was revised: Missing author name has been updated. The erratum to the chapter is available at 10.1007/978-981-10-4125-9_10

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Baker, C., & Phongpaichit, P. (2005). A history of Thailand. Melbourne: Cambridge Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bangkok Post. (2015). We no speak english. Language teaching and learning are in a parlous state in the Kingdom. What is to be done? In International Education 2015–2016. Special Publication. Bangkok Post, Bangkok.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barry, C. (Ed.). (2013). Rights to culture. Heritage, language, and community in Thailand. Chiang Mai: Silkworm.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brummelhuis, H. T., & Kemp, J. (Eds.). (1984). Strategies and structures in Thai society. Amsterdam: Antropologisch-Sociologisch Centrum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buddhadasa, B. (1986). Dhammic socialism. Bangkok: Thai Interreligious Commission for Development.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buripakdi, A. (2014). Hegemonic English, Standard Thai, and Narratives of the Subaltern in Thailand. In P. Liamputtong (Ed.), Contemporary socio-cultural and political perspectives in Thailand (pp. 95–109). Budoora, Australia: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buruma, I. (1989). God’s dust: A modern Asian journey. New York: Farrar, Straus, Giroux.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carrier, J. G. (1995). Occidentalism: Images of the West. Oxford: ClarendonPress.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chaloemtiarana, T. (1983). Kanmang, rabop phokhun uppatham bp phadetkan (Thailand, the politics of despotic paternalism). Bangkok: Thammasat University. (in Thai).

    Google Scholar 

  • Chamarik, S. (1993). Democracy and development. A cultural perspective. Bangkok: Local Development Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charoensin-O-Larn, C. (1988). Understanding postwar reformism in Thailand. Bangkok: Editions Duang Kamol.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conner, D. W. (1996). Personal power, authority, and influence: Cultural foundations for leadership formation in Northeast Thailand and implications for adult leadership training. PhD dissertation. Northern Illinois University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, J. (1993). Poles apart? Contextualising the gospel. Bangkok: Kanok Bannasan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Echachai S. (2015). Education ills only part of our problem. Bangkok Post, 2 December 2015 http://www.bangkokpost.com/print/782325/. Accessed December 4, 2015.

  • Girling, J. (1981). Thailand: Society and politics. New York: Cornell University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Girling, J. (1984). Hegemony and domination in Third World countries: A case study of Thailand. Alternatives, 10 (Winter).

    Google Scholar 

  • Harrison, R. (1994). Introduction: Sidaoru’ang and the radical tradition in contemporary Thai fiction. In SIDAORU’ANG, A drop of glass and other stories. Bangkok: Editions Duang Kamol.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harrison, R., & Jackson, P. (Eds.). (2010). The ambiguous allure of the West. Traces of the Colonial in Thailand. Hong Kong University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hattam, R. (2004). Awakening-struggle: Towards a buddhist critical social theory. Flaxton Qld: Post Pressed.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofstede, G. (1980). Culture’s consequences: International differences in work-related values. Beverly Hills: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofstede, G. (1991). Cultures and organizations. Software of the mind. Intercultural cooperation and its importance for survival. London: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofstede, G., & Hofstede, G. J. (2005). Cultures and organizations. Software of the mind. London: McGraw Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holmes, H., & Tangtongtavy, S. (1995). Working with the Thais. Bangkok: White Lotus.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeffrey, L. A. (2002). Sex and borders. Gender, national identity, and prostitution policy in Thailand. Chiang Mai: Silkworm Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kashima, Y., Foddy, M., & Platow, M. (Eds.). (2002). Self and identity. Personal, social and symbolic. Mahwah NJ: LEA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keyes, C. (1989). Thailand. Buddhist Kingdom as Modern Nation-State. Bangkok: Editions Duang Kamol.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klausner, W. (1983). Reflections on Thai culture. Bangkok: Siam Society.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klausner, W. (1997). Thai culture in transition. Bangkok: The Siam Society.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knutson, T., Datthuyawat, P., & Komolsevin, R. (2012). Teaching in Thailand. A practical guide for expat teachers and trainers. Wang Aksorn Press: Bangkok.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kobjitti, C. (1983). The judgement (Kham Phi Phaksa). Bangkok: DK Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Komin, S. (1988). Thai value system and its implication for development in Thailand. In D. Sinha & H. Kao (Eds.), Social values and development. Asian perspectives. Sage: New Delhi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Komolsevin, R., Knutson, T., Datthuyawat, P., & Tanchaisak, K. (2011). Thai and American. Communication behavior: A comparison of elephants and eagles. Bangkok: Wang Aksorn Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lefevre, A. S. (2014). New Thai PM uses holy water, feng shui to ward off occult. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-politics-blackmagic-idUSKBN0H327T20140908. Accessed 15 May, 2016.

  • Lertrattanavisut, P. (2004). Toxinomics. Bangkok: Open Books Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lertvicha, P. (1987). Political forces in Thailand. Asian Review, 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levi-Strauss, C. (1966). Anthropology: Its achievements and future. Current Anthropology, 7(2), 124–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malikhao, P. (2012). Sex in the village. Culture, religion and HIV/AIDS in Thailand. Penang-Chiang Mai: Southbound & Silkworm Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malikhao, P. (2014). Thai buddhism, the mass media and culture change in Thailand. Journal of the Asian Research Center for Religion and Social Communication, 12(2), 124–143.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCargo, D. (2000). Politics and the press in Thailand: Media machinations. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, W. (1988). Beyond the mask. Toward a transdisciplinary approach of selected social problems related to the evolution and context of international tourism in Thailand. Saarbrucken: Breitenbach Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mulder, N. (1985). Everyday life in Thailand. An interpretation. Bangkok: DK Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mulder, N. (1990). Inside Thai society. An interpretation of everyday life. Bangkok: DK Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mulder, N. (2000). Inside Thai society: Religion, everyday life, change. Chiang Mai: Silkworm Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, M. (Ed.). (2004). Thai politics: Global and local perspectives. Nonthaburi: King Prajadhipok’s Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Persons, L. S. (2008). The anatomy of Thai face. Journal of Humanities, 11, 53–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Persons, L. (2016). The way Thais lead. Face as social capital. Chiang Mai: Silkworm.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phongpaichit, P., & Priryarangsan, S. (1994). Corruption and democracy in Thailand. Bangkok: Faculty of Economics, Chulalongkorn University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phongphit, S. (1989). Development paradigm. Strategy, activities and reflection. Bangkok: Thai Institute for Rural Development.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prasertkul, S. (1989a). Samee Jiab lae Thai society (Samee Jiab and Thai society). Management Review, 24–30 (in Thai).

    Google Scholar 

  • Prasirtsuk, K. (2007). From political reform and economic crisis to Coup d’Etat: The twists and turns of thai political economy, 1997–2006. Bangkok: Thammasat University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Punyanubhah, S. (Ed.). (1981). Buddhism in Thai life. Bangkok: Samnakngan Kana Kammakan Raksa Ekalak Thai.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rajadhon, A. (1968). Essays on Thai folklore. Bangkok: DK Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rajadhon, A. (1987). Some traditions of the Thai. Bangkok: Sathirakoses Nagapradipa Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rajavaramuni, P. (1983). Social dimension of Buddhism in contemporary Thailand. Bangkok: Thai Khadi Suksa.

    Google Scholar 

  • Said, E. (1985). Orientalism. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scientist, A. (2015). Civil discourse and civil society: The dysfunctional culture of Thai academia. Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia (Issue 19), July 2015. http://kyotoreview.org/yav/dysfunctional-thai-academia/. Accessed April 20, 2016.

  • Servaes, J. (1999). Communication for development: One world, multiple cultures. Creskill, NJ: Hampton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Servaes, J., & Malikhao, P. (1989). How ‘culture’ affects films and video in Thailand. Media Development, 36, 4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Servaes, J., Malikhao, P., & Pinprayong, T. (2009). Communication rights are human rights. A case study of Thailand’s Media. In A. Dakroury, M. Eid & Y. Kamalipour (Eds.), The right to communicate: Historical hopes, global debates, and future premises (pp. 227–254). Dubuque: Kendall Hunt Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seypratub, S. (1995). Sue muan chon lae karn pattana prathet: Nen chao pao prathet Thai (Mass media and development: The case of Thailand). Bangkok: Chulalongkorn Publishing House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sivaraksa, S. (1981). A buddhist vision for renewing society. Bangkok: Thai Wattana Panich.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sivaraksa, S. (1988). A socially engaged buddhism. Bangkok: Thai Inter-Religious Commission for Development.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sivaraksa, S. (2009). The wisdom of sustainability. Buddhist economics for the 21st century. Chiang Mai: Silkworm Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srichampa, S. (2014). Thai amulets: Symbol of the practice of multi-faiths and cultures. In P. Liamputtong (Ed.), Contemporary socio-cultural and political perspectives in Thailand (pp. 49–64). Budoora, Australia: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srisootarapan, S. (1976). Chom Nar Sakdina Thai (The face of Thai Sakdina). Bangkok: Agsorn Sampan. (in Thai).

    Google Scholar 

  • Techawongtham, W. (2016). Deadly consequences of doing things the ‘Thai way’. Bangkok Post. 22 April 2016. http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/942797/deadly-consequences-of-doing-things-the-thai-way. Accessed April 22, 2016.

  • Terwiel, B. (1984). Formal structure and informal rules: An historical perspective on hierarchy, bondage and patron-client relationship. In H. T. Brummelhuis & J. Kemp (Eds.), Strategies and structures in Thai society. Amsterdam: Anthropologisch-Sociologisch Centrum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Terwiel, B. (2005). Thailand’s political history: From the fall of Ayuthaya in 1767 to recent times. Bangkok: River Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thipayathasana, N. P. (2013). The natural truth of Buddhism. Nakornratchasima: Arsharamata.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Beek, S. (Ed.). (1983). Kukrit Pramoj: His wit and wisdom, writings, speeches and interviews. Duang Kamon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Virulrak, S. (1975). Like, traditional folk media of central Thailand. Paper Seminar on Traditional Media, East-West Center, Honolulu, July–August.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wedel, Y., & Wedel, P. (1987). Radical thought, Thai mind: The development of revolutionary ideas in Thailand. Bangkok: Assumption Business Administration College.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Patchanee Malikhao .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Malikhao, P., Servaes, J. (2017). A Village in the Jungle: Culture and Communication in Thailand. In: Culture and Communication in Thailand. Communication, Culture and Change in Asia, vol 3. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-4125-9_4

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-4125-9_4

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-10-4123-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-10-4125-9

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics