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Johnh · 1st August 2008, 10:59

From Wikipedia

Culture (from the Latin cultura stemming from colere, meaning "to cultivate")[1] generally refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic structures that give such activities significance and importance. Cultures can be "understood as systems of symbols and meanings that even their creators contest, that lack fixed boundaries, that are constantly in flux, and that interact and compete with one another"[2]
Culture can be defined as all the ways of life including arts, beliefs and institutions of a population that are passed down from generation to generation. Culture has been called "the way of life for an entire society."[3] As such, it includes codes of manners, dress, language, religion, rituals, norms of behavior such as law and morality, and systems of belief as well as the art.
Cultural anthropologists most commonly use the term "culture" to refer to the universal human capacity and activities to classify, codify and communicate their experiences materially and symbolically. Scholars have long viewed this capacity as a defining feature of humans (although some primatologists have identified aspects of culture such as learned tool making and use among humankind's closest relatives in the animal kingdom).[4]

I recall reading that the Thai phrase for culture, 'wattanathum Thai' (sic), is a relatively new addition to the Thai lexicon. I think it was coined by Rama V, or one of his close advisors, after Rama V had visited Europe and become enamoured by many things Western, least of all the West's pride in history, art and liturature. Interestingly, Rama V also 'invented' the word 'sivilai', which means civilised. This was part of an attempt to show the West that the Thai people, far from being uncultured and uncivilised, indeed, had a proud and rich cultural heritage of their own. However, the relative dearth of properly academic and accurate cutural/ historical research and literature and its importance within the Thai education system and general population, then and even today, would seem to undermine the attempt to establish a true understanding of what is Thai culture.

Add to this, that some histories of Thailand have been fabricated, Loy Krathong coming from the Sukothai period being one, as a propagandist attempt to inculcate a national sense of identity.

Fellow posters on this site, who have attended the Thai culture course for teachers can attest to the fallacy and, indeed, an often false representation of Thai culture. And this course has been put together by those who you think should and would know better. Ho hum!

1st August 2008, 10:59	#83 (permalink)
Johnh Johnh is sometimes grumpy, always hopeful Cheeky Monkey Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 54 vCash: 500 Rep Power: 0	Re: What is Thai Culture Exactly. From Wikipedia Culture (from the Latin cultura stemming from colere, meaning "to cultivate")[1] generally refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic structures that give such activities significance and importance. Cultures can be "understood as systems of symbols and meanings that even their creators contest, that lack fixed boundaries, that are constantly in flux, and that interact and compete with one another"[2] Culture can be defined as all the ways of life including arts, beliefs and institutions of a population that are passed down from generation to generation. Culture has been called "the way of life for an entire society."[3] As such, it includes codes of manners, dress, language, religion, rituals, norms of behavior such as law and morality, and systems of belief as well as the art. Cultural anthropologists most commonly use the term "culture" to refer to the universal human capacity and activities to classify, codify and communicate their experiences materially and symbolically. Scholars have long viewed this capacity as a defining feature of humans (although some primatologists have identified aspects of culture such as learned tool making and use among humankind's closest relatives in the animal kingdom).[4] I recall reading that the Thai phrase for culture, 'wattanathum Thai' (sic), is a relatively new addition to the Thai lexicon. I think it was coined by Rama V, or one of his close advisors, after Rama V had visited Europe and become enamoured by many things Western, least of all the West's pride in history, art and liturature. Interestingly, Rama V also 'invented' the word 'sivilai', which means civilised. This was part of an attempt to show the West that the Thai people, far from being uncultured and uncivilised, indeed, had a proud and rich cultural heritage of their own. However, the relative dearth of properly academic and accurate cutural/ historical research and literature and its importance within the Thai education system and general population, then and even today, would seem to undermine the attempt to establish a true understanding of what is Thai culture. Add to this, that some histories of Thailand have been fabricated, Loy Krathong coming from the Sukothai period being one, as a propagandist attempt to inculcate a national sense of identity. Fellow posters on this site, who have attended the Thai culture course for teachers can attest to the fallacy and, indeed, an often false representation of Thai culture. And this course has been put together by those who you think should and would know better. Ho hum!