Description:

This 3 week seminar is designed to help expatriates better understand and thus more easily interact with Thai people in their daily life. Each session will include presentations, Q & A, and small group discussions.

October 6: Thai Values: Myth, Reality, and What Remains in a Changing World?

Are Thai values a myth or a reality? Where do the core values stand in today’s more connected and rapidly changing world? This session explores the concept of Thainess and Thai identity through language, expressions, and cultural nuances.
The session will also dive into the unique characteristics of the Thai language and their cultural implications.

• Why doesn’t Thai have a true equivalent for the word “I”?
• Why do many Thai speakers use khrap and kha even when speaking English?

October 14: “Happier in Thailand?” How to make Thai friends

Research has shown that happiness is closely linked to the quality of our relationships. Yet many people, Thais and foreigners alike, experience loneliness in modern Thai society. Could there be cultural factors at play that prevent a deeper connection? And what can we do about it?
This session will examine common barriers to connection, especially between people from vastly different cultural backgrounds.
We’ll explore intriguing questions such as:

• Why don’t Thai people often invite friends to their homes?
• Why do friend referrals rarely work in Thai social settings?

Participants will also gain insights, tips, and practical strategies for building a stronger social circle in Thailand.

October 20: Beyond the Thai smile: Successfully Adapting to Thai Society

In this session, we’ll explore key questions:

• What is it really like to be Thai?
• Are Thai people genuinely happy, on average?
• Is the “Land of Smiles” a myth or a reality?
• What is it like to grow up Thai?
• How do Thais truly view Buddhism?

We’ll also dive into the meaning of the term farang:
How do Thai people perceive Westerners, and what are the social and cultural implications of being labelled a farang? Most importantly, is integration possible, and if so, what does it take?

Presenter:

Ajarn Jaem Prueangwet is best known today as the host of the Youtube Channel “RealThailander” where he explores Thai culture and language with honesty and insight. He is a graduate of the Faculty of Law at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, and has a Master of Laws degree from University College in London. A professional translator, he has worked with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Thailand’s National Economic and Social Development Board, and has created the Thai subtitles for many movie and TV series. Perhaps most relevant to this workshop is his article “What Does It Mean to be Thai” for Chiang Mai City Life Magazine.

COST : 350 THB per session or 900 THB for all 3 sessions