Intercultural Effectiveness - Thailand

Intercultural Effectiveness Written Report

Thailand

Table of Contents

Intercultural Effectiveness Written Report 1

Introduction 5

Cultural and Social Aspects 6

National Culture 6

Spoken Language 8

Nonverbal Language 9

Greetings 10

Family 10

Dress 10

Leisure 11

Time 11

Women in the workplace 12

Legal and Political aspects 12

Government 12

Legal System 12

Minimum Wage 13

Working hours and Attitudes 13

Lifetime employment 14

Seniority 14

House union 14

Consensual decision making 15

Quality circles 15

Economic and Commercial aspects 15

Current Economic situation 15

Religion 16

Negotiating Styles 16

Recommendations 17

Personal Action Plan 18

Appendix 1 - Basic Language 19

Appendix 2 - British companies in Thailand 20

Appendix 3 - Hofstede's cultural dimensions 21

Appendix 4 - General Cultural Points to Remember 23

Appendix 5 - Important contact details 25

Appendix 6 - Public Holidays 26

Bibliography 27

Introduction

Thailand is situated in south-eastern Asia bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand and is a sub-tropical country. Thailand's bordering countries are Burma, Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia. Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and is home to 10 million of the total population of the country (approximately one sixth of Thailand's population). Bangkok 36 districts and dominates the administrative, financial, industrial and commercial activities of Thailand. The other major cities are Nakhon, Ratchasima and Chiang Mai (Daoruang 2005).

What makes Thailand and Thai's different? Perhaps the fact that Thailand was never colonised gives the people an openness and self-confidence born of independence (Eliot et al, 2003). A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. In alliance with Japan during World War II, Thailand became a US ally following the conflict. Thailand is currently facing armed violence in its three Muslim-majority southernmost provinces (CIA World Fact book, 2005).

The aim of this report is to give an insight into Thailand and to give advice for people intending to work or study there. This report will address cultural, social, political, economical and commercial aspects of the country. The report will finish with personal recommendations for those about to go away and includes advisories and a personal action plan so that further preparations can take place. Theories of national culture will be explored and related to Thailand and Thai culture.

After I finished my secondary education I was fortunate enough to spend two months in Thailand. I will attempt to use my personal experience in aiding travellers in the personal recommendation section.

Cultural and Social Aspects

National Culture

National culture can be defined as a collection of relatively uniform and enduring values, beliefs, customs, traditions and practices that are shared by a country members, learned by new members and transmitted from one the next (adapted from Huczynski and Buchanan 2001, page 884).

Geerd Hofstede developed five dimensions of national cultural. Hofstede specifically examined the role of national culture in work-related values and information system design (Hofstede 1980; cited by Harvey 1997). Below is a chart from Hofstede (2003) website that compares UK national culture with Thai national culture.

Thailand's two highest Hofstede rankings are equal at 64 - Power Distance (PDI) and Uncertainty Avoidance (UAI).

The high Power Distance (PDI) is indicative of a high level of inequality of power and wealth within the society. This condition is not necessarily forced upon the population, but rather accepted by the society as a part of their cultural heritage (Hofstede, 2004).

The equally high Hofstede Dimension ranking of Uncertainty Avoidance (UAI) indicates the society's low level of tolerance for uncertainty. In an effort to minimize or reduce this level of uncertainty, strict rules, laws, policies, and regulations are adopted and implemented. The ultimate goal of this population is to control everything in order to eliminate or avoid the unexpected (Hofstede, 2004).

Thailand's lowest Dimension is Individualism (IDV) at 20. A low score indicates the society is Collectivist, as compared to Individualist. This is manifest in a close long-term commitment to the member 'group', is that a family, extended family, or extended relationships (Hofstede, 2004).

Thailand has a low Masculinity ranking of 34. This lower level is indicative of a society with less assertiveness and competitiveness, as compared to one where these