7 Fascinating Cultures In Thailand

There are many different countries around the world with unique cultures and traditions. The most interesting one for me is that of Thailand.

This country, home to several fantastic tourist attractions and places such as Phuket, Koh Samui, and Chiang Mai, has several cultures that seem absolutely distinct from each other despite sharing similar characteristics.

Here are seven fascinating cultures of Thailand that I’d like to tell you about:

Sichuanese and Chinese Culture

Sichuanese believes in Confucianism, another name for Buddhism that originated in China. This Culture involves having good morals and living by rules and regulations.

In this society, everything is based on relationships and family ties. To respect one’s elders or anyone out of your own familial group is a crucial way to show respect.

For example, when someone has gone ahead to marry another man, they need to give some sort of gift to their parents to show them that it was meant for them. Sichuanese is also quite particular concerning personal hygiene and grooming.

It is not uncommon to find men shaving before going to bed because they believe their women will be more relaxed if they do so.

Manchu Culture

In my opinion, this region’s highest level of Culture is the Miao people, who live along the western coast of Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar.

They are often referred to as “Manchu” because they have large, oval-shaped faces and can grow up to around 6 feet.

The word “Manchu” comes from Manhou, which translates to great spirit/god, which means they are very spiritual individuals who believe in a supreme being (usually a shaman).

You would find many colors available on these people, including green, red, purple, blue, yellow, and orange- they even have black ink used to paint everything in some cases.

Japanese Culture

The island of Japan is full of unique landmarks such as Mount Fuji, Chitose, Himeji Castle, Chidoriyama Shrine, Shinkansen bullet train rides, Samurai castles, and Tokyo Opera House.

Aside from the incredible scenery of Japan, it is home to a rich ancient history dating back over 2 thousand years.

During WWII, Japan was under attack from various foreign forces until 1945, when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Due to these attacks, the government of Japan began changing these policies.

As time passed, there were fewer restrictions, and Japanese citizens were given more freedom than before. Today, it is a highly diverse country with many towns and villages.

Nani Culture

Nani is one of the largest ethnic groups in Indonesia, a tiny Southeast Asian state of 1,000 population. These indigenous people primarily engage in agriculture, fishing, and collecting water.

Their traditional lifestyle is somewhat rigid. For instance, they don’t eat pork or drink alcohol for at least three days.

Though these laws may seem harsh, Nani people still strictly adhere to certain things, such as respecting the elderly, following the law, and respecting God. They are also very religious people who continually pray before leaving their house and when they come to return home.

They ensure their houses and homes are clean, especially in disasters like earthquakes. You can contact them through a local tour company that has both Nani and Chinese tourists in Indonesia so you can explore more cultural areas.

Many shops and restaurants in their area have souvenir items or other items. This Culture is really worth exploring as well.

Hokkien Culture

Hokkien is also known as the Huns of Cambodia. If looking for something to share your plate at this time of year, the best option is Komotini (pork belly) soup.

The meal is served with sampan rice and chicken. One dish that should be ordered for special occasions is fried rice cakes.

Since this dish involves eating pork belly, you can’t help but imagine yourself holding the knife in front of your mouth while you enjoy the tasty flavors. Another great dish would be gory meatballs.

With every part of the body covered in all kinds of meat and meat sauce, you can be sure you’ll be satisfied.

Thai Food & Cuisine

Thai food is pretty complex. Due to its multiple influences from Western cuisine, Thai food has many ingredients that it is unfamiliar.

Not only that, food in Thailand has two main subgroups; Thai and Kaeng, which literally translates to spicy.

Traditional recipes for Thai food involve coconut milk and curry powders, making them one of the few dishes to use seafood cooked with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger.

Both these subgroups are used to prepare meat dishes and seafood. All these ingredients are prepared to add flavor and color to everything without too much heat.

However, while most people might think you won’t get any authentic spices if you order this dish with noodles instead, I’ll bet on the contrary. The only thing that makes you fall in love with this place is probably how delicious it tastes.

Daoism & Zen Buddhism

With its philosophical roots and belief in reincarnation, Daoists dedicate themselves to developing new ways to experience life.

While they use magic, meditation, and chanting for help in achieving enlightenment. Daoism isn’t just limited to its beliefs. According to Zen Buddhism, your soul leaves and reenters this life for the next life as a form of karma.

Those who follow this philosophy are called machinists.