Understanding Thailand-Part Four

Thailand is widely acknowledged as the Land of Smiles, an allusion to the regularly held opinion that Thai people are cheerful and friendly people who like to smile, despite whether Western standards consider the circumstance suitable.

To appreciate your time in Thailand, knowing what underpins the Thai national character and the nuances involved in communicating with the Thai people is imperative. This will enable you to prevail in any circumstance and naturally go with Thai life’s flow.

If there is one epithet you should learn and understand during your time in Thailand that will establish a head start, it is Mai Phen Rai. This vaguely decodes as ‘no worries’ or ‘no problem.’ Some people liken it to ‘Hakuna Matata’ from The Lion King-‘It means no worries for the rest of your days.

Scholars propose this viewpoint from Thailand’s Buddhist origins that encourage mercy, tenderness, and non-aggressiveness.

Some Examples of When to Exercise or Possess this Philosophy of Mai Phen Rai

1. Standing in line at a 7/11, someone rushes in and pushes in front of you!

   Mai phen rai; it will be your turn in a minute!

2. A food stall owner overcharges you for your order!

   Mai phen rai; the charge can be corrected!

3. Someone bumps into you in a busy street or subway!

   Mai phen rai; it was likely an accident!

4. A tuk-tuk driver turns up late or even forgets to meet you at the pre-arranged time!

   Mai phen rai; you can find another taxi!

Although the ‘Mai Phen Rai’ attitude, coupled with the ever-present smile, may appear somewhat vexatious and irksome to a Western visitor, recognize that it is fundamental to the Thai philosophy for intercommunications and relationships.

Possibly problematical circumstances will be resolved swiftly and with far less nuisance if you adopt this attitude. 

Yelling! Getting irritated and even presenting legitimate & logical rationalization will only worsen matters!

Never overreact in Thailand! The culture here is not one of complaining about getting your own way; it’s the complete opposite!

Your responses will probably make the Thai person you are confronting ‘lose face, which will have consequences. Thai people are very proud, with heightened self-esteem and dignity. 

Any circumstance that scrutinizes or offends a Thai person or is considered an insult to their ego initiates a strong emotional response. 

Saving face, understanding one’s place in the hierarchical structure, and sustaining ego are crucial to Thai people and must be recognized in all intercommunications. 

Kreng Jai

Another common Thai feature that is invaluable to learn about and understand is the capacity to possess ‘Kreng Jai.’ 

The literal interpretation of ‘Kreng Jai’ is ‘reverence of the heart’ or ‘obeisant heart.’ 

‘Kreng Jai’ is regularly at the core of many obstacles foreigners encounter in Thailand. 

‘Kreng Jai’ represents being thoughtful of other people’s feelings, even if the other person is incorrect.

Conveying ‘Kreng Jai’ is imperative, even if it is complicated!

For example, if a co-worker agrees to complete something at the weekend but doesn’t do it, furthermore they had no plan to do it, one must try to display ‘Kreng Jai’ and endeavour to comprehend why the person didn’t do it, despite saying they would. In accepting the work, they were attentive to your feelings by not insulting you through rejection.

Complications occur in Thai–foreigner associations when a foreigner receives a Thai person’s kreng Jai without returning it, possibly because it is deemed irrelevant or a sign of vulnerability. 

Surprisingly, many Thais don’t mind telling white lies to circumvent disputes or to save the sensibilities of the person they are lying to.

Criticism evasion methods are fundamental in Thai social intercommunications. One has to be resilient and understanding, even if a circumstance is exceptionally vexatious. Kreng Jai and Mai Phen Rai, accordingly, work hand in hand in many situations in Thailand.

Admittedly this is all very complicated; however, to appreciate residing in the Land of Smiles, one needs to be able to navigate the Thai character’s subtleties by understanding the above characteristics and using the same methods to avoid offending their sensibilities. 

Always endeavor not to upset the balance, status quo, or harmony of intercommunications and consider other people’s happiness, sometimes at your own cost.

After all, several scholars surmise that Mai Phen Rai & Kreng Jai are the essences of Thai-ness. So remember, stay calm, be considerate, and smile; after all, you are in Thailand, and everyone else is smiling; you don’t want to stand out from the crowd, do you?

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