Improving the World... One Interaction At A Time.
A Performers Guide to Cultural Interactions
By William Draven
As an actor at a major motion picture studio, and theme park in Hollywood, as well as a magician I frequently get the opportunity to entertain for from all over the world. A year ago or so a document was released within our entertainment department that outlined different countries, and some good information you can use to create meaningful, lasting encounters with their people.
I immediately saw the advantage of this information for the magician community because what are we if not entertainers? We can use just about any tool at our disposal to help create that one magic moment with our audience that can make it even that much more memorable. So I got permission to share the information with you. Of course this project will take some time to post up, so I'll be updating this based upon two factors. The first being how well received, and appreciated it is from you the community, and the second how relevant the community feels this information is as applied to their lives. That is to say if not encouraged, I won't keep it up. Otherwise, I'll post new threads titled: "Improving The World: {country name}" that that specific file relates to.
Without any further delay, I bring you our next country: Thailand
Improve the World: Thailand
Country: Thailand
Continental Location: Southeastern Asia
What They Call Themselves: Thai
Primary Language: Thai
Prominent Cities: Bankok [capital], Phuket (POO-key), Ayuttayah (EYE-you-tah-YAH), Chian Mai (SHANG my); Pattaya (POT-eye-YAH)
Famous/ Historic Sites: Golden Palace, Home of the royal family; Wat Pho (WATT PO) temple featuring the “Reclining Buddha”
Currency: The Thai Baht (BOT)
Starter Phrases in Thai:
Hello: Sawadee khrap (SWAH-dee Krop; m); Sawadee kha (SWAH-dee kah; f)
Goodbye: Laa kawn (LAW cone)
Please: Karunaa (KAH-roo-NAH)
Thank you: Khawp koon khrap (COP coon crop; m), Khawp koon Kha (COP coon CAH; f)
Your Welcome/Ok: Khrap (CROP; m); Kha (CAH;f)
Cultural Notes:
Prominent People/ Celebrities: King Bhumibol Adulyadej (pronounced BOOM-ee-bowl; 9th King of Thailand. He is simply referred to as “The King” or “Rama IX”; Tiger Woods (golf icon; born in America, his mother is Thai).
-Thailand is the former Siam; home of the Siamese Cats, Siamese Fighting Fish, and the original Siamese Twins, Chang & Eng Bunker.
-Thais revere their monarchy. No where else in the world is there as much political turmoil over the Prime Minister and as much love for the King as in Thailand. King Rama IX is the longest reigning monarch on the planet Earth at 63+ years of rule and he’s a jazz musician to boot! Really!
-Thailand, about the size of California, is a peninsula on the Gulf of Thailand near the equator with Burma, Laos, Vietnam & Indonesia. Their beaches are known for their resorts.
-Siam was the only country in the region, South of China, never colonized by Europeans. However, Thais have a great love for British culture: driving on the left, adopting colonial architecture in the late 1800s & supporting English soccer teams.
-The chief religion in Thailand is Buddhism: 95% population participation!
-Asian Elephants are still used for labor and as transportation in poorer parts of Thailand; conservation movements have created numerous sanctuaries for rescued pachyderms.
-“The King and I” is based on the relationship between the English tutor, Anna and King Mongkut. In the West this is a beloved show, but Thais were not amused.
-The “Bridge on the River Kwai” is part of a real railway from Thailand to Burma. The Oscar winning best picture (1958) was shot in Sri Lanka.
-Traditional cuisine includes Pad Thai, Tom yam soup, and Thai Ice tea. They are the world’s largest exporter of rice.
-Thai kick boxing called Muay Thai (MOO-ay TIE) is their most popular spectator sport.
-The Thai New Year, people celebrate by throwing, dousing and shooting water on each other out in the streets; representative of the cleaning of Buddha statues nationwide.
-Thais don’t normally shake hands when they greet one another, but instead press the palms together in prayer-like gesture called a wai (WHY).
What To Avoid:
Touching another person’s head is a social taboo. So is wearing shoes indoors or using your feet to move objects. NEVER speak badly about the Royals! Especially while in Thailand, or you could face 15 years in prison.
A Performers Guide to Cultural Interactions
By William Draven
As an actor at a major motion picture studio, and theme park in Hollywood, as well as a magician I frequently get the opportunity to entertain for from all over the world. A year ago or so a document was released within our entertainment department that outlined different countries, and some good information you can use to create meaningful, lasting encounters with their people.
I immediately saw the advantage of this information for the magician community because what are we if not entertainers? We can use just about any tool at our disposal to help create that one magic moment with our audience that can make it even that much more memorable. So I got permission to share the information with you. Of course this project will take some time to post up, so I'll be updating this based upon two factors. The first being how well received, and appreciated it is from you the community, and the second how relevant the community feels this information is as applied to their lives. That is to say if not encouraged, I won't keep it up. Otherwise, I'll post new threads titled: "Improving The World: {country name}" that that specific file relates to.
Without any further delay, I bring you our next country: Thailand
Improve the World: Thailand
Country: Thailand
Continental Location: Southeastern Asia
What They Call Themselves: Thai
Primary Language: Thai
Prominent Cities: Bankok [capital], Phuket (POO-key), Ayuttayah (EYE-you-tah-YAH), Chian Mai (SHANG my); Pattaya (POT-eye-YAH)
Famous/ Historic Sites: Golden Palace, Home of the royal family; Wat Pho (WATT PO) temple featuring the “Reclining Buddha”
Currency: The Thai Baht (BOT)
Starter Phrases in Thai:
Hello: Sawadee khrap (SWAH-dee Krop; m); Sawadee kha (SWAH-dee kah; f)
Goodbye: Laa kawn (LAW cone)
Please: Karunaa (KAH-roo-NAH)
Thank you: Khawp koon khrap (COP coon crop; m), Khawp koon Kha (COP coon CAH; f)
Your Welcome/Ok: Khrap (CROP; m); Kha (CAH;f)
Cultural Notes:
Prominent People/ Celebrities: King Bhumibol Adulyadej (pronounced BOOM-ee-bowl; 9th King of Thailand. He is simply referred to as “The King” or “Rama IX”; Tiger Woods (golf icon; born in America, his mother is Thai).
-Thailand is the former Siam; home of the Siamese Cats, Siamese Fighting Fish, and the original Siamese Twins, Chang & Eng Bunker.
-Thais revere their monarchy. No where else in the world is there as much political turmoil over the Prime Minister and as much love for the King as in Thailand. King Rama IX is the longest reigning monarch on the planet Earth at 63+ years of rule and he’s a jazz musician to boot! Really!
-Thailand, about the size of California, is a peninsula on the Gulf of Thailand near the equator with Burma, Laos, Vietnam & Indonesia. Their beaches are known for their resorts.
-Siam was the only country in the region, South of China, never colonized by Europeans. However, Thais have a great love for British culture: driving on the left, adopting colonial architecture in the late 1800s & supporting English soccer teams.
-The chief religion in Thailand is Buddhism: 95% population participation!
-Asian Elephants are still used for labor and as transportation in poorer parts of Thailand; conservation movements have created numerous sanctuaries for rescued pachyderms.
-“The King and I” is based on the relationship between the English tutor, Anna and King Mongkut. In the West this is a beloved show, but Thais were not amused.
-The “Bridge on the River Kwai” is part of a real railway from Thailand to Burma. The Oscar winning best picture (1958) was shot in Sri Lanka.
-Traditional cuisine includes Pad Thai, Tom yam soup, and Thai Ice tea. They are the world’s largest exporter of rice.
-Thai kick boxing called Muay Thai (MOO-ay TIE) is their most popular spectator sport.
-The Thai New Year, people celebrate by throwing, dousing and shooting water on each other out in the streets; representative of the cleaning of Buddha statues nationwide.
-Thais don’t normally shake hands when they greet one another, but instead press the palms together in prayer-like gesture called a wai (WHY).
What To Avoid:
Touching another person’s head is a social taboo. So is wearing shoes indoors or using your feet to move objects. NEVER speak badly about the Royals! Especially while in Thailand, or you could face 15 years in prison.