Managing Culture Differences: My Experience with Thai Communication Styles

The kingdom of Thailand, and its rich culture and world-famous hospitality, offers a unique communication landscape as fascinating as it is intimidating to the foreign visitor. As part of my #ThailandFanClub journey and Module 2 of my cross-cultural communications, I was privileged to have experienced Thai communication styles, learning about and experiencing first-hand in the process.

Adopting Thai Communication Strategies

One of the most significant things that I learned while I was in Thailand is that communication is far more than language. Thai communication is indirect, hierarchical, and highly reliant on non-verbal communication. I learned the hard way how each of these plays a significant role on a daily basis.

Non-Verbal Communication: The Language of Gestures

In Thailand, non-verbal communication is magic. The “wai,” the traditional Thai greeting, is a bowing motion with palms together — a gesture of respect and acknowledgement. In a local marketplace, I could observe how shop assistants greeted friendliness with soft smiles and head nods despite the language issue. This demonstrated to me the strength of body language in bridging communication barriers.

Indirect Communication: Reading Between the Lines

In contrast to the directness of communication in Western societies, Thais will speak indirectly so as not to disrupt harmony and create conflict. I recall requesting criticism on a group presentation. Instead of a blunt “no” or critical comments, my Thai students provided me with respectful recommendations and polite comments. I first perceived their comments as agreement, only later understanding their implied responses were a way of expressing concern without offending. Listening more attentively and hearing behind the message as a result was what this incident taught me.

Hierarchy and Respect: Working with Social Structures

Thai society is highly hierarchical in nature no matter what the context — business, social, or family. What you say and how you say it is a function of age, rank, and status. I was drilled in this when I attended a business meeting where junior staff deferred to senior staff to allow them to steer the discussion. Having learned about this hierarchy, I was able to adjust my style — being respectful to those above me and being more interactive with my peers.

Comparing Communication Styles of Home and Thai Culture

Coming from a direct and assertive culture, I needed to alter my attitude when learning to thrive in Thailand. Although my cultural background promotes easy expression of viewpoint, Thai people prefer saving face and harmony between people. It was most conspicuous during team meetings when I found myself balancing what I wanted to express freely versus being more deliberate and reserved in how I phrased myself.

The second most glaring distinction was in the use of non-verbal communication. While gestures and facial expressions are universal, their meaning could be quite different. A Thai smile can be one of happiness, politeness, or nervousness, depending on the circumstances. Being able to read those little signals provided another layer to my communication acumen.

Practical Tips for Effective Communication in Thailand

Pay Attention to Non-Verbal Communication: Observe the use of gestures, body stance, and facial expressions. A smile or a humble “wai” may convey more than words.

Use Indirect Speech: When criticizing or when talking about something sensitive, be careful with words and subtle in intonation so as not to hurt.

Respect Hierarchy: Be respectful to your seniors at work and in society. Call people by their titles and be humble.

Listen Actively: Communication is not always easy, so listen and attempt to decipher the entire meaning of what the other is attempting to say. Do not shy away from asking polite follow-up questions to get it right.

Accept Patience and Flexibility: There are cultural differences that may lead to misunderstandings. Patience and flexibility will guide you through unknown territories without hurting anyone’s sensibilities.

Conclusion

It has been an enriching experience navigating Thailand’s cultural differences that further made me appreciate cross-cultural communication. By embracing non-verbal communication, adaptation to indirect communication, and respect for the hierarchy, I not only became an effective communicator but also fostered good working rapport with Thai counterparts. My personal belief is that by sharing experiences, others are able to benefit from valuable lessons and pragmatic advice on how to communicate most effectively in Thailand.

Written by: Aung Thet Pwar