Communication Across Communication Across Cultures: ThailandCultures: Thailand

Blake HunterBlake Hunter

OutlineOutline

GeographyGeography

ReligionReligion

LanguageLanguage Body LanguageBody Language Saving FaceSaving Face

Doing Business Doing Business With ThaisWith Thais The WorkweekThe Workweek Managing Managing

EmployeesEmployees OpportunitiesOpportunities Thai’s Perception of Thai’s Perception of

AmericansAmericans Concept of WorkConcept of Work NegotiationsNegotiations Following UpFollowing Up

At A GlanceAt A Glance

CapitalCapital

PopulationPopulation

CurrencyCurrency

Exchange RateExchange Rate

LanguagesLanguages

BangkokBangkok

62.4 million62.4 million

Thai Baht (THB)Thai Baht (THB)

USD 1 = THB 39.98USD 1 = THB 39.98

Thai, English (among Thai, English (among Elite)Elite)

GeographyGeography

SizeSize

PositionPosition

ClimateClimate

ReligionReligion

BuddhistBuddhist

MonksMonks

MuslimMuslim

Religious FeelingsReligious Feelings

LanguageLanguage

Thai and OthersThai and Others

Written LanguageWritten Language

Strange GrammarStrange Grammar

Body LanguageBody Language

““Land of Smiles”Land of Smiles”

Greeting With a Greeting With a WaiWai

When Touching Is When Touching Is OKOK

Body Position Means Body Position Means EverythingEverything

Saving FaceSaving Face

Respect, Courtesy, and HumilityRespect, Courtesy, and Humility

Show Success Without BraggingShow Success Without Bragging

How to Lose FaceHow to Lose Face

The WorkweekThe Workweek

WorkweekWorkweek

VacationVacation

Type Of WorkType Of Work

Business OpportunitiesBusiness Opportunities

Manufacturing and Sales:Manufacturing and Sales: Medical EquipmentMedical Equipment TelecommunicationsTelecommunications AvionicsAvionics Ground SupportGround Support Food Processing and Food Processing and

PackingPacking RefrigerationRefrigeration ComputersComputers ChemicalsChemicals EnergyEnergy DrugsDrugs Plastic Production Plastic Production

MachineryMachinery

Agriculture:Agriculture: Dairy ProductionDairy Production CottonCotton TobaccoTobacco WheatWheat ApplesApples HogsHogs Rabbit BreedingRabbit Breeding SlaughterhousesSlaughterhouses

Thai’s Perception Of Thai’s Perception Of AmericansAmericans

Mai Pen RaiMai Pen Rai…it …it Means No WorriesMeans No Worries

Sense of UrgencySense of Urgency

Concept Of WorkConcept Of Work

Work vs. PlayWork vs. Play

Workers Workers ExpectationsExpectations

Karma Determines Karma Determines EverythingEverything

Managing EmployeesManaging Employees

Status RelationshipStatus Relationship

The King’s BellThe King’s Bell

Expectations Of Expectations Of The BossThe Boss

NegotiationsNegotiations

When To ArriveWhen To Arrive

Pace Of MeetingPace Of Meeting

Nods + Smiles = Nods + Smiles = Agreement?Agreement?

Following UpFollowing Up

E-mailsE-mails

Thank-you CardsThank-you Cards

MisunderstandingsMisunderstandings

Questions?Questions?

Works CitedWorks Cited

Cavusgil, S. Tamer, and Ghauri, Pervez, N. “Emerging Markets in Cavusgil, S. Tamer, and Ghauri, Pervez, N. “Emerging Markets in Asia: Thailand.” Asia: Thailand.” Doing Business in Emerging MarketsDoing Business in Emerging Markets. Thousand . Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications, 2002Oaks, California: Sage Publications, 2002

Dana, Leo Paul. “The Kingdom of Thailand.” Dana, Leo Paul. “The Kingdom of Thailand.” Entrepreneurship in Entrepreneurship in Pacific Asia: Past, Present & FuturePacific Asia: Past, Present & Future. New Jersey: World Scientific, . New Jersey: World Scientific, 1999.1999.

Ithijarukal, Suchada. Ithijarukal, Suchada. Manufacturing in ThailandManufacturing in Thailand. Bangkok: Business . Bangkok: Business Information and Research Ltd., 1991.Information and Research Ltd., 1991.

Lepper, PaulLepper, Paul. Doing Business with Thailand. Doing Business with Thailand. Fremont, California: Jain . Fremont, California: Jain Publishing Company, 1996.Publishing Company, 1996.

““Thailand.” Axiom Press: NetLibrary. 2003. 2 April 2007. Thailand.” Axiom Press: NetLibrary. 2003. 2 April 2007. <http:www.netlibrary.com><http:www.netlibrary.com>

Zofkie, Tom. Personal interview. 4 April 2007.Zofkie, Tom. Personal interview. 4 April 2007.