Bangkok Culture

A country with rich history and refined tradition, Thailand is famous for its culture that has long been known in the world for its individuality and uniqueness. Thai culture has been passed down from generation to generation staring from early Lanna period through Sukothai, Ayutthaya, Thonburi and this glorious era of Ratanakosin.

Colourful Thai culture includes beautiful Thai classical dance and music, Thai traditional costume, architecture, Buddhism, art and craft, all of which can be widely seen everywhere in Thailand. But the most well-known seems to be the Thai gracious gesture of ‘wai’ greeting which is the brining together of both hands to the chest and bending the head to the tips of the fingers. Thais ‘wai’ to show respect to the elders as the way to say hello, good bye, thank you and sorry. Every Thai person is taught to learn how to ‘wai’ from a young age, most of the time even before they can utter their first word. It’s all part of a complex structure of etiquette which is so important for showing respect to others in Thai culture.

Bangkok, the capital city since the late 18th century, has been the main centre of Thailand. Blending together traditional values and metropolitan atmosphere, Bangkok preserves full range of Thai culture together with historical heritages that can be seen around Bangkok in the form of beautiful temples and unique architectural splendours. The most notable area is around Sanam Luang where you can find Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of Emerald Buddha, situated within the Grand Palace, and other architectural gems. The Emerald Buddha is a sacred symbol of the Rattanakosin and the temple acts as the most important temple in realm. All of these are are inspired by Buddhism, which has a profound effect on the lives, beliefs and artistic expression of Thailand and it’s legacy.

Thai classical dances performed by beautiful ladies in traditional costumes can be seen in special events while Thai traditional music is still popular among later generations. The Bangkok National Museum, near Phra PinKlao Bridge, showcases history of Thailand and its fascinating culture in a variety of collections and many exhibitions housed in the museum. Nearby are the National Theatre hosting authentic traditional Thai dance and music and the National Gallery displaying art pieces dating from 17th century. Then there are the numerous colourful, and often fun, festivals that occur periodically throughout the year and its worth planning your visit to co-incide with some of the most popular such as the Songkran water festival or Loi Kratong festival of light.

In this section we cover the key aspect of Thailand’s wonderful culture that adds an important facet to the country’s tourism attractions. Those planning to visit Thailand will greatly enrich their experience by seeking out or learning out some of these traditions.