Business Communication In Thailand

Presented by:

Muhammad Zohaib SajidAbid Hussain Bhatti

Arsalan Ahmed Ansari

Date:16th Nov,2009

Main Focus∆ Historical Background

∆ Social and Cultural values

∆ Good behavior in business communication in Thailand.

∆ Individual opinion

THAILAND

THAILAND (Location)

∆ Capital: Bangkok

∆ Population: 64,865,523

∆ Ethnic Map: Thai 75%,chinese 14%,other 11%

∆ Religions: Buddhism, Muslims, Christianity, Hinduism

∆ Currency: Baht

INTRODUCTION

∆ Climate: Tropical (May to September) and dry, cool (November to April)

∆ Languages: Thai, Chinese, Malay, Lao, English

∆ Literacy Rate: 93.5%

∆ Anthem: Phleng Chat Thai

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

∆ Land occupied by humansover 5,000 years.

∆ Southern Chinese migratedin about 700 A.D

∆ Modern history emerged in 13th century with foundation of two states

Sukhothai (1220)ChangMai (1296)

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND cont.

∆ Former Thai King, Ram Kham Haeng (1278-1318) is still reverdas “The Father of Thailand”

∆ In 1378, it was absorbed intolarger Kingdom of Ayutthaya which extended beyond present day borders.

∆ In 1569, Burmese Overran Ayutthaya but were displaced by Thai King Naresuan.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Cont.

∆ To keep its independence, Siam ceded a portion ofMalaysia to Britain and a little of what is Cambodia andlaos to France.

∆ During this period, an enlightenedking, Mongkut or Rama IV (1851-1858),introduced Western-style reforms tomodernize the country and later on Hisson transformed the country into modernstate.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND cont.

∆ As a result of military coup in 1939, the nation wasrenamed “Thailand” or “Land of the Free”.

∆ In 1941, the Japanese occupied the land until at end ofWorld War II. While the king is still a focus of loyalty andcohesion, the country’s generals are the power brokers.

Bridge on the Kwai River at Kanchanaburi

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND cont.

∆ For the past half century, the Thai govt., fearful ofcommunist attacks, has aligned itself with the UnitedStates who established military bases there during theVietnam War. This has aided the democratic process andeconomic expansion.

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL VALUES

∆ Culture

∆ Values

∆ Cultural factors in communication

∆ How to Empathies with Thais

CULTUREReligion:

∆ Thailand is nearly 95% Theravada Buddhist, with minorities of Muslims (4.6%), Christians (0.7%), Mahayana Buddhists, and other religions .

∆ Thai Theravada Buddhism is supported and overseen by the government, with monks receiving a number of government benefits, such as free use of the public

transportation infrastructure

Continued….

Cuisine :∆ sweet (sugar, fruits, sweet peppers) ∆ spicy hot (chilies) ∆ sour (vinegar, lime juice, tamarind) ∆ salty (soy sauce, fish sauce)

Sports:∆ The most popular team sport in Thailand is football.∆ Muay Thai (Thai boxing) is probably the most popular

spectator sport in Thailand.∆ The other main indigenous sport is takraw, which is

similar to volleyball.

Continued….

Customs:∆ The Wai is the common form of greeting and adheres to

strict rules of protocol.

∆ The wai may be made while sitting,walking, or standing.

∆ The person who is junior in age statusis the first one to offer the wai.

∆ The senior person returns the wai,generally with their hands raised tosomewhere around their chest

VALUES∆ Pragmatism ∆ Love of freedom∆ Simplicity ∆ Fatalism, Karma ∆ Compassion, Kindness∆ Family, filial piety∆ Respect∆ Dignity, honor∆ Interest in Western Education∆ Rejection of Western work ethic

CULTURAL FACTORS IN BUSINESS

COMMUNICATION

Communication patterns and use of language.

∆ People who keep cool are respected.∆ When angered, use a subtle method of revenge.∆ Avoid unpleasant truth.∆ Describe only 20% of personal problems.∆ Smiles cover tragic situation.∆ Hypocrisy is not always negative.∆ Humor is used

Continued…

Listening habits:

∆ Docile, obedient.∆ Little feedback unless requested.∆ Sensitive discussion must be initiated from top.

Behaviour at meetings:

∆ Buddhism discourages competition. Thais therefore, are not overly ambitious.

∆ Easy work with sufficient pay is better than hard workwith high pay.

∆ Work tempo increases or decreases according to thepresence of boss.

∆ Social affairs are discussed during work hours butbusiness in perused after hours and social situations.

∆ The central part of business is approached slowly andconcentrically.

Continued…

Continued…

Manners and Taboos:

∆ Head-on collisions must be avoided at all costs. Ensurethat there is no losing face for anyone.

∆ Socializing includes meals, theatre and music,kickboxing, going to the beach, badminton. Care shouldbe taken to observe the pecking order in social andbusiness situations.

∆ Superiors are seen as unchallenged, but they generallystrive to get on well with subordinates.

Continued…

How to empathise with Thais:

∆ Know your Thai history.∆ Emphasis their independence.∆ Be easy going socially.∆ Don’t rush them.∆ Learn the basics of Buddhism.∆ Think of time as cyclical.∆ Respect the monarchy.∆ Dress neatly.

Business Etiquette and Protocol

∆ Relationships & Communication

∆ Business Meeting Etiquette

∆ Dress Etiquette

∆ Business Cards

Relationships & Communication

∆ Thais prefer doing business with people they respect.Relationships develop slowly and do not flourish afterone meeting; it may take several meetings.

∆ Always be respectful and courteous when dealing withothers as this leads to the harmonious relationshipsnecessary within business.

∆ Thai communication is formal and non-verbalcommunication is often more important than verbalcommunication.

Continued…….

∆ It is difficult for most Thais to say no, so you must be cognizant of their non- verbal communication.

∆ Watch your body language and facial expressions, asthese will be believed over your words.

∆ Appointments are necessary and should be made one month in advance.

Business Meeting Etiquette

∆ It is good idea to send a list of who will be attending the meeting and their credentials so that Thais know the relative status of the people attending the meeting and can plan properly.

Continued…..

∆ Although most Thais will try to be on time, punctuality is

a personal trait.

∆ Always send an agenda and material about yourcompany as well as data to substantiate your positionprior to the meeting.Allow sufficient time for the material to be reviewed anddigested.

Continued……

∆ Remain standing until told where to sit. The hierarchicalculture has strict rules about rank and position in the

group.

∆ Written material should be available in both English andThai.

∆ You must be patient.

Dress Etiquette

∆ Business attire is conservative.

∆ Men should wear dark coloured conservative business suits.

Continued…

∆ Women should wear conservative

business suits or dresses. Women need not wear hosiery.

∆ Since Thai's judge you on your clothing and accessories, ensurethat your shoes are always highly polished.

Business Cards

∆ Business cards are given out after the initial handshake and greeting. In theory, you should give your card to the most senior person first.

∆ It is advisable to have one side of your business card

translated into Thai.

Continued…

∆ Using your right hand, deliver your business card so the Thai side faces the recipient.

∆ Look at a business card for a few seconds before placingit on the table or in a business card case. As in mostAsian countries, it is polite to make some commentabout the card, even if it is only to acknowledge theaddress.

Refrences

∆ http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/thailand-country-profile.html

∆ http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Thailand

∆ http://www.thailandbuddy.com/images/culture/wai.jpg

∆ http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WbduMYmb_4/R2AwKFui75I/AAAAAAAAB-A/t9BcqqouIAk/s400/Business+dress.JPG

∆ http://www.johnnyjet.com/image/PicForNewsletterThailandBangkok200810.JPG

Any Question?