THE PEOPLE & CULTURE
THE THAI CHARACTER
Mien (Yao)
Population: 3 5,5 00
Origin: central China
Present locations: Thailand, south China, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam
Economy: dry rice, corn
Belief system:animism with ancestor worship, Taoism, Buddhism and
Christianity
Cultural characteristics: TheMien are highly skilled at crafts such as
embroidery and silversmithing. They settle near mountain springs at be-
tween 1000m and 1200m with a concentration in Nan, Phayao and Chi-
ang Rai provinces and a few com-
munities in Chiang Mai, Lam-
pang and Sukhothai. Migration
into Thailand increased during
the American War era when the
Mien collaborated with the CIA
against Pathet Lao forces; 50,000
Mien refugees were resettled in
the US. The Mien are heavily in-
fl uenced by Chinese traditions
and they use Chinese characters
to write their language. Kinship
is patrilineal and marriage is
polygamous. Houses are built at
ground level, out of wood or bam-
boo thatch.
Women wear trousers and
black jackets with intricately em-
broidered patches and red furlike
collars, along with large dark-
blue or black turbans. Men wear
black tunics and black pants.The Thai Character
Much of Thailand’s cultural value system is hinged upon respect for the
family, religion and monarchy. Within that system each person knows his
or her place and Thai children are strictly instructed in the importance
of group conformity, respecting elders and suppressing confrontational
views. In most social situations, establishing harmony often takes a lead-
ing role and Thais take personal pride in making others feel at ease.Sà·nùk
In general, Thais place high value on sà·nùk, which means ‘fun’. It is often
regarded as a necessary underpinning of anything worth doing. Even work
and studying should have an element of sà·nùk, otherwise it automatically
becomes drudgery. This doesn’t mean Thais don’t want to work, but they
labour best as a group, so as to avoid loneliness and ensure an element
of playfulness. Nothing condemns an activity more than mâi sà·nùkk (not
fun). The back-breaking work of rice farming, the tedium of long-distance
bus driving, the dangers of a construction site: Thais often mix their job
tasks with a healthy dose of socialising. Watch these workers in action and
you’ll see them fl irting with each other, trading insults or cracking jokes.Saving Face
Thais believestrongly in the concept of saving face, ie avoiding confron-
tation and endeavouring not to embarrass themselves or other people
(except when it’s sà·nùkk to do so). The ideal face-saver doesn’t bring upThe Lahu people
are known for
their strict adher-
ence to gender
equality.