As I begin my last term in Thailand, I've been rooting through my belongings and came across a table in my notes that we were referred to (no official source, I'm afraid) in our induction training.
Having spent nearly three years here I find it generally holds true, with the caveat that we're talking about people and there are huge variations within the bell-curve at an individual level:
Western | Thai |
---|---|
Freedom | Respect/Family |
Self-determination | Restraint/Stoicism |
Honesty/Truth | Spirituality/Mysticism |
Tolerance | Compassion/Happiness |
Rule of Law | Hierachy/Conformity |
- | Avoidance of Embarrassment |