Culture
    The culture of Thailand can not be summed up easily as it is an amalgam of many different peoples and their histories. The following stereotypes are the ones heard from the Thai's themselves. The southerners are dark skinned, intelligent, Muslim fisherman who are dangerous and not really Thai. The three main pillars of Thailand are Buddhism, the Royal Family and the country but since the South does not share the same religious views, they are looked upon with suspicion. From personal experience, I have found them the most hospitable to travelers. Violence flares frequently there as the police, managed by the Office of the Prime Minister, act heavy-handedly to control this area.
    Bangkok people are brash, materialistic, ultracompetitive and most influenced by Western culture. Those with Chinese ancestry control the military, economics and the government. Their seeming excessive power is often resented by people of the other areas who often feel the development projects are forced upon them and these projects do nothing but benefit those in power.
    Issan people of the Northeast speak a language that is closely related to Lao, are hard working, often have extreme debt, eat almost everything and have a "hill-billy" mentality. The people of the central plains are kind though often poor farmers with a proud heritage. Northern women are considered the most beautiful as they have relatively light skin because of the mixing with immigrant Chinese over the years. The hill-tribes are portrayed as drug smuggling, promiscuous and backwards.
   Thailand for the most part is amazingly tolerant. For example, gays are seen frequently and women occupy high status positions such as doctor and lawyer. However, there is still a traditional hierarchy that was most likely imported from Hinduism and many Thais still believe a person has a position which is result of karma. Once one works off the karma accumulated from past lives by doing good deeds, he or she can then change positions in next lives. This belief at least partially accounts for the relative peace in society. The lower level people have accepted their fate in life and are not constantly competing. From the Western eye, this can at times appear lazy or even obsequious.
    The higher end of society is dominated by the monied elite, most frequently of Chinese ancestry, living in Bangkok. Their children attend the best schools in the US and Europe and they are given every opportunity in life. They make up high society along with actors, actresses and other beautiful people. A foreign tourist visiting Thailand will typically be treated well and will assumed to be of high status by most Thais who could never afford a trip abroad. Behavior unfit for an educated Thai is often displayed by ignorant tourists, such as - dressing poorly, wearing spaghetti strap clothing, going shirtless in town, speaking angrily, having public displays of affection. Dressing well and acting with a reserved, cultured manner will win you many friends and much respect.
    One cliched occurrence you can not help but viewing is seeing an older foreign male with a young, attractive Thai girl. Thais typically assume (often correctly) that she is just a cheap bar girl and always want to know why Western men like dark skinned girls (since light skin is considered much more attractive in their eyes). From the Western eye, the rich man is taking advantage of the poor girl but interestingly enough, there are countless cases of the "poor girl" being sly and taking advantage of the older western male. What typically happens is that the bar girl will choose a man she is attracted to or who appears to have a large amount of money. After sleeping with him and possibly traveling with him for a limited time, he thinks they have a relationship and even starts thinking about marriage. When he goes back to his home country the girl will request money saying that her mother or father has unexpectedly gotten sick, or she wants to study English or she wants to start a business. Many times the man sends money but in reality, the girl has 6 or 7 different men in the same position, all sending money for the "sick mother". There is even a well-selling book that gives sample letters to cut and paste! Other girls marry their "boyfriend" and when the "husband" goes back to his own country to make some money. Upon his return, he finds the house has been sold, the car is gone and the "wife" has disappeared. This is so common in fact, the US Embassy website strongly warns any American male to do a thorough background check before getting married to a Thai woman "no matter how nice she may appear."

Below are a list of beliefs in culture that help explain some differences you will most likely encounter on your visit to Thailand.

Western belief - with brains and hard work you can get ahead in life
Thai belief - with the right attitude and the right connections you can advance economically and socially

Western belief - people are poor because they are stupid since everyone has the same opportunities
Thai belief - the poor are poor because of the karma from past lives.

Western belief - honesty is of high value
Thai belief - honesty is important but can be overrated and even bring negative results

Western belief - an apology will end a bad situation
Thai belief - a bad situation can be avoided by not getting angry

Western belief - all people are given the same basic rights
Thai belief - the lower in society have little voice and if you are rich you can get away with almost anything

Western belief- my values are worth fighting for be it pro-choice, pro-life, Democrat, Republican, green, animal rights, anti genetic engineering, etc.
Thai belief - it is better to maintain harmonious social relations