(ทำไมวัฒนธรรมตะวันตกจึงมีอิทธิพลต่อวัฒนธรรมไทย)

ผู้เยี่ยมชม

Why Western Culture has an influence on Thai People

By Phramaha Surasak Suramedhi (Chamaram)
4th Year Student of Humanities’ Faculty, Majoring in English
Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University Nakhonratchasima campus

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There are many reasons why Western culture has an influence on Thai People. when turning back to our history from Ayutthaya period up to the present. We have seen clearly that Thai people began trading with Westerners and from that time they began to accepted Western culture and their lives concerning with the growth of western modern sciences.

However, the influence of Western culture was not evident in that time until the Rattanakosin period or Bangkok period, after signing many trade agreements with Western nations during the reign of King Rama IV, Thai people increasingly adopted Western culture to their culture because of the practical benefit of new technology such as printing, medical science and computer. During the reign of King RamaV, he employed many foreign advisors and applied many new Western ideas to the various affairs of the country, such as national administration, finance, justice system, Educational systems and laws.

The influence of Western culture became even more widespread when many Thai people were sent to study abroad. These foreign graduates certainly brought back with them many new Western ideas to Thailand, which affected the shape of Thai culture during the following periods.

At the present time the influence of Western culture is evident in the advancement of technology and changes in Thai tradition such as in clothing, culinary style, social manners, and Educational systems. One example is the changing of the New Year's Day from the Songkran Day on the 13th of April to the 1st of January. Another example is the change in clothing style, which is now almost completely westernized.

In conclusion

The Western influence and the changing within Thai society were like a two-edged sword. On a good side, the West opened Thailand to the world economy and brought modern knowledge to the Thai people. On the other hand, Western culture destroyed traditional Thai culture such as the family system, local languages, arts and crafts. The last one is the most important that we should quickly find out the ways to solve it.

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