Thai Philosophy of Life

As an introduction to a deeper understanding of the Thai philosophy of life, the analysis of three important words from the Thai vocabulary is suitable: sanuk, sabai and suay. They stand characteristically next to the often heard mai pen rai and the image of the "land of smiles" for an easy, pleasurable life in this world, although the Buddhist imprint tells people that all life is suffering. A contradiction? In any case, all Thai people strive - and seem to succeed - to enjoy life to the fullest.

Other often heard terms, especially those in which djai (heart) occurs, can also be used to convey the Thai Way-Of-Life. Nevertheless, this article can only give a first overview. The finest nuances in Thai behavior will only become apparent to us, if at all, after a longer stay in the country.

The term sabai means "pleasant", "cozy" or "comfortable". All of life should be sabai. Instead of "How are you?" ask something like "You are comfortable, aren't you?" (sabai dii rù). The answer to that is then again sabai dii "feel-good".

The word suay means "beautiful. Thai people are highly developed aesthetes. When buying an object, suay is an important criterion. The purely external is often much more important than the functional use (for objects) or the inner qualities (for people). For example, during television news broadcasts, people like to pay attention to the outward appearance of the presenters, but the information conveyed sometimes plays a subordinate role.

Sanuk means "to have fun." Everything one can do is judged by whether it is fun. What is not sanuk, one refrains from doing whenever possible. Sometimes you have to do things that are not sanuk - but then the question is how to spice up the unavoidable with some sanuk and thus make it more enjoyable.

Sanuk, Sabai and Suay

These three words are part of the Thai philosophy of life

Thailand has always been spoiled by lush nature beyond measure. Almost like in the proverbial paradise, everything was available that one needed to live, even without having to work much for it: An almost incomprehensible selection of fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices grew everywhere and by itself, you only had to help yourself. Fish were so abundant at the sea and in the rivers that you could catch them with your bare hands without much effort. The only real work was the cultivation of rice, once for planting the seedlings and once for harvesting the crop, with long breaks between the two relatively short periods of work.

There was nothing else to do! So what could be more natural than to brighten up the time with more pleasant things? Fun and games with cockfights or boat races or just idleness were alternatives. Family celebrations, which were prone to happen anyway, could be extended at will. Or sit together with other people from the village and "palaver" without being bullied. There was no need to talk about first things: who would benefit from complicated scientific or philosophical theories, since there was no need to worry about the future...

The life without major efforts also gave people the necessary space to devote themselves to beautiful things. They became aesthetes, for whom looking at beautiful things served to increase their well-being. Thus, they could develop artistic dispositions and talented craftsmen were those who made beautiful things.

Much of this has - fortunately - been preserved by the Thai to this day.

Where does it come from?

On the sociological and historical causes of a uniquely carefree way of life.

Food: Food is absolutely sanuk. The more people partake, the more sanuk it is. Thai people are constantly thinking about food and the short digestive breaks between the numerous meals are used for further meal planning. But with the excitingly delicate Thai cuisine, this is no wonder.

Shopping: Very sanuk, especially to the female sex. As long as money is available (or can be borrowed), Thai people often buy rashly and spontaneously. The price does not play a decisive role. One buys what one wants, not always guided by necessity. The pure act of buying itself is tremendous fun, and later regrets about overspending are almost unknown.

Television: Very sanuk. Television is considered the entertainment par excellence. In many households, the TV is on from morning till night, and the content is not necessarily important. Analysis of the program or critical discussion of it are not common. Thai people prefer endless soap operas and karate movies with Hong Kong heroes Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. At the same time, there are educational and thoroughly interesting scientific or cultural programs on the state broadcaster Channel 11, but they are rejected by many because they offer no sanuk.

Travel: Is sanuk only under certain conditions. Thai people prefer to travel in groups or with their families. Traveling alone is at best to visit relatives or friends, in which case it is not the trip itself that is sanuk but the destination. Of course, the trip must be comfortable and not too adventurous (very few Thai are adventurers or explorers). Hardly any Thai visits his neighboring countries like Laos, Cambodia or Burma (Myanmar), because these countries are backward in his eyes and therefore not worth seeing. It is completely different, if the budget allows it, with Europe, Australia or North America, countries with a high standard of living. But in any case, Thai people feel most comfortable in Thailand. Thailand is sabai-sabai without a doubt.

Walking: Not sanuk in a country where even the shortest distances are covered by bus, tuk-tuk or cab. Those who walk give the impression of having no money or being too stingy to spend what little change they have. The health benefits of physical activity by moving under one's own power are foreign to most Thai people, especially since the warm climate does not exactly encourage motivation to engage in sporting activities. In addition, hardly anyone wants to voluntarily expose themselves to the sun lest they get a darker skin color. A dark skin color is frowned upon, because that's what the farmers in the countryside have, who have to toil in the blazing sun every day. A light skin color, on the other hand, has status value in Thailand. Interestingly, this is exactly the opposite of our attitude.

Profound discussions: Conversations of a serious nature are generally not sanuk. They also only occur in countries where the sun doesn't shine as often, where there isn't as much food, and where everything isn't as nice in general. Disputes and controversies are avoided as much as possible in order to maintain social peace. Criticizing people is not common, and if it does happen, it tends to draw negative conclusions about the critic rather than the criticized. On the other hand, casual, friendly and humorous conversations, such as those Thai women have about their husbands, promote general well-being and are therefore sanuk.