Current Time in NakhonSawan
Thai culture regarding time
Thai culture regarding time
A relaxed sense of time is rooted in daily life
The "mai pen rai" (don't worry) spirit is widespread in Thailand, and people have a relaxed attitude toward daily plans and appointments. Being 10 to 20 minutes late is common, and strict time management is not emphasized.
Buddhist events affect the sense of time
Thailand is a Buddhist country, and religious times, such as monks' almsgiving and temple ceremonies, are part of the rhythm of life. There is a lot of activity especially in the early morning, and there is a culture of starting to move before the sun rises.
Awareness of punctuality is also increasing in urban areas
In big cities such as Bangkok, the importance of punctuality is increasing due to business and traffic conditions, and there is an increasing tendency to be on time for meetings and official appointments.
Thai values regarding time
It is considered a virtue to take your time
In Thailand, it is good to act calmly and without haste, and a life where you are always pressed for time is not preferred. They place importance on a "sabai" (comfortable) way of life, and respect peace of mind over efficiency.
Tolerance is valued over courtesy
Even if you are a little late, it is rarely considered a problem as long as you smile and say hello, and there is a culture where atmosphere and consideration are valued over formality.
Life rhythms that change with the seasons
In the hot and rainy seasons, people have taken root in a way of using time that is in line with nature, such as avoiding daytime activities and acting in the morning and evening. As the climate changes, the sense of time also changes flexibly.
Things foreigners should know about time when traveling or moving to Thailand
Tolerance of lateness, but caution in business
Although there is an atmosphere of tolerance for lateness in private life, punctuality is the norm in business situations, and punctuality is expected especially for appointments with foreigners.
Delays due to traffic jams are common
In Bangkok and other places, heavy traffic jams occur on a daily basis, so it can be difficult to arrive on time. Plan your travels with plenty of time.
Public services are generally on time
Services such as railways, airlines, and banks are relatively punctual, and the environment is easy for travelers and immigrants to use.
The trick is to take daily plans "loosely"
Things often don't go on time, so having a "flexible mindset" is important in building smooth relationships in Thailand.
Interesting trivia about time in Thailand
Thai New Year (Songkran) is celebrated by splashing water
Every April, Songkran is a Thai New Year, and a water-throwing festival is held for several days. During this period, the sense of time becomes looser and the whole city is in a festive mood.
School classes are sometimes scheduled according to the Buddhist calendar
In Thailand, there is a culture of using the Buddhist calendar instead of the Gregorian calendar, and Buddhist calendar notation is common in official documents and schools. It is 543 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar.
There is a term "Thai time"
There is a humorous way of calling something that is later than the scheduled time "Thai time", which symbolizes the fact that flexibility regarding time is deeply rooted in the culture.