Thailand's Own Version Of Ramayana & 6 Other Surprising Similarities Between Indian & Thai Cultures

Thailand And India

[{"selector":"#anim-8a64c4fa-29ba-4f90-8414-19f29db734c8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Thailand and India are both beautiful countries with vibrant cultures. But did you know the two cultures also share a lot of surprising similarities? Credits: Unsplash

Similarities Between The Two

[{"selector":"#anim-56578a7c-5508-491f-9211-62049f0abdad [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Here are six similarities between Thai and Indian cultures! Credits: Unsplash

1. Namaste And Wai

[{"selector":"#anim-17c749cf-06a4-4062-8d6b-8db5fcbbfc16 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Indian Namaste is well known but did you know that Thai people, too, greet others by joining hands and saying “Sawasdee-Khap.” It is called ‘Wai’. Credits: Unsplash

2. No Shoes In Houses

[{"selector":"#anim-87a50d48-b679-43e3-b0f4-9efa86b65ad7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-7.105427357601002e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] This might be a common trait in all Asian countries but wearing shoes inside homes is frowned upon in Thai culture as in India. Credits: Unsplash

3. Similar Deities Worshipped

[{"selector":"#anim-e6b58814-94cb-40e6-adcc-e3fd1d0e33d8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] As in India, Buddhism is huge in Thailand too. But Thai culture also worships similar deities like Vishnu (Phra Phrom), Ganesh (Phra Pikanet), & more! Credits: Unsplash

4. Ramakien: Thailand’s Ramayana

[{"selector":"#anim-0f4aa421-5539-4a36-a304-9951b5b9a71e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Yes! Thailand even has its own version of Ramayana! The names are similar too like Sita is called Nang Sida. Credits: Unsplash

5. Similar-Sounding Names

[{"selector":"#anim-2932c2c6-d5fe-4baa-a983-d5495089c35f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Arthit in Thai means warm or sun and it sounds similar to Aditya, which also means sun! Other examples include Sanchai (Sanjay), Santi (Shanti), Niramit (Nirmita), and many more! Credits: Unsplash

6. Similar Festivals

[{"selector":"#anim-046e05c8-7261-4a15-ab0d-d39ed1903fd9 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Thailand even has similar festivals like Loy Krathong, which is basically Thai’s Diwali and Songkran which is like Holi. Credits: Unsplash

[{"selector":"#anim-4ae0cb31-1c2f-4bdf-a1a0-73129d755226 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Which of these similarities did you find most interesting? Credits: Unsplash