Jingjok
Who speaks first in a Thai meeting
pûu-baw-rí-hǎan
Thai meetings often follow the hierarchy in the room. The most senior person opens, frames the issue and usually closes, and juniors speak when invited. Openly contradicting a senior in front of others can cause them to lose face, so disagreement tends to happen before or after the meeting, in a private chat or on LINE. When the chair asks มีใครมีคำถามไหม, silence is normal and doesn't mean everyone agrees. If you lead a meeting, ask individuals directly and gently, invite written comments afterwards, and thank people for their input. Arriving with the agenda (วาระ) and a short written summary afterwards is appreciated in a culture that values preparation and harmony.
Try this today
After your next meeting, send a two-line summary and ask for comments by LINE.
Learn this in “Meetings, emails, negotiation” →
Your first 90 days of Thai
Culture cards in Jingjok are tied to the words that carry them, each ending in one thing to try today.
- WEEKS 1–2 · SURVIVEGreet anyone, pay, and order food and 7-Eleven exactly how you like it.
- WEEKS 3–6 · SETTLE INGet around by taxi, Grab and skytrain, find anything, and handle your landlord.
- WEEKS 7–12 · RUN YOUR LIFEPharmacy, bank, SIM and apps, how you feel, and a weekend away, all in Thai.
The first week is free.