I have spent quite a lot of the last four years in Thailand. Whilst here and back in the U.K., I have done quite a lot of research into various aspects of Thai culture and psychology. I understand that here the main drive is toward social harmony and there are many social ‘mechanisms’ that are practiced to facilitate this. I understand the concept of ‘face’ as practiced in Japan, where it is largely based on factors such as dignity, personal honour and integrity. But in Thailand this seems a whole different ball game. As my GF says “in Thailand, the truth can get you killed”. However when I question her about how having and maintaining ‘face’ (whether based on fact or as seems more the case, based on fiction) is engendered into the Thai individual, because in doing so condones many practices that are viewed in the West as negatives, under the general headings of dishonesty, shirking responsibility for one’s actions etc., I get little or no response. I am not surprised as explaining might well bring about a loss of face for her. I am therefore interested in any information as to how permissibility for false ‘face’ is socialised into the Thai individual, as this seems to allow the individual to be and be known to be a quite a loathsome, irresponsible, sort of person yet also allows them to feel aggrieved if their character is in any way questioned. Most perplexing.