The Values of Thais and Khmers: Reflections in Proverbs

Abstract

The objective of this article is to compare the values of Thais and Khmers reflected in proverbs. Three types of values under investigation are religious, individual and social, and living values. The results indicated that Thais and Khmers shared similar religious values because the aforementioned values were influenced by Buddhism, which was the main religion of Thais and Khmers. As for the values associated with individuals and society, and ways of life, the study shows that Thais and Khmers have common values because the basic personal traits related to these values are expected in all societies. Such personal traits would enable people to be happy, succeed in life, and live happily with others in society. The differences were only small details that revealed that identities of Thais and Khmers.