Thai Braids vs African Braids: What’s the Difference?
When it comes to braids, there are so many styles that it can be hard to know what a hairstyle is called or where it comes from.
You may see a braid on social media and think, “Is this box braids? Is it ‘African braids’? Or is it Thai braids?” And honestly, I understand why you may be confused, especially when two different braid styles can look very similar.
One question people ask is: What is the difference between Thai braids and African braids? Are they the same thing? Do they use the same method? Do they use attachment? And why do some Thai braids look almost like the African braids we already know?
These are good questions because when you search for Thai braids online, you may come across different hairstyles. Some of them may look very simple and natural, while others may remind you of box braids or other African braid styles.
This can make you wonder if Thai braids are just another name for African braids or if there is actually a difference between them.
African braids, on the other hand, are very popular and come in many different styles. We have box braids, cornrows, Fulani braids, Ghana braids, knotless braids, stitch braids, and many others. So when someone says “African braids,” they are “ot talking about just one particular hairstyle. Different African cultures have different braid styles, and each can have its own way of being made and styled.
Thai braids also have their own history and traditional styles. One example you may come across is Phom Pia, a traditional Thai braided hairstyle. Some of these styles can look quite different from the African braids you may be familiar with, while some can look surprisingly similar.
That’s where things can get a little confusing.
Just because two braids look alike does not always mean they are the same hairstyle. The way the hair is braided, the type of hair used, the cultural background, and the hairstyle’s purpose can all differ.
So, if you have ever looked at a Thai braid and thought, “Wait, isn’t this just African braids? You are not the only one asking that question.
In this article, we’ll get straight to the point. I will explain the main differences between them. I will also talk about Phom Pia braids, whether Thai braids are the same as box braids, whether attachment is used, and which one may last longer.
By the end of this article, you should have a better understanding of Thai braids and African braids and why they may sometimes look similar even though they are not necessarily the same.
So, sit back, relax, and let’s get into it.
Thai Braids vs African Braids: What Is the Difference?
Now that we have talked about what Thai braids and African braids are, let’s look at the main differences between them.
At first, you may look at both hairstyles and think they are the same, especially when they are made into individual braids. But when you look a little closer, there are some differences you should know about.
1. Their Cultural Background Is Different
The first major difference is where the braiding traditions come from.
Thai braids are connected to Thai hairstyling traditions and Thai culture, while African braids come from different cultures and communities across Africa.
And because Africa has many different countries and cultures, there is no single African braid style. Different African communities have developed different ways of braiding and styling hair over the years.
So, even if a Thai braid and an African braid look similar, their cultural backgrounds can still be different.
2. The Way the Hair Is Made Can Be Different
Another difference is the way the hairstyle is created.
Some traditional Thai braid styles are made by braiding the person’s natural hair. Phom Pia, for example, is a traditional Thai braided hairstyle that uses natural hair.
African braid styles can also be made with natural hair, but many popular styles today use braiding attachments.
For example, with box braids, you can add attachments to make the braids longer, thicker, and fuller.
However, this does not mean every African braid uses attachments; it depends on the particular hairstyle and how the person chooses to install it.
3. African Braids Have More Different Styles
When it comes to variety, African braids have so many different styles.
We have:
- Box braids
- Knotless braids
- Cornrows
- Fulani braids
- Ghana braids
- Stitch braids
- Tribal braids
- Feed-in braids
- And many more
Some are braided close to the scalp, while others are individual braids hanging freely.
Thai braids also have different styles, but the term doesn’t cover the same wide range of African braid styles.
That said, you shouldn’t think of Thai braids and African braids as two single hairstyles. Both terms can cover different styles, but African braids, especially, are a very broad category.
4. They Can Look Similar
This is probably the part that confuses people the most.
Some Thai braids can look very similar to African braids.
For example, when you see individual braids hanging down from the head, you may immediately think of box braids. But two hairstyles looking alike does not necessarily mean they are the same hairstyle.
Think about it this way: two people can wear a similar dress, but that does not mean they bought the dress from the same place or that the dress has the same cultural meaning.
The same thing can happen with hairstyles.
So, if you see a Thai braid that looks like a box braid, don’t be too quick to say, “That is African braids.” It may look similar, but you need to look at how it was made and its cultural background.
5. The Use of Attachment Can Be Different
Another way to tell the difference is by the use of attachment.
Traditional Thai braided hairstyles such as Phom Pia are generally associated with using natural hair. African braid styles, especially modern protective styles, often use additional braiding hair.
For example, if you want very long box braids, your natural hair may not be long enough to achieve the length you want. So, the stylist adds hair extensions.
This is one reason why many African braid styles can come in any different lengths, sizes, and colors.
But again, don’t take this as a strict rule. A braid isn’t automatically Thai or African just because it wasn’t attached to a specific hairstyle, and its background matters.
6. The Styling Options Are Different
African braids give you plenty of room to play with your hairstyle.
You can choose small, medium, large, or jumbo braids. You can add different colors, curls, beads, patterns, or combine two different braiding techniques.
For example, you can have rows in front and individual box braids in back. You can also add curly ends or accessories to make the hairstyle look completely different.
Thai traditional hairstyles can also be styled in different ways, but they have their own traditional appearance and cultural background.
So, if you are looking for a hairstyle with lots of modern variations, you will find plenty of options among African braid styles.
So, Are Thai Braids and African Braids the Same?
No, they are not the same.
Some Thai braids may look similar to African braids, and that is where the confusion comes from. But their cultural backgrounds and traditional hairstyling practices can be different.
Also, remember that “African braids” is a very broad term. It covers many different hairstyles from different African cultures. So comparing Thai braids with African braids is not really comparing two single hairstyles.
It is more like comparing Thai braiding traditions with the many different braiding traditions found across Africa.
If you want to learn about more types of African braid styles, you can also check out my article on 15 Types of Braids: From Box Braids to Fishtail Braids, where I cover different braid styles you may want to try.
Conclusion
So, what is the difference between Thai braids and African braids?
The main difference is their cultural background and the different braiding traditions they come from. Thai braids are connected to Thai hairstyling traditions, while African braids include many different braid styles from different parts of Africa.
Some traditional Thai braids, such as Phom Pia, can look similar to individual African braid styles like box braids. This is why it can be easy to confuse them when you only look at the finished hairstyle.
However, looking similar does not mean they are the same.
African braids also give you many different options, including box braids, cornrows, Fulani braids, Ghana braids, knotless braids, and many others. Some use natural hair, while many modern styles use attached extensions for length and thickness.
So, the next time you see a Thai braid that looks like an African braid, don’t assume they’re the same hairstyle or share the same cultural origin.n
At the end of the day, both Thai and African braiding traditions have beautiful hairstyles worth learning about and appreciating. What matters is understanding where the style comes from and knowing the difference instead of assuming that every braid is the same.
If you enjoyed this article, you can also check out my other braid articles for more ideas on different braid styles and how to care for your braids.