"American Style" management versus "Thai Style"

I'm dealing with this issue at work and I'm not sure how to fix it.  I am used to managing teams of IT professionals that are self-motivated.  I tell them what I what to achieve and they figure out how to do it.  I rarely have had to tell them "This is exactly how you must do this task".

I myself never like to be told what to do.  I get paid a lot of money to think for myself and use my unique skills to complete an objective.  Otherwise, why would they want or need me?

Here in BKK, I have found that it does not quite work that way.  I find myself looking at blank faces when I give the goal, but not the method.  Nobody wants to step up and take a new project unless it is defined to the minutest of details. 

So, I meet with our wise HR Oracle and explain my frustration.  She tells me that the Thais are not used to what she termed "American Style" management.  In Thailand, they are rarely given the opportunity to voice criticism of an idea from someone above them in the hierarchy.  They like to have a clear path drawn and the goals and milestones to that path illuminated.

With that info, now I must think about my mindset and expectations.  I have begun to examine my frustrations as my own preconcieved notions of how to do business rather than external forces.  At least I have something to think about and bang ideas off of.