How to behave in Thailand

Thailand is known for its tolerance and hospitality and the average tourist will have no difficulty in adjusting to the local customs. All the same, as when coming into any unfamiliar society, a visitor may find it helpful to be aware of certain do's and don'ts and thus avoid giving accidental offense. Basically, most of these are simply a matter of common sense and good manners, not really all that different from the way one would behave in one's own country, but a few are special enough to be pointed out.

 

Regarding the Monarchy:

Please don’t do or say anything that offend the Royal Family. The King and the Royal Family are held in highest regard and are respected deeply by Thais.

When attending some public event at which a member of the Royal Family in present, the best guide as to how to behave is probably to watch the crowd and do what the crowd does.

 

Regarding Social Customs:

The do's and don'ts of Thai social behaviour are less clearly defined than those concerning the monarchy or religion - especially in a city like Bangkok where Western customs are better known and more widely accepted. However, what is acceptable in Bangkok may be much less so in the countryside where the old habits are still strong. Here, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Please do “wai” when greeting Thai people, simply by pressing the hand palms together like in a prayer. Thais don't normally shake hands when they greet one another and generally a younger person “wais” an older, who returns it.

Please don’t show physical affection to each other in public, this is not appropriate.

Please don't be surprised if you are addressed by your first name as for instance, Mr. Bob or Miss Mary (instead of by your surname). This is because Thais refer to one another in this manners, usually with the title "Khun" (Mr., Mrs. or Miss) in front.

Please do remove your shoes when entering a Thai home when you are invited to visit somebody in his/ her home. Do the same at other places where Thai people do so too.

Please don’t point your foot at a person. Thai people consider the foot as a low limb, so it would be very rude use your feet to make any sort of indication, but use your finger instead. Please don’t rest your feet on tables or chairs.

Please don’t pat or tap any one on the head, even though it’s supposed to be friendly. Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body, literally and figuratively.

Regarding Religion:

Please do show respect at all times for Buddhism and anything associated with the Buddhist religion. All Buddha images, large or small, ruïne or not, are regarded as sacred objects. Don’t climb up on one or pose in front of images of the Buddha to take photographs. You will insult Thai people deeply if you offend Buddhism these ways.

Please do show respect at all times for Buddhism and anything associated with the Buddhist religion. Shorts, sleeveless shirts, tops or unsuitable attire are unacceptable when entering Buddhist temples. If you look at the Thais around you, you'll see the way they would prefer you to be dressed which, in fact is probably not very different from the way you'd dress in similar place back home

Please don’t touch a priest when you are a woman. Buddhist priests are forbidden to touch or to be touched by a woman or to accept anything from the hand of one. If a woman has to give something to a monk or novice, she first hands it to a man, who then presents it. Or in case of a woman who wants to present it with her hand, the monk or novice will spread out a piece of saffron robe or handkerchief in front of him and the woman will lay down the material on the robe which is being held at one end by the monk or novice.

Please do take of your shoes when entering the chapel where the principal Buddha image is kept. Don’t worry about the dirt, the floors of such places are usually clean. It is acceptable to wear shoes while walking around the compound of a Buddhist temple.

In a Muslim mosque, men should wear hats and women should be well-covered with slacks or a long skirt, a long sleeved blouse buttoned to the neck and a scarf over the hair. All should remove their shoes before entering the mosque and should not be present if there is a religious gathering.

Summary: When going to Thailand, dress nice, be polite, use some of the local language and you'll be assured a rewarding time. Also, it can't hurt to try understanding the locals' sense of pride.