One of the main reasons people travel is to explore
other cultures and establish how other countries and
cultures do things. It is then quite remarkable then
to see people wandering around the kingdom imposing
their cultural approach on the situations and events
they encounter. Often these leads to confusion, worse,
it sometimes leads to ugly scenes that are entirely
avoidable with a modicum on insight on how things are
done in Thailand.
The Monarchy
The monarchy is revered by all Thais and people
will simply will not tolerate any lack respect towards
any members of the royal family – past or present.
If you come from a culture like that in the United
Kingdom, where royals are often in the news and are
sometimes subject to criticism, be especially careful.
Criticism of the king and royal family is not just
frowned upon in Thailand; it is against the law – a
punishable offence that is taken very seriously.
Religion
Thailand’s national religion is Buddhism
(although there are significant numbers of Muslims and
a minority group of Christians) and it is very
important to be respectful as far as the religion is
concerned. Always dress ‘politely’ when entering a
temple or religious shrine. As you are on holiday in a
hot country, your perspective of polite dress might be
coloured by the situation you are in. However, shorts,
bikinis, tops that show your bare arms, skirts that
show your legs, open-toed sandals and generally dirty
or unkempt attire is considered inappropriate. In some
of the larger temples like Wat Prakeaw guards will
actually forbid you from entering if you are dressed
inappropriately, and you may have to hire sarongs and
strips of material to cover yourself up before being
permitted to enter. At the smaller temples you are own
your own – do the right thing!
Buddha Images
Buddha images are sacred, whatever size or
condition. Never climb on a Buddha image, and be very
careful about taking photos – some images are so
sacred photographs are forbidden. Abide by this rule
or you may even be asked to leave. If you can’t
cross your legs, don’t sit on the floor in front of
temple’s Buddha image – in doing so you will point
your feet at the Buddha which is an act of sacrilege
(see Feet below).
Monks
Buddhist monks are not allowed to touch or be
touched by a woman or accept anything a woman might
offer. If a woman wants to give something to a monk it
must first be given to a man, or put on a piece of
cloth. The monk will then drag the cloth to him before
picking the item up. Likewise a monk will not shake a
man’s hand – that type of contact is forbidden.
Monks travel on public transport and require the same
respect there as they would receive at the temple. If
a bus or train, etc. is crowded and a monk is likely
to come into contact with people, do not hesitate to
give the monk your seat. Often special seats are
allocated for monks only – don’t sit in them!
Shoes
Do not wear shoes inside a temple where Buddha
images are kept. Take your shoes off before entering
someone’s home.
Greetings
Thais do not shake hands; they ‘wai’ – a
gesture made by placing your hands together in front
of your face a bowing a little. Generally, you should
not wai to a child and a younger person should wai an
older person first. However, these rules are possibly
a little more flexible as far as a foreigner is
concerned, the Thais you wai will generally very much
appreciate you delving into the local custom and
practice.
The Head
Whereas in the west a friendly pat on the head,
especially the head of someone a bit younger than you,
will be regarded as a friendly and supportive gesture,
in Thailand any gesture towards the head will cause
Thais to recoil and will be greeted with shock and
possibly annoyance. Thais regard the head as the
highest part of the body – the temple of the body as
it were. As such touching someone’s head is entirely
unacceptable.
The Feet
Whereas the head is the highest point of the body,
the feet are the lowest. Do not point at things with
your feet, and do not point the palms of your feet at
anyone (see Buddha Images above).
Shouting and Shows of Annoyance
In Thailand shouting and shows of annoyance are
entirely frowned upon, whatever the situation. There
may be times when you face frustrations, do so quietly
a calmly. Shouting and showing annoyance are signs of
lack of discipline and in doing either you are in fact
showing yourself up. This might lead to the Thai you
are talking to trying to help you ‘save face’ by
smiling and possibly even laughing to defuse the
situation.
Drugs
Thailand takes drugs very seriously and is trying
to eradicate unlawful drugs entirely. Don’t either
partake or trade in illegal substances. Clubs and
places of entertainment are sometimes raided and
people made to put forward urine samples. If you test
positive, penalties will be harsh. Trading in drugs
will lead to the death penalty or likely decades in
prison.
General
Kissing, cuddling and similar behaviour are frowned
upon if in public – especially amongst older Thais.
Younger Thais are unlikely to be as shocked, but to
avoid their possible discomfort, avoid the behaviour.
