Thailand Etiquette and Customs to Know

Thailand Etiquette Do’s ✅

Greet with a Wai

The traditional Thai greeting is called a “wai”, which involves placing your palms together in a prayer-like gesture and bowing your head slightly. This is the most common form of greeting in Thailand and is used to show respect and gratitude. When in doubt, it’s always best to greet someone with a wai.

 Remove Your Shoes

In Thailand, it is customary to remove your shoes before entering someone’s home, a temple, or even some shops. Just simply ask if you’re unsure, they get these questions from tourists all the time. It’s also important to note that you should never point your feet at someone, as this is considered rude. (not while standing but raising and pointing)

Dress Modestly When Visiting a Temple

Thailand is a predominantly Buddhist country, and as such, it’s important to dress modestly out of respect for the culture and religion. This involves ensuring that you cover your shoulders and knees, particularly when visiting temples or other religious sites. It’s also a good idea to avoid wearing revealing clothing in these situations. There is a time and place in Bangkok but not in religious sites.

Use Your Right Hand

In Thai culture, the left hand is considered unclean, so it’s important to use your right hand for all interactions, including handing over money, receiving items, and eating. This is especially important when dining, as it’s considered rude to use your left hand to handle food.

Show Respect for Monks

Monks hold a special place in Thai society, and it’s important to show them respect. When in the presence of a monk, it’s customary to lower your head and avoid making direct eye contact. If you’re a woman, it’s also important to avoid touching a monk or handing them anything directly.

Thailand Etiquette Don’ts ❌

Don’t Touch People’s Heads

In Thai culture, the head is considered the most sacred part of the body, and it’s considered rude to touch someone’s head, even playfully. This is especially important to remember when interacting with children, as it’s common for Westerners to ruffle a child’s hair, but this is considered disrespectful in Thailand.

Don’t Disturb the Peace

Thais value harmony and avoiding confrontation, so it’s important to keep your voice calm and avoid raising it in public. This is especially important when dealing with any issues or conflicts, as getting angry or aggressive will only make the situation worse. Even if you are not angry but just having a good time with a group of friends, be mindful of others in public, as all Thais follow this as well.

Don’t Show Affection in Public

While it’s common for couples to show affection in public in Western countries, this is not the case in Thailand. Public displays of affection, such as kissing or hugging, are considered inappropriate and should be avoided.

Don’t Disrespect the King or Royal Family

The Thai monarchy is highly revered in Thailand, and it’s considered extremely disrespectful to speak ill of the king or any member of the royal family. It’s also important to note that it’s illegal to deface or damage images of the king or royal family, so be mindful of this when handling money or other items with their image on it.

Cultural Norms

Smile Often

Thailand is known as the “Land of Smiles”, and for good reason. Smiling is an important part of Thai culture and is seen as a way to show friendliness and approachability. So don’t be afraid to smile and greet people, even if you don’t know them.

Show Respect for Elders

In Thai culture, elders are highly respected and hold a special place in society. It’s important to show respect to older people, even if you don’t know them. This can be done through a wai or by using polite language and gestures.

Don’t Point Your Feet at Buddha Images

When visiting temples or other religious sites, it’s important to show respect for Buddha images. This means not pointing your feet at them, as this is considered disrespectful. If you’re sitting on the ground, make sure your feet are tucked behind you or to the side.