Traveling to a foreign land is a humbling and life-changing experience for people who want to go outside their comfort zones. The goal is always to learn new ways of life and immerse in different cultures.
For countries that are steeped in spirituality and ethnic tradition like Thailand, a few things need to be remembered before hopping on the plane. Here are 10 Thai customs to know for those who will be traveling to The Land of Smiles.
Thai customs to know before traveling to Thailand
Practice the ‘wai’ gesture
Thais are known for being very respectful and polite. The first greeting tourists need to remember is how to say hello with both palms together, like in a prayer.
Women greet Thais by saying ‘sa waa dii ka,’ while men greet them with ‘sa waa kii krap.’ This is complemented by a ‘wai’ gesture where people make a praying position, level the palms with the nose, and then bow slowly. Tourists will see the gesture everywhere they go, whether arriving or leaving a restaurant, greeting a monk or when meeting new locals.
Sometimes, the ‘wai’ is done to say thank you or ‘kap khun ka’ or when saying a prayer inside temples. Knowing this simple Thai custom will help travelers say hello, goodbye, and express gratitude while maintaining politeness.
Dress appropriately by covering shoulders and knees
The weather in Thailand is very humid. Foreigners who are not used to the hot weather may think that wearing sleeveless tops and shorts is a good idea, but this actually disrespects Thai people’s conservative culture.
Major cities like Bangkok are open to foreigners wearing anything they please, but some cities and provinces prohibit clothes that reveal the shoulders and knees. It’s not necessary to buy Thai clothing to conform with Thailand’s customs and traditional practices, but it pays to show that travelers appreciate and respect their culture.
As for footwear, tourists can wear loafers or slip-ons that are easy to remove. This is necessary when visiting temples, people’s homes, restaurants, and other establishments.
Never speak ill of the Thai government or The Royal Family
The Royal Family is revered throughout Thailand. After six decades of public service, laws have been implemented that forbid the Thai press and citizens from insulting or embarrassing the government. Since there is absolute reverence, especially to the King, his image may be found almost everywhere in Thailand: buildings, restaurants, bus stops, and on taxi dashboards.
It is important to avoid talking about any country’s government, especially for first-time visitors. In Thailand, tourists can be misunderstood when speaking about the Royal Family, which could lead to legal implications.
Never point using toes or touching someone’s head
About 94% of Thailand‘s population are Buddhists, which means that Thais pay high regard to Buddha–from its teachings to temples and from statues to holy relics. It is considered offensive to Thais when someone points their feet in Buddha’s direction.
Thais believe that the feet are the lowest and dirtiest part of a human body, so it’s best to avoid actions that involve the use of feet like raising your feet into stools, grabbing things using toes or stepping over people.
At the same time, Thais believe that the head is the holiest part of a person’s body. Everyone is prohibited to touch someone else’s head because of this Buddhist teaching.
Avoid hugging or shaking hands
Thais are warm and very welcoming, especially to tourists. But as part of Thailand’s customs, Thais don’t show any form of physical affection in public. It is never proper to initiate a hug or shake hands even for business purposes. The best way to show respect and warm regards to Thais is by making a ‘wai’ gesture.
Exceptions to this custom are made for families and very close friends. For first-time visitors in Thailand who will be meeting their relatives, initiating a hug would not be a problem.
Remove shoes before entering a store or temple
One of the most important Thai customs tourists need to remember is removing the shoes or slippers before entering any premises, particularly Buddhist temples. There are signs in English that will remind tourists to do so. Having the initiative to remove footwear before entering the wat or any holy establishment will show that you are respectful.
The same goes when tourists are entering their host’s homes. Shoes are forbidden inside Thai houses; some homeowners who are familiar with Western culture may let it pass, but it’s best to remove shoes at all times.
When entering a store, do the same. Look at what the owner of the store is wearing on his or her feet; if the owner is barefoot, that signals that all guests should do the same.
Don’t be too direct when speaking
Since Thais are known for their politeness, they won’t directly tell you what they want or need to avoid causing any inconvenience to anybody. Thais take into account the feelings of the person they’re talking to, so they indirectly communicate what they want to say.
Tourists need to do the same thing when talking to Thai locals. They need to avoid being too direct with instructions, suggestions, or opinions to avoid hurting anyone’s feelings. If something needs to be said directly, say it calmly and with a smile to avoid coming across as insensitive or rude.
Be still when the Thai national anthem is being aired
The Thai government has introduced ways on how Thailand can practice a deeper sense of nationalism. One way to do this is by airing the national anthem twice daily. For tourists who will be hearing this, it’s important to stand when the anthem is played, whether they’re walking down the street or eating out.
The national anthem is also played in cinemas, concerts, sporting events, and other happenings where people gather to celebrate.
Don’t stress about the small stuff
‘Mai pen rai’ is the most common Thai phrase that tourists will hear wherever they go to Thailand. It could mean a lot of things, depending on the context and how it is used: it could mean ‘never mind’ so as to keep cool in annoying situations. It could also mean ‘it’s okay’ to avoid the other person from worrying. It also means ‘you’re welcome.’
Since it’s the Land of Smiles, everything is taken with a sense of light-heartedness. Don’t take anything seriously and just say ‘mai pen rai’ when things are getting a little too tough.
Learn to use a squat toilet
One of the most important Thailand customs anyone traveling to the country should remember is how to use a squat toilet. In western countries, toilets that flush on their own can be found anywhere. In Thailand, however, guests need to get used to flushing their own toilets using a pail of water or flush manually using a hose.
There are two types of toilets available for use in Thailand: the one where people squat on and pee or the one that’s western-looking. Unless the guest stays in a fancy hotel, there are no available self-flushing toilets available in Thailand. Travelers also need to bring their toilet paper if they’re not comfortable using water to clean themselves.
