Thailand Culture Tips

The culture of Thailand has many quirks that are far too numerous to list here. However, this page is intended as a brief guide to help you avoid the most obvious and common gaffes.

One of the most common faux pas committed by foreigners in Thailand is neglecting to remove their shoes when entering people's homes, temples and some shops. It cannot be underestimated how important this is to remember. Always, without fail, you must remove your footwear before entering someone's home and while first time visitors to Thailand may be forgiven for their mistake, it is most certainly frowned upon if you forget this.

On the subject of feet, in Thai culture, it is considered rude to show people the bottom of your feet. Sitting at a train station relaxing with your feet up on your bags pointing upwards for the world to see with result in dirty looks and you will appear ignorant to the local customs. You should remember this at all times and it is also considered very poor manners indeed to nudge someone with your feet to get their attention.

The Thai National Anthem is played daily at 08:00 HRS and 18:00 HRS on television and radio. When in any train or bus station anywhere in Thailand at these times, you will also hear the national anthem played on the dot and everybody will stop what they are doing and stand to attention, without exception. You should do the same out of respect and those around you will most certainly appreciate the gesture.

Being polite is a sign of good character wherever you are in the world but it is particularly important in Thailand. Losing your temper at a hotel reception will only serve to frustrate you further and make you look foolish to the locals. Indeed, they may even be less inclined to help you if you get angry. Raising your voice is considered ugly, counter productive and will get you nowhere. Equally, bawdy hooligans from Europe of the Americas will not make any friends in Thailand. In summary, be respectful, well mannered and downplay yourself and your country, rather than boast... this will win you respect in Thailand. If you boast, it should be to show appreciation of something someone else may have done for you.

The Thais are generally a very happy and friendly people, even when they face extremes of hardship. Even when very poor, Thais will often make a donation at the local temple or to beggars. You should also show kindness and a degree of generosity, where it is deserved.

Thais would rather ignore ugly situations until they have gone away, or find a way to laugh about it. Show them that you are peace loving and kind.

Never underestimate the importance and respect shown to monks in Thailand. You should never touch a monk. Don't even touch their robes. Women should pay particular attention to this point. You may only touch a monk if he first extends his hand and invites you.

Never ever pass in front of someone as they are kneeling to pray at a temple.

If you give a gift in Thailand, you will be thanked and it will usually be put to one side and opened later.

Thais place a lot of importance on the way you dress to convey your status. Thailand is a rather conservative society and you should try to dress accordingly. At work, your shirt should be crisp, clean and in perfect condition.

The Thai Wai

I could write page after page on this subject but I will try to summarise here.

The Wai is a gesture you will see everywhere and every day in Thailand. It is so very often misunderstood by foreigners but with a little thought, you will soon start to instinctively know when to wai and when not to wai.

Basically, it is a greeting and a gesture of respect and is done by pressing your hands together and gently bowing. The depth of your bow indicates your status in comparison to the person you are greeting. It effectively replaces the western equivalent of a handshake but there are more subtleties to a wai.

The best way to learn is by observing. For example, if you are meeting the parents of your girlfriend for the first time, or after a long absence, you would most certainly wai and bow quite deeply to show the respect you have for your spouse's parents. However, when they return the wai, it may only be fleeting and they may not bow very much at all. Similarly, if you are meeting an older and superior colleague, you should again wai and bow a little deeply.

Conversely, it is very unusual for adults to wai a child, even though that child is expected to wai to you... are you getting the picture? It's all about status. Many tourists who visit the bars of the red light districts will make complete asses of themselves by waiing a bargirl or a waitress. It is absurd for you to do so as you are indicating that you have a lower status than them. They may laugh politely if you do this but secretly, they will be deriding you with their friends. It is not necessary to wai people who are in your employ, or those that are providing you with a service, such as your household staff or a taxi driver, for example.

Another absurd image is that of westerners greeting other westerners with a wai. I don't mean when they do it for a laugh, I mean that there are actually people who do it quite seriously with other westerners. It's up to you if you do this I guess but in my opinion, you will look downright stupid as it's just not necessary.

As I said before, just observe and you'll soon understand how it works. You may sometimes see a lower class Thai meeting someone of a very high status or one holding a position of great power and they will make quite a fuss of giving a very respectful and deep wai and the person of status may not even return the wai. It's highly unlikely you will find yourself in such a situation. As a very general guide, you should nearly always wai people that are older than you.

In summary, as a foreigner, you don't really need to know all of the nuances of the wai, just a simple and conservative wai will suffice in most situations. It's not something to be afraid of or shy about and indeed, you will start to feel quite important as people start to greet you with a respectful wai. Don't forget though, try to learn when you should return it or at least acknowledge it, or you will appear to be disrespectful. It is a charming act that you absolutely must learn to use if you are to live in Thailand.