Getting Around Thailand – The Dos and Don’ts

Thailand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. The Land of Smiles, as the country is called, boasts of beautiful beaches and friendly atmosphere, beckoning you to visit.

I’ve been to Thailand a couple of times. In fact, during my recent visit, I stayed there for a total of 4 months.  Yes, I stayed there for that long which is why it has become my favorite country next to the Philippines. Because of that long stay, I had the opportunity to observe and embrace their rich culture.

Here are dos and don’ts when you visit Thailand.

DO

Dress properly

Thailand has numerous Buddhist temples. It’s important that you show respect when visiting one. Make sure that your shoulders and knees are covered before entering any temple. If possible, try to dress the way Thai locals do when they visit temples. They get offended whenever people don’t dress properly when going to sacred places, as they consider it disrespect. It could even mean jail time!

Take your shoes off

On a similar note, Thai people are not particularly fond of feet. It’s crucial that you expect to be taking your shoes off when entering temples and other places of historical and cultural significance – you might even be needing to take them off when entering certain shops and similar establishments. In Thailand, feet are considered dirty and need to be kept on the floor at all times, which means there’s no putting your feet up in public or using them to point or move something. It sounds easy, but we’re unconsciously accustomed to using our feet much more than we think!

‘Wai’

What’s ‘wai’, I hear you ask? Wai is the traditional way of greeting in Thailand. Whereas Westerners are used to shaking hands or hugging people, in Thailand, it’s customary to place both hands in a praying-like form towards your chest, pointing outwards at whoever you’re greeting before bowing. You’ll be seeing it often in Thailand and so it’s unlikely you’ll forget about it, but a local may be shocked if you extend your hand or reach in for an embrace!

Respect the Thai national anthem

At 8 am and 6 pm every day, public places in Thailand hear the country’s national anthem. It’s also played on TV and radio stations as well as in schools, and the flag is raised and lowered. You can probably tell it’s crucially important in Thai culture, and so it’s important you don’t go out of your way to disrespect it. Tourists and travellers aren’t expected to participate in the recital, but it’ll be wise to take a moment and stand still as it plays – it’s a show of respect, and won’t get you into trouble!

DON’T

Touch a Thai’s head

This is an important one. In Thailand, the head is considered to be the most important part of the body. It’s a spiritual concept but it holds great importance in Thai culture, and so it’s not wise to touch anybody’s head, ruffle someone’s hair, or pat a child (all things that we commonly do at home). The only exception to this is when lovers are in the privacy of their home, but in public it’s a big no-no. Make sure to apologize profusely if you do accidentally come into contact with someone’s head, and do your best to avoid it!

Disrespect the monarchy

It has to be said that the Western monarchy doesn’t expect strict levels of respect from the people it oversees. The Thai monarchy, however, isn’t the same. Insulting the monarchy in Thailand is actually a criminal offence, and has led to jail time for many in the past. Tourists, you’re not exempt! The country’s lèse-majesté laws state that “whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, Queen, Heir-Apparent or Regent shall be punished with imprisonment of three to fifteen years.” The recent passing of His Majesty, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, has led to a year-long mourning period where flags have been raised at half-mast and people are expected to wear dark clothing, as outlined by 1Cover. Disrespecting the monarchy is not something you’re likely to do, but just be vigilant and watch what you’re saying in public.

Shout in public

Buddhism is obviously influential in Thailand’s culture and way of life. It’s a very peaceful movement, and so it’s disrespectful to raise your voice or get visibly upset or angry in public. Thai people are renowned for being calm, collected and extremely friendly – it’s how the country got its nickname of “Land of Smiles.” While on your travels, Travel Fish say it’s important to stay jai yen (cool heart) and return the same positive attitude to the people you meet. That’s not to say everyone will act the same, however – some shopkeepers and taxi drivers may not be as welcoming, but you’ll find that they are much friendlier than the people back home.

Disrespect the Buddha in any form

It’s common knowledge that the Buddha is the primary figure in Buddhism, an “enlightened” human being who is now held to the greatest respect in Thailand. It comes as no surprise, then, that disrespecting, defacing or ruining any images of the Buddha is, once again, a criminal offence. To go against such a highly-respected icon of Thai culture is awfully ignorant and upsetting for locals, as is climbing on or touching any sculptures or monuments of the Buddha. Make sure to treat any forms of the Buddha with utmost respect wherever you go.

I hope some of my tips will give you an idea on what and what not to do in Thailand. Just remember that all beliefs, religions, and cultures deserve an equal amount of respect. Even if they don’t mean anything to you, they mean the world to them. A taste of Thailand’s culture is surely worth experiencing.