Dos and Dont’s in Thailand

We routinely encounter a range of cultures in our daily lives, often without realizing it, but this becomes particularly noticeable when we embark on a vacation. It’s important to be mindful to make sure you don’t inadvertently cause offense due to insensitive or thoughtless actions.

Those who’ve experienced Thailand firsthand undoubtedly absorb certain customary courtesies along the way, like the traditional wai gesture (hands clasped together) when meeting someone.

We’ve made this basic collection of dos and don’ts in Thailand, some of which are common sense, while others can be learned through reading or guidance from locals in the “land of smiles”.

Dos

Take off Your Shoes

In Thailand, it’s like there’s an unwritten rule: when you’re about to walk into someone’s home, temple, or shop, it’s time to take off your shoes. Now, don’t go thinking this applies to the party scene around places like Chaweng Beach—nope, there, shoes are like the VIPs of the scene. However, if the place has a no-shoes policy, you will notice a gathering of footwear outside. This is largely in the more traditional shops that are found on the island as well as some Internet shops.

Respect for the Monarchy

Thais hold their monarchy in high regard. Show utmost respect when the royal anthem is played and when discussing the monarchy.

Visit Temples

A trip to Thailand is never complete without a visit to one of the many temples (wats) on the island. We recommend putting a trip to Ayutthaya on everyone’s to-do list. These religious buildings are the center of the local community and are held in very high regard so take extra care when visiting. Attire for entering a wat should ensure visitors are covered below the knees and past the elbows. Some wats that are geared toward tourism have garments that can be worn over clothes if the person visiting has forgotten to bring appropriate vestments. An easy way to think about appropriate clothing is not to be sexy in any way.

Respect for Buddha

When near images of Buddha or in a temple, be respectful. Don’t climb on statues or use them as photo props.

Leave Tips

Tipping, for service, is not a normal thing in Thailand, but the influence of the Western world has led to more service staff expecting gratuities as part of the norm. When eating in a restaurant and a bill is brought over at the end for payment, it is worth checking if service was included. If it was included then it is down to your own personal choice whether to leave more, say as a bonus. If not, then five to 10 percent is perfectly acceptable if not extreme in some cases.

Stay Safe

Safety is a big concern when holidaying in another country and travelers must take every precaution themselves to ensure their wellbeing. If you hire a motorbike in Thailand, ignore the majority and get yourself a helmet. It may be hot, and it may not look cool, but Samui has the highest fatality rate for foreigner deaths on the roads of the island. Another factor is alcohol, don’t drink and drive just because others are, it is your family that will have to deal with the consequences.

Use SPF

Thailand is a hot place and seeing people looking like lobsters is a daily occurrence for many residents on the island. Staying out of the sun from 11:00 until 15:00 is the best piece of advice to avoid serious skin damage. Do use a high-factor sun lotion even when it is cloudy, as many people forget how easily sunburn can still happen.

Don’ts

Use Illegal Substances

One of the main reasons foreigners get into trouble in Thailand is drugs. Most people are aware of the zero-tolerance Thai take on drugs, and until recently foreign nationals also faced the death sentence when involved in trafficking illicit substances. Many people believe that smoking one joint or taking one ecstasy tablet will not get them in trouble in Thailand but this is wrong, and in many cases, it can lead to a long and very unpleasant jail sentence.

There are cases where tourists have been in clubs and bars and police have raided and arrested them. A week in a 10ft x 10ft cell with seven others, a hole in the floor for a toilet, and the possibility of a longer time after attending court is enough to turn most off drugs. Serious sentences are handed out for just a minute amount of drugs, so stay away altogether.

Sunbath Topless

Female bathers are expected to keep their tops on at all times. Nudity in Thailand is illegal and is frowned upon by Thai nationals, so keep covered up.

Disrespect Locals

Keeping face is a big thing for Thais and they cannot be made to look stupid or wrong in any way. If a Thai person trips and hurts themself quite badly, they will try and laugh it off rather than show humiliation or pain. This goes for everyday life as well as what might happen anywhere on the island.

If, for some reason, an incident happens involving a Thai national, like he spilled a drink, bumped into you, or drove toward you down a one-way street; keep your cool as this is their country. If they are with friends, try to make sure you do not cause them loss of face as they could retaliate to save standing.

This is only in extreme circumstances though and 99 percent of tourists will not be witness to a Thai getting angry or violent as this is not the Buddhist way. But younger Thais are moving away from traditional religious beliefs and can react in unexpected ways if suitably provoked.

Touching the Head

Avoid touching someone’s head, as it is considered the most sacred part of the body.

Prostitution

Another major tourism pull in Thailand is the sex trade and each year tens of thousands of foreign men, and women, come to Thailand purely for this. Prostitution is illegal in the land of smiles, although it may not seem like it when one sees all the bars in the country that are dedicated to this occupation.

Some of the bars try to hide, albeit not very hard, the fact they are a venue for prostitution by advertising karaoke or coyote dancers. Don’t be fooled and don’t take your kids in thinking they are going have a great time singing the latest Lady GaGa song.

We do not recommend heading down this road. Unfortunately, many workers that you see in bars are actually the victims of sex trafficking. The numbers are shocking – there are currently more than 600,000 victims of human trafficking who live in Thailand. Keep your wits about you at all times and don’t fill the mafia’s pockets.

There are many dos and don’ts in Thailand, but the most common thing to remember is to apply common sense. You are in Thailand now, not your own homeland and you must treat the country and the island as a host that is allowing you to enter, and living by their rules is a must.