Friendly Reminder

THAI FRIENDLY REMINDER

The Royal Highness Majesty the King Rama 9 and his Queen of the Kingdom of Thailand

GETTING ALONG IN THAILAND
The people of Thailand are renown throughout the world for their tolerance, hospitality and friendly smiles. All the same, as a visitor to the land of a thousand smiles you may find it helpful to be aware of certain Dos and DON’Ts thus avoiding unintentional miscues. Actually, most of these are only a simple matter of common sense combined with good manners. Not so much different than you would act in your home country but a few significant enough to mention.

His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun

THE MONARCHY
Thai people hold their King, Queen and the Royal Family in reverent respect and as a visitor to Thailand, you should do show the same respect.

Buddhist Thai Temple

RELIGION
Thai law is very specific in regards to religious offenses. These laws not only cover Buddhism, the major religion of the country, but apply to the other faiths represented in the Kingdom as well. Here are a few reminders when visiting religious places. Do dress neatly. Do not go shirtless or in shorts, hot pants or other unsuitable attire. Remove your shoes when entering a temple. Buddhist priests are forbidden to touch or to be touched by women. All Buddha Images, large or small, ruined or not, are regarded as sacred do not make anything that would indicate a lack of respect.


SOCIAL CUSTOMS Thais do not normally shake hands when greeting one another but instead, pressing their palms together in a prayer like fashion called a “WAI”. Notice how the Thais do it and you’ll soon catch on. It is considered very rude to the foot at a person or even to point out an object with the foot. Try to avoid doing so even when sitting down the conception being the foot is the lowest part of the body. In the same right, Thais consider the head as the highest part of the body both literally and figuratively. They don’t approve of being touched there even in a friendly gesture. Similarly, you may notice the younger Thai people try with great effort to keep their heads lower than those of the older one to avoid giving the impression of “looking down” on them. Public displays of affection are frowned upon. Losing your temper, to the Thai way of thinking, exhibit poor manners. Visitors to Thailand should call Thais by their first name, not the surname and use the word “Khun” in front. This work is equivalent of “Mister”, “Miss” and “Misses”. You are expected to remove your shoes before entering a Thais house, like temple, mentioned above.

Courtesy picture of Bai Bua Restaurant @Patong-Phuket.

DINING
To get a waiters attention, a wave of your hand is all that’s needed. Refrain from clapping, hissing or snapping fingers. Usually a tip of 10-20 Baht or 5-10 % of the bill should be given when dining in a middle, or high class restaurants.

DRIVING-RIDING & WALIKING
Visitors to Thailand should be known that the traffic law of Thai kingdom is driving, riding on the left hand side of the street. For those who walking on the street please always reminds walking on the right hand side of yourself. Because cars and motorcycles are driving and riding on the left side of the street, you, Visitors to Thailand, should be walking on the right hand side yourself. For your safety and enjoyment of travelling in Thailand, do not forget to remind yourself for driving or riding on the left of the street, and walking on the right hand side of yourself.

We wish you enjoying pleasant and amazing travelling in Thailand.