Do's & Don'ts in Thailand

Thailand is just celebrated for its tolerance and hospitality, and the average tourist will have no difficulty in adjusting to the local customs. All the same, as when coming into find it helpful to be aware of certain do's and don'ts and thus avoid giving accidental offense.

THE MONARCHY

The Thai people have a deep, traditional reverence for their Royal Family, and a visitor should also be careful to show respect for the King, the Queen, and the Royal Children. In a cinema, for example, a portrait of the King is shown during the playing of the royal anthem, and the audience is expected to stand. When attending some public event at which a member of the Royal Family is present, the best guide as to how behave is probably to watch the crowd and do what it does.

RELIGION

Thai law has a number of special sections concerning religious offenses, and the cover not only Buddhism, the religion of the majority of the people, but also any other faiths represented in the Kingdom. It is, for instance, unlawful to commit any act, by any means whatever, to an object or a place of religious worship of any community in a manner like to insult the religion.

A few tips on what to do and what not to do on a visit to religious place:

Dress neatly. Don't go shirtless, or in shorts, pants or other unsuitable attire.
It's all right to wear shoes while walking around the compound of a Buddhist temple, but not inside the chapel where the principal Buddha image is kept.
In a Muslim mosque, men should wear head-cover and women should be well-covered with slacks or a long skirt, a long-sleeved blouse buttoned to the neck, and a scarf over the hair. All should remove the mosque and should not be present if there is a religious gathering.
Buddhist priests are forbidden to touch or to be touched by a woman or the accept anything from the hand of one. If a woman has to give anything to a monk or novice, she first hands it to a man who then presents it. Or in case o a woman who wants to present if with her hand, the monk or novice will spread out a piece of saffron robe or handkerchief in front of him, and the woman will lay down the material on the robe which is being held at one end by the monk or novice.
All Buddha images, large or small, ruined or not, are regarded as sacred objects. Hence, don't climb up on one to take a photograph or, generally speaking, do anything that might show a lack of respect.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR

It is easy to get along with Thai people, especially in Samui where they are used to westerners and their strange ways. However they will appreciate it if you respect their customs, it shows politeness and this is a virtue they value very highly indeed.
Keep smiling and people will like you. A smile has a thousand meanings, but will always be well received, it can be used as an apology, and excuse, for thanks, as a sign of embarrassment and of course as a sign of pleasure. Remember you are in the land of smiles and a smile here never hurts or offends - so, keep smiling.
Bargain with good humor. Not only is it fun but will also help you to get the best prices.
Beckon waiters or anyone you wish to talk to with the hand, palm downward, fingers straight crook your figure, clap, snap your fingers or hiss.
Thais DO NOT normally shake hands when they greet one another, but instead press the palms together in a prayer-line gesture called a wai. Generally, a younger person will wai an elder, who returns it. Watch how the Thais do it, and you will soon learn.
It is considered rude to point your foot at a person, so try to avoid doing so when sitting opposite anyone, and following the conception that the foot is a low limb, DO NOT point your foot to show anything to anyone, but use your finger instead.
Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body both literally and figuratively. As a result the DO NOT approve of touching anyone on that part of the body; even in a friendly gesture. Especially avoid patting a Thai an the head (even children) or ruffling their hair. Similarly, if you watch Thais at a social gathering, you will notice that young people go to considerable lengths to keep theirs heads lower than those of the elder ones, to avoid giving the impression of "looking down" on them. This is not always possible, of course, but it is the effort that counts.
Public displays of affection between men and women are frowned upon. You may see some very Westernised young Thai couples holding hands, but that is the extent of the displaying of affection in this polite society.
Losing your temper, especially in public, will more than likely get you nowhere. The Thais think such displays denote poor manners, and you are more apt to get what you want by keeping a cool had and concealing your emotions.
NEVER publicly humiliate Thai people, it causes them to lose face, which is the worst thing that can happen to them. Not only is it crued and unkind, but their reaction may be unpredictable.
DO NOT be surprised if you are addressed by your first name; for instance, Mr. Bob or Miss Mary instead of by your surname. This is because Thais refer to one another in this manner, usually with the title "Khun" (Mr., Mrs., or Miss) in front. Follow the customs of any country as far as possible, and you will make more friends during your stay. The more friends during your stay. The more friends you make, the more you will want to return to Thailand.
Please say "Thank you" or smile your appreciation. The Thai phrase is "Kop Khun Krap" by man an "Kop Khun Kha" by a woman.
Relax, take it easy - at least at the beginning of your stay. You will soon come to appreciate and enjoy the Thai's laid-back attitude to time and punctuality. Keep pressure for when you get home!