Do’s and Don’ts Thailand
Don’t
Don’t point at people or things with your feet, as these are considered the most inferior part of the body. Sit with your feet pointing away from any Buddha image.
Don’t touch the top of the head of a child (the most superior part of the body).
Don’t lose your temper in public. Thais are generally very polite and calm, but they do have a breaking point.
Don’t assume Thai women are easily available. You may quickly find yourself in hot water.
Don’t take any packages through customs. Drug trafficking carries a severe penalty in Thailand. Also, be careful when handling goods in the duty free section of the airport. A lot of foreigners have been arrested lately at the airport for ‘attempted shop lifting’.
Don’t do drugs in Thailand. Penalties may include hefty fines of up to 100,000 baht, jail time or deportation. Urine tests are sometimes randomly carried out in nightclubs and random road checks are performed. Police can also stop you and search you in the street.
Avoid kissing in public. It is considered impolite. You may likely be arrested for performing sexual acts in public and on the beach.
Don’t buy gems in the street. You won’t get a great deal and will likely be ripped off.
Don’t accept offers from strangers or taxi drivers to take you shopping. They will get commission from the shops they take you to and often you will end up paying over the odds for the goods you buy.
Don’t gamble in Thailand. Gambling is illegal.
Don’t talk about the King or the royals in an offensive way. Thais take this extremely seriously and some writers have found themselves with an arrest warrant for criticizing the King.
Don’t get involved in prostitution in Thailand. The chances of catching an STD are extremely high and so are the chances of getting robbed. It is also illegal.
Don’t buy any bus/plane/travel tickets in the street. Make sure they are registered with the TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) or you may end up with a ticket secured with a stolen credit card.
Don’t smoke indoors. This is illegal. Don’t throw your cigarettes in the street. You will face fines of 2,000 baht or higher.
Don’t be offended by simple observations. Thai people may call you handsome or beautiful, but they are just as likely to call you fat or old. These observations aren’t meant to offend and are often just ice breakers or jokes.
Don’t beckon a waiter with your finger, clap, whistle or shout. Just put your hand up or call them over with the opposite hand motion for shoo-ing someone away, with your palms facing downward.
Don’t leave your chopsticks in the bowl, it symbolizes death and is very bad luck.
Don’t order one dish that you intend to eat by yourself. Thai meals are always shared.
Do
Do pick up the check if it comes to you; in Thai society the person who is perceived to be the richest pays. Nine times out of ten this will be you. On the other hand don’t try to contribute if someone else is paying the bill, it takes away from their status and ‘face’.
Eat food when it is offered to you. Just taste the food or you will offend Thai people.
Do eat food with a fork and spoon. You only need to use chopsticks for noodles.
Be patient when you don’t get the service or order you expect. Remember that English is not their first language.
Always be respectful of the King, the royal family and Buddhism. Don’t even joke about these subjects or you could find yourself in the lock-up.
Always respect elders. If someone is older than you, address them as ‘Peee’ or Noi’ if they are younger.
Always take your shoes off before entering someone’s house. You may have to do this for shops as well. As a rule, look to see if there are shoes outside a shop house.
Do make sure your laundry is your laundry when returned. Sometimes it is misplaced.
The traditional form of greeting is to ‘wai’ rather than shake someone’s hand. Learn to ‘wai’ correctly. Click here to learn more.
Make sure what you are buying is exactly what you want. Normally in Thailand it is almost impossible to get a refund.
Do be careful when you hire a car and motorbike. Make sure the vehicles have the appropriate motor insurance and you have adequate medical insurance. Click here to find out more about medical insurance.