While Thailand is becoming more and more western, people still practice Thai culture and habits widely. Foreign travelers may have a hard time navigating the many cultural norms of Thai culture, but you don’t have to worry.
Thais are generally tolerant of well-meaning fake passes, and they appreciate sincere attempts by foreign visitors to respect Thai culture. Here is a short list of dos and don’ts that will serve you well on your next trip to Thailand.
Smile. In fact, smile as much as you can. Thais smile at any kind of situation, a cultural habit that Westerners often cannot understand. It is related to the Thai culture of live and let live, take it easy, something that is best expressed in the common Thai phrase “mai pen rai” (never mind). So “mai pen rai” – when in Bangkok, do what the locals do.
Related to the first point: For Thais, only fools and rude people lose their temper in public. Loud voices and angry conversations can be extremely counterproductive in Thailand. That is the value of keeping “face”, for themselves and for others. Smiling (see above) will take you much further than a raised voice.
Remember the sacred and taboo parts of your body: head and feet . For Thais, the head is the most sacred part of the body, while the feet are the lowest and dirtiest. (A cultural trait that Thais share with the Balinese, Khmer, and Myanmar). Never touch the head of a Thai person; at the same time, you should never show the soles of your feet to anyone, or use your feet to point to something.
Shoes are not allowed inside. Before entering a home or office, it is polite to leave your shoes outside.
Science is on the Thais’ side: a study conducted at the University of Arizona found that an average of 421,000 units of bacteria live on the soles and exterior of shoes … bacteria that can be traced on clean floors if shoes are kept indoors. home.
The bacteria likely come from “frequent contact with fecal material, which probably originates from public restroom floors or from contact with fecal material from animals outdoors,” said microbiologist Dr. Charles Gerba. home or personal space after the shoes were contaminated with bacteria ‘.
Skip the PDA Public displays of affection are not encouraged in Thailand.
Practice the wai . Instead of shaking hands, Thais “wai” greet people. The “wai” is a short bow made with the hands together close to the chest or face. A proper wai is not as easy as it sounds, so take some practice to master it. Never “wait” for someone of lower status, even if it seems egalitarian, it will only embarrass the person who is “waiting.”
Be culturally sensitive. Most Thais practice Buddhism, so special care must be taken not to offend their religious sensibilities. Wear appropriate clothing before entering a temple: avoid sleeveless shirts, flip-flops, and shorts or skirts that are too short to begin with. Please leave your shoes outside the temple upon entering.
Show respect for the king and his family. Thais won’t appreciate even the friendliest jokes about their monarch. Thais have a deep respect for their King, an affection that corresponds to his many achievements and sacrifices for the country. Remember, respect for the King is not just courteous, it is the law – you can read more in this article about the Lese Majeste Laws of Thailand.
