It is very important to have some notion of local customs, to avoid all types of misunderstanding and fully enjoy Thai culture.

To lose face, is the worst thing which can happen to Asian people and particularly to Thai ones. All evidence of anger is considered as vulgar and disrespectful. To stay calm is the rule of conduct in Thailand, whatever situation you have to face. Monarchy, religion and country are sacred cows in Thailand, and although Thais are quite tolerant, they don't accept any disrespect regarding those topics.

You don't shake hand in Thailand, but to welcome or salute somebody, you have to join your two hands in front of your chest or face, in a type of prayer sign called Waï. The higher hands are the most respect you show. Generally speaking, the normal salutation will be done with your hands under your chin. More respect will be expressed if your hands are at the level of your nose. Then, a very deep respect will be expressed by joining your hands in front of your forehead. If somebody addresses you a Wai, it is polite to answer the same way, except if it is a kid. Of course, Thais on touristic sites may shake hand with you, as they are aware of European habits. But in all other locations, Thais ignore this practice and Wai is so elegant and refined that it is worth using it !

Social Hierarchy

There is a very strong social and familial hierarchy. Less important persons must show respect to the "phu yaï", persons who are more important than them. Richness, power, knowledge, are criteria which allow you to be part the "phu yaï". This ranking is always made between 2 or more people. You can be the "phu yai" versus one person and another one can be a "phu yai" versus yourself. It is a type of non fixed hierarchic relationship between 2 or more persons, contrarily to Indian casts (in Thailand you can become part of "phu yais" if your personal situation evolutes). Some examples of phu yaï :  adults versus children, boss versus employee, teachers versus students, militaries versus civilians, Thais versus non Thais… This concept of social scale is going down nowadays. Another concept is developing. It is " phu mi hitiporn ", people having economical and political power, sometimes obtained not really in a clear manner.. a kind of "Godfather"...!

For people of similar social level, hierarchy is organized on "phi and naung" concept. This is linked to age difference, phi for older people and naung for younger ones. This hierarchy is materialized into the spoken language by these word "phi and naung". So, when a young person speaks to an elderly one, he will put the word "phi». in front of his surname.

Thais are very patriotic. If you criticize their country, you offend them a lot and it is better to avoid that if you want to keep with Thais a good relationship. Radio and television broadcast everyday at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. the national anthem: kao rot tong chad (salute to the colors) (listen to national anthem). It is also broadcasted in public areas, including a certain number of roads in towns and villages through loudspeakers. Thais stop their activities and stand up. It is recommended for you to do so as well.

They are really devotedly attached to their country and you will verify it in several situations, sometimes really unexpected. Entry price in museums or temples is very often different for Thais and non Thais. Generally speaking, Thais pay half charge versus a foreigner (… or foreigners pay double amount compared to Thais!). This is a citizenship privilege Thais have in their home country. For a foreigner, used to equality, it’s shocking. But for a Thai, it is absolutely normal and they don't understand why foreigners don't admit this. For them, purchasing power of foreigners visiting the kingdom is much higher than the Thai’s one, they consider this difference of treatment as totally normal. You shouldn't take it as a way of cheating tourists, but as a real advantage given to local people. Best is to admit it without grumbling as you don’t have a choice anyway! You will find the same difference if you compare tariffs offered on international plane tickets on Thai Airways. A discount is offered to Thais when they take the plane to travel abroad...

Thais worship royal family and are very upset if anything wrong is said about royal family members, especially by foreigners. But all royal family members don't have the same treatment in Thais’s heart: the King has the best image among the Thai population. A royal family portrait can be found in each Thai house.

Thais are generally speaking very careful regarding their appearance and the fact tourists are there on holidays is not considered as an excuse for dirtiness or carelessness in clothes you wear. It is always surprising to see, coming out of miserable wooden houses, located on the Bangkok klongs' banks, very well dressed people wearing immaculate white shirts and on their way to work place.

Visitor entering a religious building must be dressed in a correct way: shirt, dress or trousers. Avoid Bermudas, short skirts, short pants, sleeveless T shirts which can be considered as disrespectful. In some temples, as Wat Doï Suthèp in Chieng Maï, you will be kindly asked to wear a sarong they lend you at the entrance, if they consider that your clothing is not really correct.  Do accept this offer without grumbling, you will show you are polite and giving respect to your hosts.

It is compulsory taking off your shoes before entering a temple. Do the same thing before entering a Thai house. The huge amount of shoes and sandals in front of the door will remind you this custom and avoid you to forget about it: if you don't respect this custom you will deeply hurt and shock Thais. It’s a question of tradition and hygiene.

Nudism on beaches is not the norm in Thailand even not topless. It is normally prohibited by law. Topless is however tolerated on some beaches in Phuket and Kho Samui but remember that this way of behaving is shocking for Thais.

All Buddha representation, what ever size or condition it is in, is considered as sacred. So, don't ever climb on statues to take snaps and avoid everything which could be considered as disrespectful, like for example having a snap of yourself taken in front of a statue. Respect others' religion, whatever you believe in. This will prove the tolerance you should have, being a tourist in a foreign country where you are hosted.

Monks should not touch or be touched by a woman. To give something to a monk, a woman has to lay it down close to the monk without giving it to him directly. To avoid embarrassing a monk, a woman should avoid sitting close to him in buses trains etc...

In public, any demonstration of tenderness between a man and a woman is considered as improper. Some young couples can be seen hand in hand; this is the maximum tolerated by local customs. Indeed, as astonishing it could appear for a foreigner becoming steeped in prejudice like erotic massages or any other phantasm, Thais are very prudish. Therefore you will not see Thais kissing each other in public or simply being interlaced.

For Thais, the head is considered as the noblest part of the human body. This is the reason why they hate having somebody touching their head even if done in a friendly way. On the other hand, feet are the less noble part. It is very impolite to to design something or somebody with your foot. In a temple, you must turn your legs underneath if you sit down on the ground floor, or at least not point out your feet toward any Buddha statue.

Avoid also jumping over somebody who is laying on the floor (for example in a train). When to have to do so, just bow your body as a sign of apology.

Generally speaking, Thais call each other by their surname. Precede the surname by the word “Pi” when you talk to an elder person. Friend use nicknames (most of the time monosyllabic) Surname is mainly used by family members. Nicknames are used by friends and very often represent a particularity of their character of physical appearance. Most common ones are:

Noï ; ying, hé, lek, Tim, Djim, Yaï, deng…

Most commonly used Thai surnames are: : Nittaya, Nonglak, Suana, Wannie for girls and Somchaï, Somsak, Souchad for boys. Most of the time, the surname was chosen by a monk when the child was born. For other surname, click here.

Family name is almost only used for official papers.