Thailand Customs And Etiquette

To show respect, put your palms together at chest level, pointing your fingers away from you, and gently bow your head: this is the Thai traditional greeting, called a wai. More than just a way to say (hello) sawadee, however, the wai is a gesture of respect. The degree to which you should bend your waist while performing a wai is determined by your social status relative to the person you are greeting. Older people receive lower, and thus more respectful wais . Younger people or those of inferior social standing wai first. You should never perform a wai to a child; you will only embarrass yourself and make everyone around you uncomfortable. That said, the use of the wai by foreigners is generally appreciated by Thais and seen more as respectful than inappropriate. The wai is also directed towards inanimate objects, like spirit houses, because they are believed to bring prosperity, good luck, and protection to one’s family.

Farang, Farang. Although the origins of the word are uncertain, any Westerner quickly will become familiar with the label “ farang .” Used to refer to foreigners, farang is universally applied to all non-Asians. As it is also the word for the white guava fruit, expect “ farang eating farang ” jokes if you happen to purchase any.

Taboos

According to an ancient Hindu belief (now incorporated into Buddhism), the head is the most sacred part of the body, inhabited by the kwan, or the spiritual force of life. However tempting it may be in the event of a height difference, a pat on the head in Thailand is neither playful nor cute—it’s simply disrespectful. Conversely, the feet are considered the lowest and dirtiest part of the body. Don’t point your feet—or cross your legs—toward an image of the Buddha or toward another person, especially if he or she is older. Shoes, which are considered to be even more unclean than feet, are unwelcome in temples and most private homes. Also considered “dirty” is the left hand, used only to clean oneself after bodily functions—so don’t eat with your left hand!

While Buddha images are available for sale in countless tourist shops, in the past there are restrictions on taking them out of the country. In general, treat the image of the Buddha respectively: never take photographs with one, and keep the Buddha on a high shelf (definitely above foot level). And be warned: as respectful as Thais are of different cultures, Thailand does imprison foreigners for actions considered sacrilegious.

Hands Off

Women should never touch a monk or give him anything directly, as this will violate an important part of his vows. The way one dresses is also important: clothing should be modest, and men and women should wear long sleeves and pants or skirts when visiting a wat (Buddhist temple). Public displays of affection between lovers are frowned upon. Affectionate same-sex caresses or hugs are commonplace and rarely have sexual overtones.

Stand And Deliver

Remember your national anthem? Thais certainly remember theirs. Visitors to Thailand are struck by how citizens respond so patriotically to their national anthem and the national flag. Whether they’re in the bus station, on the street, or in the market, Thai people stop what they’re doing when they hear the anthem. In some smaller cities, traffic comes to a screeching halt. Thailand’s flag is raised each morning at 8am and lowered each evening at 6pm to the accompaniment of the national anthem. If you don’t stand still, you will never feel more like a farang. Respect Thailand’s national custom—be still and stand up anytime the anthem is played.

Table Manners

Thailand is known for its food, and much of Thai life revolves around eating. Customarily, when dining out with a group in Thailand, many dishes are ordered and food is served family-style, as opposed to one dish per person. The oldest or most successful person at the table pays for the meal. Taking a large portion from a communal dish is frowned upon. Most Thai meals are eaten with a spoon in the right hand and a fork in the left, to help guide the food onto the spoon. Chopsticks are only used with noodle dishes.