Cultural Hints

 content from GV documentation

Ronald Greets Customers in Bangkok

It is not by accident that Thailand is often referred to as “the land of smile”. The Thais are exceptionally friendly and helpful people, and getting along with them is easy-simply smile wide and laughs a lot. Being Buddhists, they are an amazingly tolerant people. Avoiding offensive behavior can generally be achieved through simple courtesy and common sense. A few taboos do exist, though, mostly with regard to the monarchy and Buddhism.  

Greeting People: The Thai greeting is known as the wai and consists of the palms being pressed together and lifted towards the chin. If someone wais you, you should wai back (except wai-ed by child).  

Body Language: The head is considered a sacred part of the body by Thais. The feet are seen as the lowliest part of the body. 

Royalty: The royal family is the most revered institution in Thailand. Criticizing or defaming it
in any way can be considered lèse-majesté. Not only could this mean a jail sentence but Thai people will nearly always be deeply offended.  

Monk: The monkshood is a respected institution that comes just below royalty in the social hierarchy. 

Etiquette at Wats (Temple): As in churches and other houses of worship, a certain decorum should be observed when entering the grounds of any Wat. 

Suitable Dress: Because the Thais are modest people, clothing should be kept respectable whether you are in the city or in the country. Dress properly; wear clothing that covers ones arms and knees. Miniskirts, shorts and sleeveless shirts are not allowed when visiting a temple. 

Cultural Do’s and Don’ts: Polite behavior is welcomed everywhere, and what is considered polite in other countries is probably considered polite in Thailand, too. Below you will find a list of cultural do’s and don’ts:

Cultural Do’s

• Be respectful of each other “waiing” when greeting each other.
• Be respectful of elders by serving or addressing them first in social situations.
• Be respectful of the monarchy by standing when the royal anthem is played – this occurs before a movie is show in the theatres and at special occasions. 
• Be respectful of the Thai Government by standing when the national anthem is played – this occurs at 8:00am and at 6:00pm daily. 
• Be respectful of the Buddhist religion by observing their guidelines. 
• Always take your shoes off when entering Buddhist Temple, private Thai homes; chapels where Buddhist images are kept; and any of the Islamic community’s mosques.
• Monks are not to touch or be touched by women.
• Visitors should dress neatly in all religious shrines. They should never go shirtless, or in shorts, hot pants or other unsuitable attire.
• Do not sit on or put your arms around Buddhist images. Each Buddha image, large or small, ruined or not, is regarded as being a sacred object. Never climb onto one to take a photograph or do anything that might show lack of respect.
• Never sit with your feet pointing toward all Buddha images. Some areas of a temple may be off limits for women-there is usually a sign indicating so.
• The intimacies between man and woman should not be shown in public.
• Sunbathing in the nude is prohibited.

Cultural Don’ts:

However, there are a few cultural pitfalls, mainly social and religious taboos, the breaking of which can cause offence:

• Be boisterous in public places, unless it is during a festival or holiday.
• Point at things or people with your feet or rest them on a table is considered rude.
• Touch a Thai person’s head, especially an elderly. A sincere apology should be offered  immediately if you touch someone’s head unintentionally.
• Touch Thai women without their consent. Generally, they are conservative.
• Step over people sitting around you.
• Step on a coin or paper money intentionally, as this is disrespectful of the King (his picture is on all Thai currency).
• Outward expressions of anger are regarded as crude and boorish. The visitor who remains calm and smiles appreciatively will find all sorts of doors open to him.