Thai social etiquette places a high value on calmness, politeness, and maintaining a gentle demeanor, so certain gestures we are used to in Western culture are simply not appropriate in Southeast Asia and can be considered hostile.
General Etiquette
- Don't point to the bottoms of your feet at anyone, particularly an image of the Buddha. The feet are considered the lowest part of the body.
- Don't pat anyone on the head.
- The thumbs up symbol, the okay symbol, and winking at someone can all be considered lewd gestures.
- Putting your arm up in the air to beckon a person or taxi is not appropriate. You hold your hand out and sort of pat the air.
- Pointing with a single finger is not appropriate. Motion with your entire hand.
- Do not pose with an image of the Buddha.
- The Thai culture is generally quiet and modest. Do not be loud and obnoxious.
- It is a criminal offense to make negative comments about the King or other members of the royal family.
- If invited to someone's home, bring a small gift of snacks or fruit.
Dress / What to Wear
- In temples, always cover your shoulders and knees.
- Away from beach areas, it is appropriate to dress more modestly. Although you will see many tourists dressing as if they are at the beach, it is not polite.
- Try and pay attention if you are entering somewhere that is a shoes-off place, and do so accordingly.
- Certain bathing places, it's not appropriate to wear a bikini. Such as bathing elephants for a local watering hole. If they do not provide you with an outfit, wear shorts and a t-shirt over your suit.
Food / Eating
- If given a fork and a spoon, use your fork to move the food onto the spoon and use the spoon to eat with. Eating with a fork similar to eating with a knife in Western culture.
- Do not drink the water. This includes brushing your teeth or in the shower. Most hotels other than the most basic provide a bottle or two of water.
- When choosing a local place to eat, choose one that's full of locals.
- You generally don't use a knife. Cut with your spoon if you need to.
- Chopsticks are used for noodle dishes. They usually won't give them to you unless you are eating a dish that warrants them.
- Finishing everything on your plate suggests you weren't given enough food. Leave a bite or two to show you are full and were given enough.
Transportation
- For tuk tuks and taxis, agree on the price before you get in. For taxis it's usually best if they will use the meter, but good luck.
- Grab, Bolt, and InDrive are the rideshare apps in Thailand. InDrive usually being the cheapest.
Money / Shopping
- It is not a tipping culture. Do not force your tipping culture on them.
- It is a bargain culture. It's part of the game. It is not quite as deep as it used to be. But still expected.
- Try not to use your "small money" unless you have to. Nobody ever has change (taxis in particular). Use larger bills any chance you can such as in a grocery store, for park entry, etc.
