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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Traveling across various places in the world comes with the responsibility of respecting the local community and the cultural values they uphold. It’s important to ensure that your actions align with the norms of the place you're visiting.
This applies to all destinations, including Thailand. As one of the world’s leading tourist hotspots, Thailand captivates visitors with its stunning nature, flavorful cuisine, deep-rooted traditions, and vibrant festivals.
To truly enjoy your stay and avoid cultural missteps, it's essential to be aware of the unwritten rules in Thailand that guide respectful behavior.
Unwritten Rules in Thailand Every Visitor Should Know
According to Condé Nast Traveler, here are some unwritten rules in Thailand, from speaking gently to always carrying cash, that you should know before planning your trip to the Land of a Thousand Pagodas.
1. Return the Wai
One of the most important unwritten rules in Thailand is to return the wai. A wai is a traditional Thai greeting where both palms are pressed together in a prayer-like gesture, along with a slight bow of the head.
Returning the wai is a way of showing respect for local customs. Especially when the wai is given by a monk or an elder, it’s a must to return it as a sign of reverence.
2. Dress Modestly
As in many other Asian countries that value modesty, one unwritten rule in Thailand is to dress appropriately, especially when entering temple complexes or places of worship. Clothing should cover the shoulders and knees. Female tourists can use a shawl for extra coverage.
3. Remove Your Footwear
In some places in Thailand, especially houses, massage parlors, temples, and even some cafes and shops, visitors are required to remove their footwear. To find out if a place has a rule to remove shoes or other footwear, simply look for a row of shoes near the entrance.
4. Always Carry Cash
Although credit cards and other modern payment methods are common, one unwritten rule in Thailand is to always have some cash on hand. Many small vendors or local eateries do not accept cards, so cash is still essential in many situations.
5. Avoid Public Displays of Affection
Another unwritten rule in Thailand is to restrain from displaying excessive affection in public. This also applies to some other Asian countries. Thailand is still relatively conservative when it comes to showing affection in public spaces.
Just keep the rule in mind: anything beyond holding hands is off-limits. Hugging? Still a no, especially if you and your partner are at a temple complex.
6. Maintain Calm and Polite Behavior
Keep in mind that you are in a different country, so it is important to respect the customs and social norms of the local community. In Thailand, people generally speak in a calm and gentle manner and tend to avoid displaying frustration or anger in public settings.
By maintaining polite and respectful behavior during your visit, you not only contribute to a more pleasant travel experience but also help preserve the positive reputation of your home country. This can play a role in preventing potential issues in the future, such as travel restrictions for visitors from certain nations.
7. Learn Basic Thai Phrases
Traveling to another country means an opportunity to learn and remember a number of simple vocabulary and phrases from the destination country. When strolling in Thailand, say "sawasdee ka", if you are a woman, or "sawasdee krap", if you are a man, to say "Hello". Say "khob khun" every time you want to say "Thank you".
8. Be Mindful of Your Feet
For Thai people, it is impolite to place your feet on a table or chair because the feet are the lowest part of the body. In this regard, it is important to not casually rest your feet, especially using them to point at people or statues. The same applies to the head, as the head is seen as the most sacred part of the body, so it is not ethical to touch the head of others, especially older people.
9. Try More Than Just Pad Thai
While it’s tempting to order pad thai in its home country, an unwritten rule in Thailand for food lovers is to explore other dishes. Try local favorites like pad see-ew or pad kra-pow. Fun fact: locals don’t always eat pad thai!
10. Be Open-Minded about Sexuality and Gender
The last unwritten rule in Thailand is to always be open-minded about issues of sexuality and gender. Thailand is the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, and in fact, diverse sexual orientations and genders have long been ingrained in its society.
Therefore, make sure to always respect and avoid ridiculing someone who may explicitly appear as part of the LGBTQ+ community while in Thailand.
Keep in mind that the norms from your home country may not apply elsewhere, so avoid assuming they should be accepted in other cultures, even if you believe they are correct.
CN TRAVELER | YAHOO
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