Do and don't in Thailand
Getting Along in Thailand
Thailand is justly celebrated for its tolerance and hospitality,
and the average tourist will have no difficulty in adjusting to
the local customs. All the same, as when coming into any unfamiliar
society, a visitor may find it helpful to be aware of certain do's
and don't's and thus avoid giving accidental offense. Basically,
most of these are simply a matter of common sense and good manners-not
really all that different from the way one would behave in one's
own country-but a few are special enough to be pointed out.
The Monarchy
The Thai people have a deep, traditional reverence for their Royal
Family, and a visitor should also be careful to show respect for
the King, the Queen, and the Royal Children. In a cinema, for example,
a portrait of the King is shown during the playing of the royal
anthem, and the audience is expected to stand. When attending some
public event at which a member of the Royal Family is present, the
best guide as to how to behave is probably to watch the crowd and
do what it does.
Religion
Thai law has a number of special sections concerning religious offenses,
and these cover not only Buddhism, the religion of the majority
of the people, but also any other faiths represented in the Kingdom.
It is, for instance unlawful to commit any act, by any means whatever,
to an object or a place of religious worship of any community in
a manner likely to insult The religion. Similarly, "whoever
causes any disturbance at an assembly lawfully engaged in the performance
of religious worship of religious ceremonies" is subject to
punishment, as well as "whoever dresses or uses a symbol showing
that he is a priest or novice, holyman or clergyman of any religion
unlawfully in order to make another person believe he is such person."
In less legal language, here are a few tips on what to do and what
not to do on a visit to a religious place:
Dress neatly. Don't go shirtless, or in shorts, pants, or other
unsuitable attire. If you look at the Thais around you, you'll see
the way they would prefer you to be dressed -- which, in fact, is
probably not very different from the way you'd dress in a similar
place back home.
It's all right to wear shoes while walking around the compound of
a Buddhist temple, but not inside the chapel where the principal
Buddha image is kept. Don't worry about dirt when you have to take
them off; the floors of such places are usually clean.
In a Muslim mosque, men should wear hats and women should be well-covered
with slacks or a long skirt, a longsleeved blouse buttoned to the
neck, and a scarf over the hair. All should remove their shoes before
entering the mosque and should not be present if there is a religious
gathering.
Buddhist priests are forbidden to touch or to be touched by a woman
or to accept anything from the hand of one. If a woman has to give
anything to a monk or novice, she first hands it to a man, who then
presents it. Or in case of a woman who wants to present it with
her hand, the monk or novice will spread out a piece of saffron
robe or handkerchief in front of him, and the woman will lay down
the material on the robe which is being held at one end by the monk
or novice.
All Buddha images, large or small, ruined or not, are regarded as
sacred objects. Hence, don't climb up on one to take a photograph
or, generally speaking, do anything that might show a lack of respect.
Social Customs
The don'ts of Thai social behavior are less clearly defined than
those concerning the monarchy or religion-especially in a city like
Bangkok where Western customs are better known and more widely accepted.
However, what is acceptable in Bangkok may not be in the countryside
where the old ways are still strong. Here are a few things to keep
in mind:
Thais DO NOT normally shake hands when they greet one another, but
instead press the palms together. In a prayer-like gesture called
a wai. Generally, a younger person wais an elder, who returns it.
Watch how the Thais do it, and you will soon learn.
It is considered rude to point your foot at a person, so try to
avoid doing so when sitting opposite anyone, and following the conception
that the foot is a low limb; DO NOT point your foot to show anything
to anyone, but use your finger instead.
Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body both literally
and figuratively. As a result they DO NOT approve of touching anyone
on that part of the body; even in a friendly gesture. Similarly,
if you watch Thais a social gathering, you will notice that young
people go to considerable lengths to keep their heads lower than
those of the elder ones, to avoid giving the impression of "looking
down" on them. This is not always possible, of course, but
it is the effort that counts.
Public displays of affection between men and women are frowned upon.
You may see some very Westernised young Thai couples holding hands,
but that is the extent of the displaying of affection in this polite
society.
Losing your temper, especially in public, will more than likely
get you nowhere. The Thais think such displays denote poor manners,
and you are more apt to get what you want by keeping a cool head
and concealing your emotions.
DO NOT be surprised if you are addressed by your first name; for
instance, Mr. Bob or Miss Mary instead of by your surname. This
is because Thais refer to one another in this manner, usually with
the title "Khun" (Mr., Mrs., or Miss) in front. Follow
the customs of any country as far as possible, and you will make
more friends during your stay. The more friends you make, the more
you will want to return to Thailand.
Source : Tourism Authority of Thailand |
