Do's and Don'ts In Thailand: A Guide For Your Thailand Vacations

If your reason for traveling is to be familiar with cultures in other parts of the world, one of the best places to visit is Thailand. Why? Simply because this place is rich in geographical diversity as well in culture and history. This place has everything a visitor could ask for – from scenic spots, modern cities, to cultural attractions. So no matter what kind of travel you're dreaming of, whether educational tour, romantic travel, or family getaway, it is advisable to consider Thailand vacations.   

To make your vacation in such place even more pleasurable, you should know the dos and don'ts in this country. If you don't know what's acceptable to Thais and what are not, your getaway can end up real bad especially if you get into trouble just because you did something unlawful without you knowing it. 

Dos

1. Show respect for the King, the Queen, and the Royal Children. 
This involves standing up when the Royal Anthem is played no matter where you are. 

2. Dress appropriately when you're planning to visit religious shrines and temples.

If you're wearing shorts, hot pants, shirts or blouse without sleeves, and other unacceptable clothing, you won't be able to enter historical buildings like the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeow. While it's okay to wear shoes when getting around a Buddhist temple, you should take them off when you get inside the chapel where the main Buddha image is stored. 

3. Respect monks in temples and in public places. 
Monks should not touch or be touched by a woman. They are also not allowed to get anything a woman offers. So if you have something to give to a monk, hand it down to a man first and let him give it to the monk, or else, wrap the object in a piece of cloth.

4. Do use spoon when eating.
Unlike Westerners, Thais do not use forks in putting their food in their mouths. They use spoon in doing so; respect them by eating in the same manner.  


Don'ts

1. Do not climb up to a Buddha image just to take a photograph. 
Whatever the size is, any Buddha image in Thailand is sacred so do not do anything that shows disrespect to this consecrated object. 

2. Do not touch people on the head. 
Literally and figuratively, Thais consider the head as the highest part of the body so avoid touching them on the head. Another rude action to Thais is pointing your feet to an object or at a person.

3. Do not raise your voice at any individual. 
You will seem uncultured and ignorant if you do this. 

4. Do not show the sole of your feet. 
This is offensive especially to elder people in Thailand. 

5. Don't try to use or carry drugs in this country. 
In most cases, drug trafficking is punished with death penalty. If you're fortunate, you get long sentence in Thai jails. These are very horrible places to stay in and your embassy can't do that much to save you.

6. Do not shake hands with Thais. 
Thais way of greeting one another is pressing their palms together in a prayer-like manner. Make sure you do it correctly.

7. Do not smoke in the streets.
This is illegal; if you're caught, you can be fined 2,000 Baht. The same fine applies if you drop litter in the street. 

While these laws are a little flexible especially when a tourist is concerned, you should still follow them to show respect to Thais. So before you pack the things you will bring for your Thailand vacations, be sure to study these dos and don'ts first. Thais will so appreciate if you delve into their local custom and practice. 
