Thailand Travel Advice: Cultural Considerations
Thai's are very proud of their heritage-and rightly so. The country has never been colonized, but was briefly occupied by the Japanese during WW2. Thai's are happy with their freedom and their way of life. Show respect and you will be shown respect in return. Foreigners, here, are neither put on a pedestal nor treated in a derogatory manner.
Always remove your shoes before entering a Thai house or a temple, even if your hosts insist it is not necessary. Automatically removing your shoes when you do enter someone's house–or before boarding a dive boat–will also show that you're hip, culturally.
The Royal Family is highly respected here, and it is in poor taste to make degrading remarks about them, even in jest. Never desecrate an image of the King or Queen of Thailand, which you will find hanging proudly in many, homes, shops or places of business. Even stepping on a rolling coin, which bears the image of the King, is considered rude and should be avoided.
The head of a Thai is considered the highest point–literally and spiritually–while the feet are considered the lowest. Therefore, never touch a Thai on the head, even children, and make an effort not to point to or touch objects or people with your feet. Even a slap on the back, a particularly American custom, would be considered rude here.
The wai (putting your hands together with flat palms in a prayer like position) is a traditional and beautiful form of greeting here in Thailand. Rules for who wais whom are complicated, even for Thai's, but generally paying this form of respect to children, waiters, housekeepers, etc., is not appropriate–there is definitely a hierarchy here in Thailand. It is appropriate, however, to wai persons older than you in many situations, especially older persons that are being extra kind to you. (For example, if you are invited into a Thai home, it is very polite to wai your hosts upon entering and leaving.) It is rare that a tourist is ever expected to perform a wai as you are a guest in their country. However, just like a handshake in Western countries, it is an important part of Thai culture and a little bit of understanding goes a long way towards their acceptance of you.
As in all countries, customs and habits in Thailand differ from other countries and are often difficult to understand. Have respect for their customs–don't disregard them just because they don't make sense to you–and you'll find your time spent here to be enjoyable, fulfilling, and enlightening.
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