Thai Customs & Traditions

by: Debbie Salcedo

Thais are a kindly, friendly race, and take immense care in their behavior towards other people. It is only right therefore, that visitors to Thailand show the same degree of respect for Thai customs, culture, and conventions. Here are some of them:

1. Never touch a Thai on the head, not even a child. Thais consider the head the most important part of the body, deserving the most honor, whilst the foot, is the least honored. This belief originates from the ancient Hindu belief (subsequently imported to Thailand) that the head is the most sacred part of the body, and the feet the most unclean.
 

2. When in a Buddhist temple, one should tuck ones legs beneath ones body, avoiding stretching them out to face the Buddha. The wearing of shoes inside temples and homes is also forbidden. All Buddhist images are sacred, and should be treated with respect at all times. Buddhism is not so much a religion, as a way of life.

3. The traditional Thai greeting is the “wai” in which both hands are raised slowly and gracefully, palm down and close to the body, the closer the hands are held to the head, the greater the respect signaled.

If greeted with a “wai”, it is polite to return the greeting but not to initiate it. Do not “wai” children, servants, hotel staff, taxi drivers, or other people in service positions.

 

4. Do not wear shorts or scanty clothing, especially in rural areas. For women to wear such, locals will assume the girl is a prostitute. Contrary to popular belief, the Western decadence embraced by the Thai sex industry, is totally unrepresentative of the general Victorian like Thai attitude towards morality.

5. Embracing, holding hands or showing any signs of affection in public, is generally unacceptable, and should only occur when a couple know each other reasonably well.

6. The Royal family holds an exalted position in the hearts and minds of all Thai people, at times almost regarded as having divine status. Most Thai households have pictures of King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit in their homes. When referring to the royal family, do so in utmost respect.