Correct manners in Thailand

For us western visitors it is almost impossible to behave correctly in Thailand. But as Thais are extremely polite people and in addition know that for non-Thais it is very difficult to apply to their own behavioural rules against westerners necessarily tolerance is applied. Many of our “mistakes” are forgiven but we should always take care on also in Thailand to keep with our western courtesy rules – by this almost all “put one’s foot in it” can be avoided. Should it however happen often a smile is enough to excuse the faux pas.

Etiquette

• Thais do not normally use to shake hands when they meet, but make their distinctive bow. A younger person bows to an elder, who then returns it. The Thai greeting referred to as the wai Thai: ไหว้, consists of a slight bow, with the palms pressed together in a prayer-like fashion. The higher the hands are held in relation to the face and the lower the bow, the more respect or reverence the giver of the wai is showing. The wai is also common as a way to thank someone or apologize. The word often spoken with the wai as a greeting or farewell is sawatdee (khrap) สวัสดี, This word, derived from the Sanskrit svasti (meaning “well-being”). Generally the Wai is not expected from Farangs so that it is mostly indisposed. Particularly a Thai is forced to also answers with a Wai even though he was about to shake hands. If yourself is welcomed with a Wai you should answer the same way i.e. thumbs at the same height or a slightly deeper Wai. Exceptions are people having a clearly higher social status here the Wai can be made higher.

• It is considered rude to “point” of the foot toward another person. Feet in Thailand are said to be unclean thence you should not sit on the floor with stretched legs as the feet could point at other people. In Thai houses you usually sit on the floor in doing so the legs are not stretched out. As a rule, never use your feet to pick up, move or point at objects. It is better to use your fingers, but never point at people with the index finger in Thailand but with the chin in the appropriate direction..

• Thais regard the head as the body’s most important part, and the head should therefore preferably not be touched . For example, a friendly pat on the head could be taken as a insult. This also applies for children. Is it touched by mistake you should apologise politely. Thai children and young people in social gatherings will often make themselves smaller than they are, literally, to avoid looking down on  older people.

• In case it is eaten with the hand always use the right one! The left one is said to be unclean as it is often used for cleaning after going to the toilet. Also should objects, money, etc. being handed over or taken with the right hand.

• Kissing or other tenderness in between men and women in public are absolutely off-limits. Even bare contact of the other sex should be avoided as good as possible. Thai women touching male Farangs in public  are looked down on.
  In between same sexed however contact is tolerated between good friends of the same sex it is quite common to walk hand in hand. As the western influence is also growing in Thailand in the meantime more often young couples can be seen in Bangkok or other big cities walking hand in hand.

• Public anger gives you very little credit. Thai people will see this as very bad manners. To succeed in a dispute, stay calm and balanced. This would be a good time to use the thai wai. If you feel it would be best to leave, dont turn around but keep your wai and walk backwards until you have left. Westerners will in most cases loose any disputes with Thai people anyway.

• Before entering a Thai temple shoes should be taken off. Also is correct behavior and proper clothes basicrequirement for visiting a temple in Thailand. So are flip-flops, shorts and sleeveless shirts indisposed!
  When sitting in Thai temples the legs are never stretched out best is to sit on the knees.

• When entering a private apartment you should as well as in Thai temples take off your shoes and don’t step on threshold as there live according to the Thai belief the souls of the deceased. Men usually sit in the tailor seat women with angled legs pointing sideways. If men take such sitting position it testifies special respect against the host. Presents do not have to brought along with but is a little something such as fruits, food or little souvenirs very welcome. If presents are handed over they usually are not opened immediately to save on the one hand the guest’s blushes and on the other hand to not appear as greedy.

• Should you be invited to a party or a celebration the wardrobe should adapt to the circumstances. Often Thaifriends can give a hint as the host will always say that it is up to yourself. To take this too literally can by all means lead toembarrassments.
  To weddings or funerals an envelope with money should be handed over helping to lower the cost. Here as well friends can give a hint regarding the amount.

• When visiting a restaurant together it is custom that the party having the highest social status takes care on the bill for all attendees or instructs someone else to do. It is also quite common that you are asked for your income if the Thais cannot judge on your status. As in normal case we have a higher income – what in turn presumes a good Karma – nobody will have a problem with the Farang taking care on the bill … A tip is usually not given only outstanding service can be honoured with an additional amount.

• Are you  in public places 8.00 am or 6.00 pm you should stand up when the Thai hymn is played.

YouTube – Thai National Anthem

• Also when sun-bathing on the beach on proper clothing should be paid attention on.
  Thais are in as far as nakedness is concerned rather prude compared with us Westerns. When observing Thais, mainly women, going for a swim you will recognise that they are often wearing shirt and trousers when going into the water.
  String-thongs are frowned upon both for women and for men. But swim-trunks covering the bum of a man are sufficient.
  Women  should by no means lie about topless or even totally bare!
  By this extremely disrespectful behaviour you can quickly lose your face what in turn can lead to not being respected there anymore during yourThailand stay.
  If you go in between to the beach restaurant a bath towel or a Sarong should be looped around the hips.

• Never criticise the king, the royal family or the religion! And avoid stepping on bills as on all of themhave a image of the king on them. The 2007 Constitution of Thailand, and all seventeen versions since
• 1932, contain the clause, “The King shall be enthroned in a position of revered worship and shall not be violated. No person shall expose the King to any sort of accusation or action.” Thai Criminal Code elaborates inArticle 112: “Whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent, shall be punished with imprisonment of three to fifteen years.”  In March 2007, Swiss national Oliver Jufer was convicted of lèse majesté and sentenced to 10 years in jail for spray-painting graffiti on several portraits of the king while drunk in Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Jufer was pardoned by the king on 12 April 2007 and deported…………
  

  In all cases everything should be avoided that could make the opponent loosing his face. Thus nobody should be shown up in front of others or being criticized to hard. You eventually risk an act of revenge of the one shown up. Most notably against drunk this must be absolutely avoided – to provoke drunk Thai males by improper behavior can be perilous!

• http://www.kochangvr.com
• Lèse majesté
• BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Swiss man jailed for Thai insult