Thai culture is warm and welcoming but, also conservative. While people are keen to save face and avoid confrontations, there are a number of ordinary western habits that can be liable to cause offense. What should you expect from a relocation to Thailand, and what are the dos and don’ts of social etiquette? Here are a few things to keep in mind to make sure you feel at home in no time at all.
From head to toe, there are small notes on body language and behavior that will help you to make a good impression wherever you are in Thailand.
In Thai culture, the head is the most sacred part of the body, and your feet are considered the lowest or dirtiest part. As a result, pointing your feet at someone or raising them higher than someone’s head – for example, by putting them up on a chair – are considered very rude behaviors.
Removing your shoes before entering someone’s home or a temple is absolutely essential, but it isn’t necessary at every business – when entering restaurants and shops, check whether there’s a pile of shoes at the door and whether staff are wearing shoes to help you establish whether it’s okay to wear yours inside or not. As the weather is hot throughout the year in Thailand, wearing sandals or other easy-to-remove shoes is not just comfortable, but also makes it easier to quickly slip them on and off when entering buildings.
Other cultural customs
Other key customs to be aware of are the Was, and respect for the king. A traditional Thai greeting, holding your palms together in front of your face and making a small bow. If someone greets you with, it is rude not to offer one back, and there are three different levels of respect you can pay with this gesture depending on where you hold your hands. One is for friends and equals, another is for elders and those in positions of authority, and the third and final version is reserved for Buddhist monks and the royal family.
The royal family are held in high regard in Thailand, and it is illegal to speak badly of the king. Though Thai people are very forgiving of cultural faux pas made by foreigners, openly disrespecting the king through jokes or questioning his authority can land you in prison and should be avoided.
Eating out and dining with friends
You could be forgiven for assuming that you’ll need to be an expert with chopsticks to get by in Thai restaurants, but this is not the case. Most meals are eaten with a fork in the left hand and spoon in the right, though chopsticks are often available for noodle dishes.
If you’re dining in someone’s home, note that finishing all the food on your plate suggests you are still hungry. Leaving a few bites lets your host know that you are full, and that they don’t need to make you more food!
While it is perfectly usual to bring a gift if you’re invited to someone’s home, it isn’t mandatory. A host will usually not open a wrapped gift in front of the person who gave it to them, and if you are wrapping presents then avoid using blue, green or black paper – these are colors associated with mourning and saved for use at funerals.
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