As a rule, Thai people are friendly and tolerant. They see hundreds of tourists who do not know their traditions and their manners. As long as tourists accept and respect their religion and royal family, the Thai people are understanding. 

Buddhism  

In Thailand 95% of the population are Buddhists. That is why one can see temples everywhere and most of the local men have to spend a part of their youth being a monk. Buddhism follows the “Siddharta Gautama`s” tenets who was an Indian prince in the 6th century before the Christian era. He devoted his royal life to find spiritual understanding.  

After years of learning and research he was finally “enlightened” and then he became Buddha. 

Some people think that Buddhism is first of all a philosophy of life not a religion. Buddhism does not praise a God or any other higher creature. They believe that life is a circle from birth to rebirth and life altogether is a suffering until getting to nirvana.  

People go to temples very often and donate money or food to get blessing from Buddha for this or their next life. 

The Royal Family 

In Thailand they respect their royal family very much. Nobody can criticize them in public and fouling of a royal picture or any other thing is state offence. King Bhumibol is one of the most prolonged monarchs of the world who celebrated his sixty`s birthday on throne. People in Thailand deify their king and to their mind the king is the most important person in the country.  

Sometimes the king joins in political crisis, especially during domestic quarrellings and asks the parties to be understanding and in most cases they have respected it.  

The Royal Household is not only a passive institution but they take an active part in charity events and help poor people. They often visit the poor people, listen to their problems and solve them. 

Wai 

Way is the traditional greeting in Thailand. Both hands are put together to cover the face to pray. The higher you raise your hands, the stronger respect you show to the person you “wai” to. Wai is usually used by people of the same age and by younger people greeting older ones. Entering and leaving some restaurants the waiters “wai” to you. It is not a request to reply the same way but still you can do it. You are in status of a client in the restaurant or like in the role of a senior person.  

If you are introduced to a local Thai person, “wai” is always recommended and relevant. 

Also when you are introduced to an older person “wai” is almost obligatory.  

“Losing one’s face” 

“Losing one’s face” is a very important element in Thailand like in most other countries in Asia. It is extremely important for Thai people to be dignified and keep one’s reputation and to help others not to “lose their face”. 

You cannot do anything that would belittle or put local Thai people into an embarrassing situation. When a Thai sees somebody fall off a chair then they would make a joke and laugh about it. They do it not to embarrass the person but it is just their way to help him with laughter not to “lose one’s face.” 

“Losing one’s face” means also not to cope with a task or not to serve you in time and then it is not wise to call him names because he would look for a better way to compensate his mistake than “losing his face” with swearing.  

Showing your anger towards a Thai person also leads to “losing his face” so try to keep calm as well to show respect to local customs.  

Head and feet 

Head is considered to be the most holy part of the human body and feet the most filthy ones. Most of the books tell the same, one cannot touch a Thai’s head. Still one can see mothers friendly patting their child’s head. Yet you cannot touch an adult’s head. It is forbidden. 

You cannot point on people or holy things with your feet. When you are sitting on a chair then keep your both feet on the floor or like a tailor or your knees on the floor so you cannot point with your legs. It is considered very impolite.   

Shirt 

Many tourists come to Thailand and want to take the sun and they take off their shirts. On the beach and near the swimming pool to be without a shirt is absolutely allowed but further of these places always wear a shirt. Thais are not so strict about it but is you want to make a greater impression, follow this rule. 

Also women are not allowed to sunbathe topless. Near some part of private pools it is allowed and accepted but not on public beaches. On many tourist region beaches however many visitors ignore it and Thais can crack jokes about it but in their hearts they absolutely do not like it.  

Footwear 

In Thailand they have the habit of taking off their footwear before they enter a room.In many shops and offices they follow this rule. Always look at the doormat, if you see footwear on it you have to leave yours too.  

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