| This article provides a brief look at the tips and | | | | Of course there are the common places such as |
| customs of thailand and how they may impact | | | | bars that being loud is appropriate. |
| your stay. | | | | 8. Food - Food in Thailand is customarily HOT, |
| Thailand Tips and Customs (for further | | | | spicy HOT. For the westerner visiting foriegner, |
| information go to Asia Travel Pages). After living | | | | the best tip i can give them is how to ask to |
| in Bangkok for over a year I have learned many | | | | make the food less spicy. There are two phrases |
| things about the Thai People that I wanted to | | | | to be used based on you preference: 1) "mai ped" |
| share with other foreigners living or vacationing | | | | - not spicy and 2) "ped nit noi" - a little bit spicy. |
| here should know. The first thing you have to | | | | But the food is awesome in Thailand, this tip |
| accept is that eastern culture is different. The | | | | should help you enjoy it even more. |
| people in the east are less emotional and more | | | | 9. Body Odor - Thai people almost never smell |
| polite and while they know westerners are | | | | badly and they find it offensive if others do. |
| different, they often are uncomfortable when we | | | | 10. Crowds - if you go to areas in Thailand during |
| stray from their norms. The things I found to | | | | Thai holiday's and celebrations, be prepared to |
| be important are listed below in order of | | | | encounter many people. To Western experience |
| importance: | | | | the volume of these areas can be incredible. Be |
| 1. Be Polite - Thai people hold being polite above all | | | | prepared to be pushed and shoved and be aware |
| else. Their very language has politeness built into | | | | that they mean no harm. Thai people |
| it. If you follow what is considered common | | | | 11. Watch where you walk - The side walks in |
| courtesy you will be fine. | | | | Bangkok are uneven and full of obstacles, pay |
| 2. Thai King - The Thai People Love their King, | | | | attention. Oh, also, the streets have many stray |
| King Rama IX. Never show any type of | | | | dogs; the dogs are not aggressive but do leave |
| disrespect to him. The Thai people have a deep | | | | landmines on the sidewalks. |
| traditional reverence for the Royal Family, and the | | | | 12. Taxi drivers (enough said) - Most taxi drivers |
| visitor should also show respect for the King and | | | | are fine. Generally, it is always better to use the |
| the Queen, and the Royal Children. When | | | | metered taxis. Tuktuks are always more |
| attending a public event where a member of the | | | | expensive and with Bangkok traffic you could be |
| Royal Family is present, the best guide on how to | | | | breathing in a lot of smog on the way. If you |
| behave is to watch the crowd and do as it does. | | | | are going a significant distance negotiate
|
| 3. Safety - Stealth crimes, such as pick pocketing, | | | | Also, the Taxis marked We love farang, we |
| are the most common problem so it's worth | | | | speak English, well most of them do not. |
| keeping a close eye on your belongings at all | | | | They do have a radio that has a person that |
| times and being aware of the people around | | | | knows a little English. |
| you. Unprovoked violence against tourists are | | | | 13. Movie Theater - After the advertizing and |
| very rare, but it pays to exercise common sense. | | | | right before the movie a tribute to the Thai King |
| 4. National Religion - Buddhism is Thailand’s | | | | Comes on and everyone stands in respect. |
| national Religion with nearly 95% of Thailand's | | | | 14. Driving in Thailand - If you are a brave one |
| population being Buddhist. All Buddha images are | | | | and decide that you want drive yourself around |
| considered sacred and there are laws against | | | | Thailand, don't be too worried, it really isn't that |
| removing these images for anything other that | | | | bad. There are just several things to understand. |
| personal worship. | | | | Drivers use the left side instead of the right, like |
| 5. Buddhist Monks - It is forbidden for women to | | | | in the US, and the roads tend to be narrower |
| touch Buddhist Monks, this includes a woman | | | | than in the US. So driving next to a bus or a |
| handing something to a Monk, The items should | | | | truck can be a little intimidating. |
| be first given to a man, who hands the item to | | | | Following these tips will allow you to have better |
| the monk. | | | | understanding of the Thai people and more fun in |
| 6. Buddhist Temple - Wearing shoes around a | | | | your stay in Bangkok, allowing the locals to be |
| temple is acceptable but they should be removed | | | | more comfortable with you and give you a better |
| when entering their church (the area where the | | | | understanding of how things function in Thailand. |
| Buddha image is kept). | | | | Please visit our Website for more ideas for |
| 7. Be Quiet - Loud people are considered | | | | traveling in Thailand. |
| impolite. Speak softly and do not laugh loudly. | | | | |