| Thailand vacations can be exotic, beautiful, sunny, | | | | religious and spiritual beliefs while you visit. This |
| unique and very rewarding. To get the most out | | | | belief and faith is shown in many ways. In Thai |
| of your vacation, learn about the customs and | | | | families when a son reaches the age of around 20 |
| traditions that are expected of visitors and | | | | he will actually spend a short time as a monk. This |
| tourists to Thailand. With these tips can help you | | | | is because it is believed that this action will send |
| become one of their beloved guests. Reading | | | | the mother and father to a heavenly destination |
| through this list will help you understand the | | | | when they die. Becoming a monk for any amount |
| proper ways to conduct yourself in frequent | | | | of time is one of the ways that these young |
| situations. This will help you show respect for the | | | | men are able to demonstrate their faith in their |
| people and their country. These basic principles will | | | | spiritual beliefs. The temples are very holy |
| also keep you from unintentionally offending your | | | | structures to Buddhist believers. |
| gracious hosts. | | | | Always show respect to any statue depicting |
| Thailand Vacations Can Be More Than Just a | | | | Buddha, which means no climbing on them, no |
| Party | | | | sitting beside them for a photo-op, and never put |
| Thailand can be a truly unique and rewarding | | | | a Buddha figure on the floor. |
| cultural experience. And it can be a great party. | | | | Temple Traditions and Etiquette |
| With relatively cheap prices, warm weather and | | | | In a temple setting rules and tradition are very |
| friendly people, some places in Thailand has | | | | strict. Your clothing must be acceptable in order |
| become overwhelmed with partygoers. Our | | | | to enter the temple. Modest dress choices are |
| recommendation is to have fun, party some, but | | | | your best bet. There are usually sarongs available |
| consider what you will be missing if that is all you | | | | at all temples that can be worn by both men and |
| do. Also consider that this is the ancient home of | | | | women if your clothing is not accepted or is |
| your hosts. | | | | questionable. |
| Greeting people in Thailand with the Wai | | | | Shoes come off before ever entering a temple. |
| One very important custom that is used in | | | | Some times you may see a man at temple |
| Thailand is the Wai. This is the accepted way of | | | | wearing a tank tee and shorts, but this is taboo |
| greeting others throughout the country. The Wai | | | | for a woman at the temple. Whether kneeling or |
| is performed by placing your palms together and | | | | sitting in a temple you must not let the soles of |
| letting your fingers point upward (in a prayer | | | | your feet face toward the altar. Women are not |
| position). When you do this you also bend your | | | | to touch or hand any objects to a monk at any |
| head at the neck, to show respect to the people | | | | time. If you need to return something to a monk |
| that you are meeting. Thai natives will appreciate | | | | you should place it on a nearby table where he |
| your using the Wai while visiting with them | | | | can then retrieve it. Some monks have a more |
| because it is their tradition and accepted way of | | | | liberal viewpoint on this and have no problem with |
| greeting another person. Every person in Thailand | | | | touching a woman's wrist to tie a string around it |
| is familiar with this type of greeting, and will | | | | or a gentle touch on the shoulder. But always |
| immediately respond in kind to this gentle and | | | | follow the monks lead. |
| polite gesture. They will also be happy and | | | | Be respectful of The King and the Royal Family |
| flattered that you are showing honor by using the | | | | In addition to respecting the Buddhist customs, |
| Wai while in their country. | | | | travelers should understand the respect Thai's |
| Graeng Jai ... The Polite Thai Art of Refusal | | | | have for King Phumipon Adunyadet and the Thai |
| Graeng Jai is a somewhat difficult concept to | | | | Royal family. Remember to not make any |
| understand, as there is no good word or phrase in | | | | disparaging or sarcastic comment about the king |
| English. One you think you have it translated, | | | | and his family. Not only would Thai's be deeply |
| Graeng Jai comes up in different forms. Some | | | | offended and outraged, it is illegal and carries |
| attempts at translation are, "don't want to impose | | | | consequences. This might seem outrageous to |
| on others", "over-polite", "don't want to say what | | | | people who come from countries where they are |
| you are really thinking", and "fear of disrespecting | | | | free to criticize their leaders, however, it is not |
| authority," "high respect for authority, elders or | | | | wise to challenge it (at least within Thailand). For |
| parents." While frustrating at times, it has a very | | | | the most part, this law is well-accepted and |
| important role in the culture. | | | | welcomed by Thais themselves, which suggests |
| Throughout Thailand whenever you are invited to | | | | the enormous respect they have for their King. |
| join someone for dinner at their baan (house), | | | | Their King and Queen have helped the country |
| turning down the offer is a gesture of graeng jai. | | | | prosper and have been instrumental in converting |
| To do this signifies is that you are being | | | | opium production to organic farming, they have |
| considerate, and not rude. To refuse the gesture | | | | gracefully brought Thailand into the modern age |
| means that you are trying not to cause anyone | | | | while maintaining much of the old tradition, and are |
| any extra bother or inconvenience. This term is | | | | generally considered benevolent. |
| actually used quite commonly for any occasion | | | | Basic Etiquette in Everyday Situations |
| where refusal of different invitations is seen as | | | | If you are entering a Thai home please |
| being respectful of others. It is an old Thai | | | | remember to remove your shoes first, this is |
| tradition and a means of saving face. While | | | | their tradition. You may even be asked to do this |
| offering to share meals or money with another | | | | in public restaurants, shops and stores. It's fun to |
| person is standard, there may not be anything | | | | do and you may want to continue this at your |
| much to share. When the person refuses there is | | | | own home. Pointing with fingers and hands is |
| no embarrassment to anyone on either side. If | | | | considered rude behavior by Thai people. If you |
| the person really wants to share something with | | | | are sitting or kneeling across from others do not |
| you and it is not an imposition, the request will be | | | | let the soles of your feet face them, as this is |
| emphatically repeated, at which time you can | | | | also considered rude and insulting. Never point at |
| accept with a clear conscience and good manners. | | | | anything or any person with your foot when you |
| Respect Thai Customs | | | | are in Thailand. This is considered extremely rude |
| Thailand does have a long list of "must do" and | | | | because they consider the feet to be the lowest |
| "don't dare" actions. The Thai people are very | | | | part of the body. To use them to indicate |
| gracious and hospitable so they won't get mad if | | | | something is insulting to them. Refrain from |
| you do not observe all of their traditional rules and | | | | touching someone else's head, even if it is only to |
| customs, but it is a good idea for any traveler to | | | | remove a leaf or smooth their hair. Thais consider |
| be familiar with as many of these as possible. You | | | | the head to be the highest and most respected |
| would appreciate visitors to your own country | | | | part of the body. It is considered to be very rude |
| showing the same respect for your own customs. | | | | for someone else to touch their head. Public |
| Inappropriate Dress In Thailand | | | | displays of any affection are also extremely rude. |
| Improper attire is one thing that Thai people | | | | Refraining from public shows of kisses or hugs is |
| frown upon. However, because of their | | | | much appreciated. |
| graciousness and Graeng Jai, they may not say | | | | Be Observant! |
| anything to you. So it is up to you to learn about | | | | There are so many new sights, sounds and smells |
| it before you go and observe what others are | | | | in Thailand. When arriving, you will probably be on |
| doing. Some of the younger citizens are not as | | | | sensory overload. But as you senses become |
| strict about dress codes, but the older people are. | | | | more accustomed to your surroundings, observe |
| A general rule is to not bare shoulders or go | | | | what people are doing and how they are acting. |
| shirtless in Thailand public places. On the beach, of | | | | As crazy as it sounds, try to fit in instead of |
| course, it is no problem. But elsewhere, more | | | | stand out. Observe your body language, your |
| traditional clothing is appreciated. Just remember | | | | voice volume levels, your group size, your |
| to follow the "not too" reminders when it comes | | | | presence. Then compare it with others around |
| to your dress choices. Not too small, not too | | | | you - Thai and foreigners in your group. See if |
| tight, not too skimpy and not too revealing. | | | | you can start to melt into the madness. Don't |
| Thailand's Spiritual Leanings...Buddhism | | | | think of it as constricting - think of it as a gentle |
| Buddhism is a very important part of Thailand life | | | | learning with Thailand as your teacher. |
| and culture and you should also respect their | | | | |