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 by Peter4
It's customary here to put spicy chilis in most cooked foods. What if you don't like spicy food? If you say, "Not spicy," you get entangled in a cultural misunderstanding: When a Thai hears "not spicy", to them it means only one or two chilis. Even that may be too much for your taste. The solution is to request, "NO chilis". In the little picture for this tip, I have written Thai language for no chilis. You can click to enlarge, print it, and carry to show in restaurants in Thailand.
If you want to try saying it in Thai language, use this: "my-sy-prik".
However, you may still get an argument from the waitress. I've asked for "no chili" and was told, "But no put chili, cannot be delicious!"
And don't be surprised if the food you are served is still spicy "hot". Thai cooks really don't understand how to cook without chilis.
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I live in Bangkok. If you have questions about long-stay here, you are welcome to contact me. Your question could inspire a new tip. - Peter Leave a Comment
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 Traditional Thai Clothing by manice
Do Smile:
Thailand is known as the land of smiles. Thais do not necessarily smile about something like we do in the west. They smile for a variety of other reasons too. To say hello or thank you, to make a request, to apologize, to smooth over bad feelings or to show embarrassment.
Do show respect for the king: Thai people show great respect for their king and they expect visitors to do so too. The national anthem is played twice a day (typically at 8am and 6 pm) and also before every film at the cinema. Everyone is expected to stand whilst it is playing. You should never insult or joke about the king or royal family.
Do show respect for their main religion, for the Buddha, and for monks. Shorts or tank tops should not be worn in a temple, and shoes should be removed before entering. It is considered very improper for women to touch a monk.
Do not touch anyone on the head. The head is considered to be very sacred.
Do not point your feet at anyone or anything. This is quite hard for a westerner to follow as, without realising it, we do in some circumstances seem to use our feet quite a lot e.g closing or opening doors. I never realised how much I use my feet until I was made very conscious of it in Thailand.
Do not step over anyone instead walk around them. Leave a Comment
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 by zazatann
'Wai' is for
1) Greeting
2) Thank
3) Good Bye
4) Apologize
5) Praying to the Buddha
6) Begging
But!!! Do you know ? We don't 'Wai' to everyone. Thai people pay respect to someone who is older as senior and we respect them as boss in a service business. So, please don't 'Wai' to anyone who is younger than you. Younger people won't feel comfortable to get your 'Wai' first. But if they do to you, you'll have to accept them back by do it the same after that.
Don't have to 'Wai' everyone who you don't know. For example; if you buy something in the shop, you don't have to 'Wai' the owner because you're the customer unless they invite you to stay over or join food with them. 'Wai' must be feeling or meaning to that person.
But whether you do right or wrong, Thai people are still happy to see you do that because we like what you try to do as our custom. Leave a Comment
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 Royal Symbol by csnyder
1. Be Polite - Thai people hold being polite above all else. Their very language has politeness built into it. If you follow what is considered “common courtesy” you will be fine.
2. Thai King - The Thai People Love their King, King Rama IX. Never show any type of disrespect to him.
3. National Religion - Buddhism is Thailand’s national Religion with nearly 95% of Thailand's population being Buddhist. All Buddha images are considered sacred and there are laws against removing these images for anything other that personal worship.
4. Be Quiet - Loud people are considered impolite. Speak softly and do not laugh loudly. Of course there are the common places such as bars that being loud is appropriate.
5. Body Odor - Thai people almost never smell badly and they find it offensive if others do.
6. Crowds - if you go to areas in Thailand during Thai holiday's and celebrations, be prepared to encounter many people. To Western experience the volume of these areas can be incredible. Be prepared to be pushed and shoved and be aware that they mean no harm. Thai people
7. Watch where you walk - The side walks in Bangkok are uneven and full of obstacles, pay attention. Oh, also, the streets have many stray dogs; the dogs are not aggressive but do leave landmines on the sidewalks.
8. Taxi drivers (enough said) - Most taxi drivers are fine. Generally, it is always better to use the metered taxis. Tuktuks are always more expensive and with Bangkok traffic you could be breathing in a lot of smog on the way. If you are going a significant distance negotiate… Also, the Taxis marked “We love farang, we speak English”, well most of them do not. They do have a radio that has a person that knows a little English.
9. Movie Theater - After the advertizing and right before the movie a tribute to the Thai King Comes on and everyone stands in respect.
10. Driving in Thailand - If you are a brave one and decide that you want drive yourself around Thailand, don't be too worried, it really isn't that bad. There are just several things to understand. Drivers use the left side instead of the right, like in the US, and the roads tend to be narrower than in the US. So driving next to a bus or a truck can be a little intimidating.
Following these tips will allow you to have better understanding of the Thai people and more fun in your stay in Bangkok, allowing the locals to be more comfortable with you and give you a better understanding of how things function in Thailand.
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 street food by zazatann
Whatever, even though Thai loves to bargain but we accept all food that we buy. We don’t bargain food even though it’s expensive but we will pay without complain. Leave a Comment
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. A fork and spoon are the usual eating utensils. However, noodles are often eaten with chopsticks.
. The spoon is held in the right hand and the fork in the left. The fork is used to guide food on to the spoon. Sticky rice, a northern Thai delicacy, is often eaten with the fingers of the right hand.
. Most meals are served as buffets or with serving platters in the centre of the table family- style.
. You may begin eating as soon as you are served.
. Leave a little food on your plate after you have eaten to show that you are full. Finishing everything indicates that you are still hungry.
. Never leave rice on your plate as it is considered wasteful. The words for food and rice are the same. Rice has an almost mystical significance in addition to its humdrum 'daily bread' function.
. Never take the last bite from the serving bowl.
. Wait to be asked before taking a second helping.
. Do not lick your fingers.
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I found a gem of a book at Bangkok Airport - at arguably the wrong end of the holiday - but buying it afterwards was great too, as I had lots of questions. Just felt the need to go back and understand a little better! - boy, that sounded confused didn't it?!
The book is called Very Thai - Everyday Popular Culture - put together by a pair of Americans, now living in Thailand - Philip Cornwel-Smith and John Goss (photographer). Published by River Books, Bangkok, 2005.
I found this to be an excellent book - very well photographed, capturing the abundant colour of Thailand, and the smiling people. The book is divided into chapters about the sights on the street, personal habits and beliefs, the wide array of rituals and sanuk - the fun part of Thai life.
All the answers are here about the things you see in the street and Thia lifestyle, which is both educational and amusing at times, but certainly enriches your appreciation of Bangkok and Thailand as a country. You can find out what all of those culinary delights you see in the street are, the "nick-name" culture, royal and Buddha reverence, how Thais love uniforms.......
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DO- smile! Thailand is renowned as the land of smiles, and the locals are generally happy people, embrace this!
DON'T- get angry. Always take a deep breath and don't become confrontational. This just doesn't happen in Thailand, and many see it as a sign of weakness.
DO- sample the local cusine! If you don't try out the local Thai food then you really will be missing out. It is gorgeous, and CHEAP!
DON'T- drink tap water. The water system here is not great, and even the locals rarely indulge. With bottled water being so cheap, this shouldn't pose any problems.
DO- be confident. Do not allow yourself to be pressured in to doing something you don't want to. For example if a tuk tuk driver is hassling you for a lift you do not want, then don't go.
DON'T- be rude! Remember, however annoying it can become turning down taxi driver after taxi driver, they are only trying to earn a living. Just smile and say no thankyou, and they will appreciate this much more. Leave a Comment
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My experience with Bangkok only spans about 10 years.
But, I've seen a radical change in attitude, not so much by the Thais, but by the visitors.
People used to read guidebooks to reseach their destinations.
Reading about places still doesn't remove the "mystery".
All the books on Thailand addressed modesty, politeness, and demeanor.
There would be a laundry list of cultural considerations.
Then came the forums.
Everyone has become an expert and lends their "reality" to the topic.
Any mystery is lost.
Thai's are culturally sensitive? 'Don't make me laugh!'
Dress modestly? 'I see Thai girls dressed provocatively all the time!'
Don't argue or show hostility? 'Don't let the little bastards screw you!'
'All the cops are crooked!'
'Everyone's out to scam you!'
'The land of (phoney) smiles!'
'It's my vacation; I'll do want I want!'
I'm not trying to take a moral high ground.
Anyone can travel in any manner they choose.
But, how one presents himself might just make the difference, whether he is treated as a guest or a mark. Leave a Comment
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This was amazing, when we went to visit the Grand Palace one of us didn't have a shirt with sleeves and had some sandals. She was asked to be in a big line and wear some other shoes and a long sleeve shirt that many people had already wore.
This is acceptable as it's a Thai custom... But it seems it's only for foreigners. Thai people may enter the Grand Palace wearing what they want to!!! It's a Thai custom but for foreigners! Funny!
When I told that to the doorwoman and questioned that I was threatened she would call the police. ... Friendly people! Leave a Comment
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