Thailand Local Customs

 
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Most Viewed Local Customs in Thailand

151.

Dress codes   Bangkok

Dress codes, Bangkok

 17 Reviews  In most Asian countries it's common to understand the remains of British influence, in the students' dress code. In Bangkok we saw a parade with students using traditional costumes and some... 

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152.

Religion & Beliefs   Ko Samui

Religion & Beliefs, Ko Samui

 10 Reviews  One of the things that I have never understood about travellers is their desire to break the rules, or guidelines of the local people. Out of respect to the people who look after this temple, and also... 

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153.

Correct behaviour   Chiang Mai

Correct behaviour, Chiang Mai

 21 Reviews  To take off your shoes is extremely important when visiting temples. At the massage rooms, it was also necessary to do so. It was even requested at one of the restaurant I went to. So, it is helpful... 

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154.

Bullfighting   Hat Yai

Bullfighting, Hat Yai

 1 Review  Apparantly Hat Yai is one of the main centre for Bullfighting in Thailand. Many local people seem to have no problem with a variety of 'sports' that enable humans to use dumb defenceless animals for... 

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155.

General Dos and Don'ts   Bangkok

General Dos and Don'ts, Bangkok

 29 Reviews  The must Do: -dress properly when visiting a temple -treat monks with the highest respect -try to learn a few Thai phrases -smile -enjoy DON'T EVER TRY TO: Don't show disrespect towards the... 

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156.

Language   Ko Samui

Language, Ko Samui

 3 Reviews  As with any foreign country it is an advantage to learn some basic communication terms.In thai it is handy to know the following terms. Sa-wa-dee khap for males,Sa-wa-dee ka for females(hello or... 

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157.

Local people   Chiang Mai

Local people, Chiang Mai

 17 Reviews  This flower market is located along the western bank of the Ping River, to the north of Nawarat Bridge. Here you can see stalls and shops selling the offering garlands that people take to temples plus... 

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158.

Religion   Hat Yai

Religion, Hat Yai

 1 Review  At various shops around the place you will see orange buckets loaded with food and toiletries. These are passed to monks as part of their daily 'alms-collecting'. Monks are supposed to have very few... 

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159.

The Wai - Traditional Thai Greeting   Bangkok

The Wai - Traditional Thai Greeting, Bangkok

 17 Reviews  Many people in the capital speak some English, sometimes too enthusiastically as they speak so fast. However you should try to learn the basic words, but no-one expects you to learn much more than... 

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160.

Song Kran Festival   Chiang Mai

Song Kran Festival, Chiang Mai

 8 Reviews  Songkran Day has been celebrated as New Year's Day in the Thai solar calendar since ancient times. The date coincides with the day the sun leaves Pisces and enters Aries, usually falling on April 13... 

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161.

Thai Language   Bangkok

Thai Language, Bangkok

 17 Reviews  People who want to learn the Thai language should listen to some Thai music.Listening to Thai music is a good way to improve your listening skill as well as to learn new words . One band that is... 

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162.

Excursions   Chiang Mai

Excursions, Chiang Mai

 7 Reviews  Interested in different kinds of Fruits and Plants not found in your country? Then there is a good chance of seeing something entirely different in an Akha & Lisu village. I saw a Longan Fruit tree,... 

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163.

Feet (and Heads)   Bangkok

Feet (and Heads), Bangkok

 16 Reviews  In Buddhist culture, the feet are the lowest and most unclean part of the body, while the head is the highest part of the body. Touching someone on the head, or shaking your foot, or pointing with... 

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164.

Buddhism / Monks   Bangkok

Buddhism / Monks, Bangkok

 38 Reviews  A few years ago, a Thai friend told me that it was forbidden and highly avoided that a female approach and give alms to monks. Females can do so via a male conduit. I am not sure if this is till... 

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165.

Beer drinking   Bangkok

Beer drinking, Bangkok

 6 Reviews  Singha beer is the leading beer product in Thailand and the Boon Rawd Brewery Co. Ltd. (located in Bangkok, Thailand) Brews this popular beer. Singha has for many years been Thailand’s most popular... 

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166.

People   Bangkok

People, Bangkok

 22 Reviews   On the banks of the Chao Phraya river, you will see rickety old wooden houses on stilts and covered boats. The people that live here are called the boat people. They do not have much money but seem... 

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167.

Bargaining   Bangkok

Bargaining, Bangkok

 7 Reviews  Bargaining is meant to be fun so the first rule is that you should never get angry or rude with merchants. Sometimes merchants will be rude to you in an effort to make farangs lose face but don't... 

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168.

Shoes - when to take them off   Bangkok

Shoes - when to take them off, Bangkok

 11 Reviews  Whenever you enter a religious building (Buddhist temple, Mosque, etc), you must first remove your shoes prior to entering. So, sandals with closed heals or other shoes easily removed and put on are a... 

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169.

Traditional Thai Dancing   Bangkok

Traditional Thai Dancing, Bangkok

 9 Reviews  With all forms of dance drama in Thailand, music forms an important role which is greatly bound by tradition The performances you will see are mystical dances based on stories from classical Thai... 

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170.

Songkran Festival   Bangkok

Songkran Festival, Bangkok

 7 Reviews  Songkran is the Thai New Year's festival. It is celebrated on the first after the first new moon of April. Everything shuts down for the Songkran festival and then a country wide water fight emerges.... 

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171.

Shrines and Spirit Houses   Bangkok

Shrines and Spirit Houses, Bangkok

 15 Reviews  There are many Thais with Chinese ancestors ,so you will often see Chinese style shrines all over the country .On certain ocassions such as Chinese New Year you will see people paying respect to Gods... 

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172.

Respect for Royalty   Bangkok

Respect for Royalty, Bangkok

 17 Reviews  A person can notice coming to Bangkok that many people (men and women) are wearing light pink shirts. Dress shirts, polo shirts or tee shirts in light pink. Winston, my VT friend, explained how the... 

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173.

Money   Bangkok

Money, Bangkok

 3 Reviews  Paid 250Baht to get into the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo, upon entering the palace, looked up and was surprised to see a sign that says it's FREE for the Thais. Later, I found the same thing for... 

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174.

Statues   Bangkok

Statues, Bangkok

 9 Reviews  Shiva's carriage was the bird of eagle. Shiva is the Hindo deity of Destroying, and Creating! That is why this deity is considered the supreme Hindu Deity, possibly the oldest one. That is to say the... 

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175.

Traditional Thai Massage   Bangkok

Traditional Thai Massage, Bangkok

 2 Reviews  Thai massage is believed to have been developed by Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha, physician to Buddha, more than 2,500 years ago in India. It made its way to Thailand, where the Ayurvedic techniques and... 

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

CURRENCY & AIRPORT TAX

by kiwigal_1

The money in Thailand is the Baht. It is possible to change many different currencies in Thailand and in major tourist destinations they won't even require your passport. I changed Japanese Yen and US Dollars for my trips. It is now illegal in Thailand to buy goods with anything other than Thai Bahts so if someone offers you a 'deal' I wouldn't bother as you would probably get a better rate from licensed money changers.Remember that there is a 500 Baht departure tax from Bangkok International Airport! Once I had spent all my Baht and would have been in a bit of trouble had my friends not saved some for a souvenir!!To find out how much the Baht is worth click on the link to launch the currency converter below:

Tip Photo
To "Khap" or to "Kha"

by ngcsc

In Thailand, the most common phrases you always heard is "Sawadee Khap", "Khup Kun Khap" It is always a "Khap" or "Kha" behind the sentence, what is it mean? It is to differentiate the gender. The "Khap" is a word use by men and "Kha" use by ladies. Don't mixed up the these two word, it is weird to mixed up your gender right? So, for ladies, it is "Sawadee Kha", Khup Kun Kha"Sometimes, you will hear Thai saying "Khap" or "Kha", it means "yes". For instance, "Are going to airport?" If the answer is positive, you can just answer "Khap" or "Kha", or negative, you'll say " Mai Chai"

Those Yummy Rambutans!

by balisunshine

The Rambutan, (Nephelium Lappaceum) is a native fruit to the Malay Peninsula.The name is derived from the Malay ‘rambut’ meaning hair. It is a relative of the lychee and tastes real good!The white, translucent, juicy fruit is covered with a skin featuring soft yellow or red spines.It is easy to open its hairy shell with a slight cut of the knife or your teeth.Omit swallowing the large seed.It grows only in hot, humid climates.So there are plenty here during the May to October season.Bon appetite!

Tip Photo
Never touch someone's head

by ngcsc

Some people may be used to touch others head to show friendship or praise, but never do this in Thailand.For Thai, they believed that head is holy to them, it can only touch by the monk or the senior. Never Never touch someone's head eventhough he or she is only a kid, it show unrespect to them.For those who really respect the Thai custom, when talking to the senior or monk, you should never stand higher than them when they are sitting.For really really serious one, you should knee down in front of the monk!!!

Buddhism

by aukjejetty

For the Thai buddhism is a way of life. It is more viewed as a way to live than as a religion with rules and restrictions. The rules of buddhism are used as guides through a lifetime. By following these guidelines they get one step further to nirwana.

Tip Photo
Dress and appearance

by aukjejetty

The Thais place great importance on personal cleanliness and appearance. Tank tops, singlets, shorts and the like are considered inappropriate dress everywhere except at the beach. Sandals are OK except at formal occasions. Going topless or nude at the beach (or anywhere else) is seen as disrespectful to the local people. It’s also illegal.When visiting someone’s home or at certain offices and shops, it’s polite to remove your shoes at the entrance. If you see shoes arranged on the floor at the door, don’t wait to be asked– remove your shoes before entering.If you should have to go to the hospital, they often ask you to stand on the scale so they can measure your weight. Also here you are expected to take your shoes off.

Tip Photo
Greet with a 'wai'

by aukjejetty

Thais greet each other with a ‘wai’, a prayer-like, palms-together gesture, not a handshake. Generally, a younger person ‘wais’ an elder or senior person, who will then return the gesture. Even though most Thais are familiar with the Western handshake, a ‘wai’ is always appreciated.If someone greets you with a 'wai', you should give one in return.

Tip Photo
Royal Respect

by aukjejetty

All members of the Royal Family are held in the highest reverence in Thailand and visitors should show similar respect. Negative remarks about the monarchy may be considered lese majeste, an offence carrying severe punishment in Thailand. When the national anthem is played, at 8.00 am and 6.00 pm everyday and at public events or in cinemas, for example, you are expected to stand. The best guide is to check what other people are doing and follow suit. After commercials and right before a movie starts the national anthem is played at the movies. You will notice because everyone stands up, you should do the same and sit down when the anthem is finished.

life is unpleasant ?

by norain

What will you do if your life is unpleasant and nothing is going right? For Thai people, we go to a temple to make a wish for a better life and receive a blessing from a monk. Thais usually go to the temples especially when in troubles or difficulties. Why is that? Because we believe that if our life is hard, we should make a wish for better things coming to our life at the temple. No matter if it’s true or not, we still feel better after doing that anyway because we have released all fears and pain and asked for something nice.

Stepping over people's legs - DONT!

by Dxenion

As the feet are spiritually the lowest part of the body, you can imagine the disrespect that occurs if you were to raise them to clamber over someone.Possible scenario:You're in a packed carriage in a train and have the window seat. You're returning to your seat but find the way blocked by the legs of a sleeping passenger.Solution:Do not kick them awake - you could find yourself in hospital.Either tap the male traveller on the knee to wake him or push his legs aside enough to get past him.Do not touch a female anywhere on the body - it's taboo and you may find her male companion assisting you to the hospital. Instead, wake him up to wake her up to move her legs so you can get past.

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Local Customs: Cities in Thailand
  1. Bangkok Local Customs
  2. Phuket Local Customs
  3. Pattaya Local Customs
  4. Ko Samui Local Customs
  5. Chiang Mai Local Customs
  6. Krabi Local Customs
  7. Hat Yai Local Customs
  8. Ko Phi Phi Don Local Customs
  9. Hua Hin Local Customs
  10. Ko Phangan Local Customs
  11. Ko Lanta Local Customs
  12. Kanchanaburi Local Customs
  13. Ko Samet Local Customs
  14. Chiang Rai Local Customs
  15. Ko Chang Local Customs
  16. Ko Tao Local Customs
  17. Nakhon Ratchasima Local Customs
  18. Ayuthaya Local Customs
  19. Udon Thani Local Customs
  20. Khon Kaen Local Customs
  21. Mae Sai Local Customs
  22. Sukhothai Local Customs
  23. Pai Local Customs
  24. Lampang Local Customs
  25. Cha-am Local Customs
  26. Chon Buri Local Customs
  27. Surat Thani Local Customs
  28. Chumphon Local Customs
  29. Prachuap Khiri Khan Local Customs
  30. Mae Hong Son Local Customs
  31. Ban Bang Saen (2) Local Customs
  32. Chanthaburi Local Customs
  33. Ban Khao Yai Local Customs
  34. Satun Local Customs
  35. Phitsanulok Local Customs
  36. Ko Phaluai Local Customs

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Questions and Answers

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Q:  I am from Canada and going to Thailand, what kind of plug adapter do I need to charge my camera? 

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A: You will find all the information you need about voltages and plug adaptors (and photos of plug types) here: http://www.kropla.com/electric2.htm 

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