Phuket Local Customs

Remember to bargain for almost anything (even sports activities on the beach) you want to buy in Phuket, at least start with 30% - 50% (or maybe more, depending on how good you are) of the original price. Having communication problem with the locals? Don't worry. Calculator is a common thing in every stall in Phuket as the local sellers know you might need it to communicate the price with them. You'll find it interesting and fun to bargain, especially when you manage to get a really good deal. :-) So, happy bargaining!

Monks are highly venerated in Thailand and must be treated with the greatest respect.

There are 4 different levels of monks The only way to differentiate between each level is by age, but that is not always a reliable indicator either. The first level is Nong Pee which means "young brother". This title is reserved for very young monks; children & teenagers. Next is Luang Pee, which means "brother" and can refer to monks up to about 60 years of age. Luang Por is the reference to senior monks, aged into their 80's. Luang Poos are the most venerated, older monks aged 80+.

Monks wear a variety of shades of saffron and brown robes. This does not have any bearing on their status, but rather the colours are for country or city living. The bright orange is used for city dwelling monks who walk along roadsides daily, collecting offerings. The bright colour is required for safety, so they are seen by passing vehicles. In the country, such colours could alarm wild animals and so, brownish tones are worn.

A woman must never touch a monk or hand anything to him. Monks are celibate and as such, there is implied temptation by the "exchange" of male/female energy. If a woman touches a monk, he must spend the day meditating to clear the energy.

Never turn your back to seated monks, nor stand near them if they are seated, as your head should not be above theirs. When passing monks, one should duck as a show of respect.

Monks eat once per day. The meal must be taken before midday. Other than this meal, monks can drink as much coffee and other fluids as they like and eat things like sorbet, which is not considered as solid food.

When greeting a monk, wei to them with your fingertips positioned up against your forehead (the higher your hands, the greater the show of respect). Instead of saying Sawasdee, you say "Na Ma Sa Gan". If you ever have the opportunity to invite a monk into your home, to sit or let him go before you, you must use the words "Ni Mon". To invite him to eat, the words "Ni Mon Chun Kiao" are used.

I thought I'd include the chant used at the temples for anyone who'd like to participate as fully as they can. This chant is not only used at temples, but is also performed at blessings. You can print it out and take it with you. It is performed with your hands together as in the wei.

Na-mo tas-sa pa-ka-wa-to a-ra-ha-to sam-ma-sam-pood-tas-sa

Na-mo tas-sa pa-ka-wa-to a-ra-ha-to sam-ma-sam-pood-tas-sa

Na-mo tas-sa pa-ka-wa-to a-ra-ha-to sam-ma-sam-pood-tas-sa

A-ra-hang sam-ma-sam-pud-tho pa-ka-wa pud-thang pa-ka-wan-tang a-pi-wa-tae-mi
(bow with hands to the ground)

Sa-wag-ka-to pa-ka-wa-ta tam-mo tham-mang na-mas-sa-mi
(bow with hands to the ground)

Su-pa-ti-pan-no pa-ka-wa-to sa-wa-ka-sang-ko sang-kang na-ma-mi
(bow with hands to the ground)

Ma-yang-pan-tae wi-sung wi-sung rak-ka-nat-tha-ya-ti-sa-ra-nae-na sa-ha pan-ja si-la-ni ya-ja-ma

Tu-ti-yam-pi ma-yang pan-tae wi-sung wi-sung rak-ka-nat-tha-ya-ti-sa-ra-nae-na sa-ha pan-ja si-la-ni ya-ja-ma

Ta-ti-yam-pi ma-yang pan-tae wi-sung wi-sung rak-ka-nat-tha-ya-ti-sa-ra-nae-na sa-ha pan-ja si-la-ni ya-ja-ma

There are alot of transvetites hanging around Bangla road, Patong beach. Some of them are drop dead gorgeous, so much that you know for sure they are not real women since natural beauty is seldom seen.

Vegeterian festival is celebrated in phuket every september
or october depenting on the chinese calander.The locals that
attend this festival abstain from meat-sex-alcohol where
white clothes and pierce they're body with sharp objects
(this festival last about 6-7 days)

Every november in phuket celebrates Loy Kratong.
Loy means to float and Kratong a cup that is send to the sea
Little boats made by banana trees decorated with
flowers and candles are pushed in the sea
great to see in the night,people believe that the boats
carry all the bad luck away from them

Thailand is a very easygoing country with their ping pong bars & sex trade but please remember that the Thais get offended by public displays of affection & nude and topless sunbathing/swimming.
I noticed a lot of people topless sunbathing on the beaches & at our hotel in Phuket, whilst no one was told not to, its a given rule that u shouldnt practice this behaviou in their country as it offends the Thai people, even though they wont show their offence.
Dont walk around & shop in bikinis or without a tshirt on. mini skirts and shorts are acceptable & you will find that a lot of the bar girls are dressed in similar sexy attire.
On Phi Phi island its a muslim island & its illegal to go topless there
If u are visiting a country i think its polite to not offend them & do some basic reading on what is acceptable or not.

Our first time to thailand & i decided to learn some simple phrases like hello, goodbye, thankyou. its delicious,good luck etc etc.
and i found that the Thais really appreciated me going to the effort.So in turn we had better service &were looked after in every way on the aeroplane, and at our hotel & we may have even saved a little bit of money when bartering.
So id say its worth learning some simple thai as we definately benefited from showing an interest in their culture.