THAI ETIQUIETTE
There are a few pointers we would like to respectfully mention to make sure your enjoy your time in Thailand to the full. Obviously polite behaviour is welcomed everywhere, and what is considered polite in other countries is probably considered polite in Thailand, too. However, there and a few cultural pitfalls, mainly social and religious taboos, the breaking of which can cause offence:
For example,
- Thais revere their royal family. The overwhelming majority refuse to tolerate a faintly implied slight on the Thai monarchy.
- Outward expressions of anger are regarded as crude. The visitor who remains calm and smiles appreciatively will find all sorts of doors open to him.
- Visitors should dress neatly in all religious shrines. They should never go shirtless, or in shorts, hot pants or other unsuitable attire.
- Shoes should be removed when entering private Thai homes; chapels where Buddha or Buddhist images are kept as well as any of the Islamic community's mosques.
- Each Buddha image, large or small, ruined or not, is regarded as being a sacred object. Never climb onto one to take a photograph or do anything that might show lack of respect.
- Public displays of affection between men and women are frowned upon. Westernised Thai couples may hold hands but that's as far as it goes in polite society.
- It is considered rude to point the sole or bottom of your foot or feet at a person or object.
- Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body, both literally and figuratively. Therefore, they do not appreciate anyone patting them on the head or even the shoulders, even as a friendly gesture.
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