Smiles, "mai pen rai", the head and the feet, the dress code in temples and respect for the monarch.
Thais are welcoming and non-confrontational — the “Land of Smiles” is not a cliché. A few rules will help you avoid offending locals.
Body and gestures
- The head is considered sacred — do not touch people on the head, even children.
- The feet are a “dirty” part of the body: do not show the soles, do not point with your foot, do not put your feet on a table.
- The “wai” greeting (palms pressed together) is appropriate in response to the same.
Temples and the monarch
- Enter a temple with shoulders and knees covered; shoes are removed at the entrance.
- Do not climb on Buddha statues or treat his images as decoration.
- Respect for the royal family is enshrined in law — avoid any disrespectful remarks.
The philosophy of “mai pen rai” (don’t worry, it’s fine) is the key to Thai calm.
An unusual detail: don’t step on money
Thai banknotes and coins bear the image of the monarch, so stepping on a banknote that has rolled away to stop it is a serious show of disrespect. Hold the money down with your hand.
Monks and “sanuk”
- Women may not touch monks or hand things to them directly; on public transport people give up their seats to monks.
- Thais value “sanuk” — the idea that there should be joy in everything you do; together with “mai pen rai” it creates the country’s easygoing atmosphere.
