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Like many Asian cultures, Thai culture places a high value on a hierarchy of respect. Following some of Thailand's cultural conventions will help you engage with local Thais in the most polite manner possible. Learning a few Thai words and some of the social mores surrounding eating out, dressing appropriately, and how to act in places of worship are all crucial components of responsible travel and will enable you to make the most of your trip overall. Here are some important Thai culture and traditions that you should know about!
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An important part of Thai culture- Take Off Your Shoes
When entering a Thai home, temple, or palace, the first requirement of etiquette is to take off your shoes. This is a polite way of preventing your shoes from bringing dirt into the house or temple you are visiting. It is considered impolite to enter Thai temples and residences without taking off your shoes. Some cafes and restaurants may also require you to take off your shoes. This is because some tiny businesses are housed in residences. Simply observe what other people are wearing on their feet in the store or restaurant to determine whether you should take off your shoes and adjust your behaviour accordingly.
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Thai culture of greeting
In Thailand, a wai or two are typically used to greet someone. This is a typical gesture that involves bowing your head softly and placing your hands together in a praying stance. According to Thai culture, the wai must be offered by the person with the lowest social standing. Monks and other people with extremely high social rank won't even need to reply with a wai of their own. Feel free to reciprocate a wai if it is offered as a welcome, while it is not required of children, restaurant staff, or street vendors. You will simply be adhering to traditional Thai conventions and avoiding unnecessary humiliation; you are not being rude.
In Thailand culture, individuals do not touch hands as frequently as they do in the West. Additionally, touching or passing something over someone's head is impolite. When a member of the royal family passes beneath the Skytrain in Bangkok, it is rather common for the train to stop. This is because being superior to these already esteemed people of Thai society would be extremely disrespectful.
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Thai culture and traditions related to the royal family The head of Thailand's hierarchical society is the royal family. Thailand essentially halts daily activities for the national anthem at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Anyone within earshot is asked to halt their activities and observe a respectful quiet as the song is pumped out from speakers affixed to trees and posts. No matter who you are speaking to, always be respectful when answering questions regarding Thai royalty. Otherwise, simply steer clear of the topic. Please be advised that any disrespect towards the monarchy, including their image, is illegal. Just handle your baht banknotes with caution.
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Thai culture regarding clothing.
Even though Thailand is a fairly free and open country, it is nonetheless polite to wear modest clothing when visiting a temple or palace. This is done out of respect for the monks and locals who live in these historic sites. In Thai culture, when entering a palace or temple, it is deemed acceptable to at least cover your shoulders and knees. For women, wearing long skirts or long pants is the safest option, but for guys, you might be able to get away with wearing shorts. Wearing tank tops, skimpy sportswear, or t-shirts with offensive designs is not advised.
Thailand culture of respecting the monks In Thailand culture, monks are adored and highly respected, and tourists are expected to reciprocate. In particular, if you are a woman, please refrain from touching a monk. This is due to the belief held by monks that a woman's body violates their Buddhist vows. Therefore, ladies should never touch a monk, and several temples forbid them from entering particular places. You can bow or wai when you meet a monk, but avoid bringing up too many personal details. Given how highly esteemed monks are, Thai people must properly engage with them. For instance, on the bus, people typically give up their seats to monks.