| Getting
Along in Thailand
Thailand is justly celebrated for its tolerance and hospitality, and the
average tourist will have no difficulty in adjusting to the local customs.
All the same, as when coming into any unfamiliar society, a visitor may
find it helpful to be aware of certain do's and don't's and thus avoid
giving accidental offense. Basically, most of these are simply a matter
of common sense and good manners-not really all that different from the
way one would behave in one's country-but a few are special enough to
be pointed out.
The
Monarchy
The Thai people have a deep, traditional reverence for their Royal Family,
and a visitor should also be careful to show respect for the King, the
Queen, and the Royal Children. In a cinema, for example, a portrait of
the King is shown during the playing of the national anthem, and the audience
is expected to stand. When attending some public event at which a member
of the Royal Family is present, the best guide as to know to behave is
probably to watch the crowd and do what it does.
Religion
Thai law has a number of special sections concerning religious offense,
and these cover not only Buddhism, the religion of the majority of the
people, but also any other faiths represented in the Kingdom. It is, for
instance unlawful to commit any act, by any means whatever, to an object
of a place of religious worship of any community in a manner likely to
insult the religion. Similarly, whoever causes any disturbance at an assembly
lawfully engaged in the performance of religious worship of religious
ceremonies is subject to punishment, as well as "whoever dresses
or uses a symbol showing that he is a priest or novice, holy man or clergyman
of any religion unlawfully in order to make another person believer he
is such person".In less legal language, here are a few tips on what
to do and what not to do on a visit to a religious place:
• Dress neatly, Don't go shirtless, or in shorts, pants, or other unsuitable
attire. If you look at the Thais around you, you'll see the way they would
prefer you to be dressed-which, in fact, is probably not very different
from the way you'd dress in similar place back home.
• It's all right to wear shoes while walking around the compound of a
Buddhist temple, but not inside the chapel where the principal Buddha
image is kept. Don't worry about dirt when you have to take them off;
the floors of such places are usually clean.
• Buddhist priests are forbidden to touch or to be touched by a woman
or to accept anything from the hand of one. If a woman has to give anything
to monk or novice, she first hands it to a man, who then presents it.
Or in case of a woman who wants to present it with her hand, the monk
or novice will spread out a piece of saffron robe or handkerchief in front
of him, and the woman will lay down the material on the robe which is
being held at one end by the monk or novice.
• All Buddha images, large or small, ruined or not, are regarded as sacred
objects. Hence, don't climb up on one to take a photograph or, generally
speaking, do anything that might show a lack of respect.
Social Customs
• The don't of Thai social behavior are less clearly defined than those
concerning the monarchy or religion, especially in a city like Bangkok
where Western customs are better known and more widely accepted. However,
what is acceptable in Bangkok may not be in the countryside where the
old ways are still strong. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
• Thais DO NOT normally shake hands when they greet one another, but instead
press the palms together in a prayer-like gesture called a wai. Generally,
a younger person wais an elder, who returns it. Watch how the Thais do
it, and you will soon learn.
• It is considered rude to point your foot at a person, so try to avoid
doing so when sitting opposite anyone, and following the conception that
the foot is a low limb: DO NOT point your foot to show anything to anyone,
but use your finger instead.
• Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body both literally
and figuratively. As a result, they DO NOT approve of touching anyone
on that part of body; even in a friendly gesture. Similarly, if you watch
Thais at a social gathering, you will notice that young people go to considerable
lengths to keep their heads lower than those of the elder ones, to avoid
giving the impression of looking down" on them. This is not always
possible, of course, but it is the effort that counts.
• Public displays of affection between men and women are frowned upon.
You may see some very Westernized young Thai couples holding hands, but
that is the extent of the displaying of affection in this polite society.
• Losing your temper, especially in public, will more than likely get
you nowhere. The Thais think such displays denote poor manners, and you
are more apt to get what you want by keeping a cool head and concealing
your emotions.
• DO NOT be surprised if you are addressed by your first name; for instance,
Mr. Bob or Miss Mary instead of by your surname. This is because Thais
refer to one another in this manner, usually with the title "Khun"
"(Mr., Mrs., or Miss) in front. Follow the customs of the country
as far as possible and you will make more friends during your stay. And
the more friends you make, the more you will want to return to Thailand.
Source : Tourism Authority of Thailand. A Traveler's
Guide to Thailand
  
  
  
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