The Land of Smiles is a magical country that has a very unique culture, as Thailand is the only South East Asian nation never to have been colonised, and this means they have a unique culture that has not been influenced by colonial powers. Thai people are among the most friendly and hospitable in the world, and if you are planning to visit Thailand in the near future, here are some useful information to help you better understand their unique culture and way of life.
- Do Not Touch Thai People On The Head – In Thai culture, the head is considered to be the most important part of the body, and you should never touch a Thai person on their head. In general Thai people are very tolerant, and an affectionate pat on a child’s head would not cause offence, however, do refrain from touching an adult on the head. Equally important is the feet, which should never be pointed at anyone, as the feet are regarded as the lowest part of the body, and therefore unclean.
- Always Be Very Respectful To The Thai Royal Family – The Thais revere their royal family, and with very severe Lese Majeste Laws, you could be imprisoned for saying anything negative about the King or members of the royal family. If you book one of the luxury escorted tours to Thailand from an established online provider, they will explain how to behave regarding the Thai royal family, as well as orient you to other aspects of Thai Culture.
- The Traditional Wai – This is the way Thai people great each other, and a traditional Thai wai is performed by holding the hands together, as with praying, at around nose height. It can be confusing to foreigners when to wai, and as a general rule, you should reply to anyone that wais you, although children are not expecting a wai in return, as for them, it is a sign of respect when greeting an adult. When introduced to a Thai person, you could initiate the wai greeting, which would certainly impress, otherwise, simply return the initial wai when meeting a Thai for the first time. There are even YouTube videos that perfectly demonstrate how to wai correctly, which is a great help if you want to do it right.
- Remove Your Shoes Prior To Entering A Thai House – It is customary to remove your shoes before crossing the threshold of a Thai home, also when entering a Buddhist temple, and there will likely be quite a few shoes outside the entrance when you arrive, which acts as a reminder.
Thai people are very tolerant, and should you do something that offends them in anyway, they will usually dismiss it. However, it is always good to do a little research on the customs of a strange country before you arrive. If you are planning your next holiday in Thailand, there are online tour operators who can offer you a wide range of escorted packages, which will ensure that you get the most out of your holiday in this unique country called Thailand. If you are looking to write about your experience, look for help with Google adwords to get the most exposure.
