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Bangkok Local Custom Tips by SumTingWong

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Bangkok Local Custom Tips by SumTingWong
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SumTingWong   
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." - Gandhi


Real Name: Matt
Lives In: Beijing, CN
Member Since: Jan 22, 2003
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Bangkok Local Customs
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Feet (and Heads): Feet rules
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  • Bangkok Feet (and Heads)
  • Look at the sitting position, don't
  • point feet!
  • by SumTingWong
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  • Remember to always take your shoes off before entering the following places:

    A Wat (Temple)
    A Shrine
    Someone's Home
    Someplace Sacred
    A straw floored restaurant

    Also know that it is EXTREMELY rude to point the bottom of your feet at people. This is very important throughout Thailand. Always pay attention to how you are sitting to make sure you don't accidentally point the bottom of your feet at someone (it's like giving the middle finger in the states). AND ESPECIALLY NEVER point your feet bottoms at a shrine or Buddha image.

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    General Dos and Don'ts: Some behaviors are considered rude in public
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  • Bangkok is very different from more rural Thailand, but the culture is still basically the same. There are many things that are seen as not a big deal in the west that are extremely rude here. Here is a list of things to not do (in public) while in Bangkok, and the rest of Thailand for that matter:

    1) Do not kiss in public
    2) Do not scream in public
    3) Do not appear nude in public, even on the beaches
    4) Do not hit someone in public (common sense)
    5) Do not appear dirty in public (common sense, Thai culture is very clean)
    6) Do not disrespect holy sites
    7) Do not show the bottom of your feet in public (do not point the bottom of your feet at anyone or anything holy)

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    General Dos and Don'ts: Respectful things to consider when visiting a Wat
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  • Many of Bangkoks most important "must sees" are wats. Wat is the Thai word for a Buddhist Temple. From Wat Arun to the Royal Palace Temple of the Emerald Buddha, these places are all wats. Here is my list of thingst thar are very important to know and consider when at any wat in Thailand.

    1) Take off your shoes when entering a room where there is a Buddha image.
    2) NEVER point the bottom of your feet at a Buddha image.
    3) NEVER sit with your legs extended in front of you inside a wat building.
    4) NEVER touch a Buddha image.
    5) NEVER stand higher than a Buddha image.
    6) Do not openly turn your back on a Buddha image.
    7) Obey any rules that you are given about a place.

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    More Bangkok Tips

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    Comments for SumTingWong about Bangkok
    susanpingu Fri Feb 3, 2006 05:02 UTC
     Thanks for answering my question on VT forum......I like your travel pages.....prolific with helpful info & fabulous pics.....I hope you will update your pages after your next visit.
    gwen_tifa Fri Nov 25, 2005 19:05 UTC
     Hello there, you have really good thailand tips! I think they will come in very handy for me. :)
    imstress Mon Mar 21, 2005 01:50 UTC
     nice pic u have on BKK, i was there a month ago. I hope to visit Beijing the next time i am in China. Happy Birthday.
    tuff Tue Feb 3, 2004 20:43 UTC
     Very interesting local custom for placing the 112 coins. I am sure the money will go to good causes as Buddhism is Thailand's main religion.
    See More Comments

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