Bangkok Local Custom Tips by manice

Thai people have much respect for others. There is a hierarchy from the King at the very top to the labourers at the bottom. Everyone knows his or her position on the hierarchy tree and shows their position by way of what you could call the 'height rule'. In any social encounter the social superiors head must always be higher than the social inferiors head. The lower you stoop means you show more respect to the person you meet or are passing by.
In a school situation this is more evident and it can be quite an eye opener to watch. As a white person I am seen quite high up the hierarchy tree. This means that other teachers will stoop as they pass me even if they are much older than me. (Thai people respect their elders like we do). I do find this a bit unnerving so I tend to stoop too, thus giving them as much respect back.

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Here are just a few, but the most important rules.

Do Smile:
Thailand is known as the land of smiles. Thais do not necessarily smile about something like we do in the west. They smile for a variety of other reasons too. To say hello or thank you, to make a request, to apologize, to smooth over bad feelings or to show embarrassment.

Do show respect for the king: Thai people show great respect for their king and they expect visitors to do so too. The national anthem is played twice a day (typically at 8am and 6 pm) and also before every film at the cinema. Everyone is expected to stand whilst it is playing. You should never insult or joke about the king or royal family.

Do show respect for their main religion, for the Buddha, and for monks. Shorts or tank tops should not be worn in a temple, and shoes should be removed before entering. It is considered very improper for women to touch a monk.

Do not touch anyone on the head. The head is considered to be very sacred.

Do not point your feet at anyone or anything. This is quite hard for a westerner to follow as, without realising it, we do in some circumstances seem to use our feet quite a lot e.g closing or opening doors. I never realised how much I use my feet until I was made very conscious of it in Thailand.

Do not step over anyone instead walk around them.

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Read about their unique culture from a Thai teenager.

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