Bangkok Local Custom Tips by zazatann

Temple is not the beach. General Dos and Don'ts Review

For the Buddhist, going to the temple is quite special thing for us to do. We believe that there’re many angels or good spirits protect the monastery. We will not do anything to find it as disrespect way to the place. Even though some area of the temple is nice and cool to lay down and take a nap but try not to do please because it doesn’t look nice for when a hundred of people come to pray and walk pass you. We feel like you’re relaxing on the beach….

'Wai' for good reason and situation The Wai - Traditional Thai Greeting Review

As you know we do 'Wai' by put both of your hands on your chest and bend your head a little bit to hands.
'Wai' is for
1) Greeting
2) Thank
3) Good Bye
4) Apologize
5) Praying to the Buddha
6) Begging

But!!! Do you know ? We don't 'Wai' to everyone. Thai people pay respect to someone who is older as senior and we respect them as boss in a service business. So, please don't 'Wai' to anyone who is younger than you. Younger people won't feel comfortable to get your 'Wai' first. But if they do to you, you'll have to accept them back by do it the same after that.

Don't have to 'Wai' everyone who you don't know. For example; if you buy something in the shop, you don't have to 'Wai' the owner because you're the customer unless they invite you to stay over or join food with them. 'Wai' must be feeling or meaning to that person.

But whether you do right or wrong, Thai people are still happy to see you do that because we like what you try to do as our custom.

Supertitious

Thai people are very superstitious and quite religious especially people in a country side. They will try to do anything to make them get lucky. Going to a special monk in a famous temple is one of activity for them to do. They'll ask for a monk to give a special spiritual into their body such as making tattoo for protection. putting gold leave into their mouth (eat) for getting nice speech for business or love or their forehead to keep that sacred inside their body.

However, This is just a personal belief of some Thais, NOT EVERYONE in this country do. Just some do that!!!!

Touching body for sharing goodness

When we do something together but the thing that we share is too small for everyone or too far. We usually touch body of a person who mainly do that thing for us as touching is like linking or connecting each other. This is not necessary to do but just some people will do and we believe that we share making goodness together. So, it's mainly touch for doing something good and share to each other.

For example, giving a present and wish to someone, making merit in a temple by pouring lucky water during a chanting.

Oh well, it's quite complicated to explain to you even though I'm Thai.

Crown

Have you ever seen Thai dancing? Have you ever seen the King wears a crown's picture? Actually, the crown is what they put on their head and head is the most sacred part on our body in Thai belief. So, we will pay respect to a crown before we put on our head. That's what we believe that there is where the spirit stays when we dance such as he or she is our master for dancing. When we put a crown down, we'll keep in a high position, not on the floor.

Don't kiss in public General Dos and Don'ts Review

Thailand is quite conservative country. We're polite and don't kiss by lips in public. When you want to come and see Thai life and culture, please respect our country as don't do like we normally don't. There are still so many people do that which we don't mind though but just don't feel comfortable to see much because you're quite outstanding here as the visitor.

You may not know what people talk in Thai language when you both are kissing so sweet in a front of us.

Insect fried is just regional specialty food People Review

When you walk along street and you see these insect fried such as grasshopper, bamboo worm, and hard wing insects or baby birds. Could you please understand that it's just local food for some region of Thailand? As you know that Bangkok is like the most civilize city in this country. There’re many people from every part of Thailand move and find a job to work here. Some people are still get use to with eating this kind of food which they get use to. That’s why there is a lot of this kind of food sells along street.

Insect fried could look disgusting for some of you but for me. It’s just a type of food that somebody can eat and some can’t. I can’t eat as well because the region where I came from has no kind of this food at all. So, please note that it’s not typical Thai food but just special type of food for some of people here.

By the way, I’ve tired grasshopper and bamboo worm fried though. I still confirm that it’s not bad but I’d rather eat chicken. Ha….

Food bargain General Dos and Don'ts Review

As you know that shopping in Thailand is great fun. Some people think that it's like games to make you feel proud when you get the cheapest price. O.K. you can have fun but please notice that price that you go to shop is not all the same. Notice!!! Tourist market like night market is more expensive price from local market. So, Thai people in local area don’t have any reason to charge you more than normal. Please bargain just a little bit like 5-20 Baht only.

Whatever, even though Thai loves to bargain but we accept all food that we buy. We don’t bargain food even though it’s expensive but we will pay without complain.