Bangkok Local Custom Tips by ancient_traveler

THAI BUDDHISM

Buddhism in Thailand has become integrated with folk beliefs such as ancestor worship as well as Chinese religions from the large Thai-Chinese population. Buddhist temples in Thailand are characterized by tall golden stupas, and the Buddhist architecture of Thailand is similar to that in other Southeast Asian countries, particularly Cambodia and Laos, with which Thailand shares cultural and historical heritage.

Website: http://www.thaibuddhism.net

LOTUS: a symbol of Buddhism

The lotus plays a very important role in many aspects of the everyday life of the Thai people and is held sacred because of its close association with Buddhism and Brahmanism. Many Brahman goddesses, have lotus blooms in their hand when portrayed in paintings. A variety of water-lilies share the same Thai name as the lotus.

Since the plant is so common in Thailand, it is one of the refreshing sights that you should not pass unnoticed while travelling in this country.

YAOWARAT, CHINESE MIXED WITH THAIS

The Thai Chinese are an overseas Chinese community who live in Thailand. Most ethnic Chinese in Thailand are proficient in the Thai language, in general, ethnic Chinese use Thai as a working language, while Chinese is spoken at home and relatives. Assimilated Thais of Chinese ancestry, on the other hand, have since use Thai in everyday life and are much less adept in Chinese. Extensive intermarriages with the Thais, especially in the past has resulted in many people who claim Chinese ethnicity with Thai ancestry, and many people of Thai ethnicity with some Chinese ancestry as well.

MRT Hualamphong station, then take a bus no 53

A DAY FOR YELLOW T-SHIRT

The government has invited people to wear the yellow T-shirt every Monday throughout the year to express their loyalty to the King on the occasion of his accession to the throne.

MONKS

Don't be supprised if you see monks all over the place, on the street or in the bus. Buddhist monks are forbidden not to close near a woman and not to touched by woman. If, as a female, you wish to give something to a monk, you must hand it to a male first who will pass it on for you.

LOTTERY MADNESS

In Thailand gambling is illegal but this ban is a classic example of no meaning yes. Go to many places around the country and it doesn’t take long to hear by word of mouth that a lot of card games and other games of chance are taking place.

The only sanctioned gambling in Bangkok is the state lottery. Go anywhere in Thailand and you will be confronted in markets and streets by lottery ticket salesman and women. Many of these people have a physical disability and the commissions from ticket sales are their only source of income. Quite often they will congregate at places such as the Erawan Shrine, which are considered to be lucky.