Dos

Thai culture

Thai culture is incredibly warm and welcoming; Thai people are both open to other people’s religious and political beliefs and very proud of their own culture. 

The Monarchy

In Thai culture, people have *a deep, traditional reverence for the royal family, and visitors should be careful to show respect for the King, the Queen and the royal family, as well as any image of royal family members. 

Religion

Visitors should *dress neatly in all religious shrines.

Social Norms of Thailand Culture

Thais don't normally shake hands when they greet one another

, but instead press their palms together in a prayer-like gesture called a wai. Generally, a younger person or person of lesser social status wais an elder or more senior person, who then returns the gesture.

"Wai"

Special advices

*Beware of unauthorized people who offer their services as guides. 

For all tourist information, contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tel: 1672. For information about Bangkok, contact the Bangkok Metropolitan Tourist Bureau, Tel :66(0)2-225 7612 to 4.

*Observe all normal precautions in regards to personal safety, as well as the safety of your belongings.

*Walking alone on quiet streets or deserted areas is not recommended. Be sure that all your valuables-money, jewelry, and airline tickets are properly protected from loss. Visitors needing assistance relating to safety, unethical practices, or other matters, please call the Tourist Police at Tel: 1155.

*Drop your garbage into a waste container.

 (The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is beginning to strictly enforce the littering law in an effort to keep the city clean. The fine will be imposed on a person who spits, discards cigarette stubs, or drops rubbish in public areas.)

*Always be respectful to the elderly, in every situation. 

If you are bargaining at the market with a seller who is obviously older than you are, or if you are bargaining with a tuk-tuk driver who is older than you, do this in a polite way, with a smile on your face and don't be rude. (Apart from being considered to be a polite person, as a bonus you will see the result in the price!)

*Shoes should be removed when entering a private Thai home and some places of business.

, if you are invited to visit somebody in his/her home. Do the same at other places where the Thai people do so too (for instance before entering beauty salons, hair dressers etc.). It is very common to see something like shown on the picture below when you enter a Thai house.

*Have some patience 

when you have to do business in an bank or in a post office.

Sometimes you will have to wait for a long time, but the Thais are accustomed to that and will find your behavior quite badly if you become impatient. Just relax and wait for your turn!