©
David Debrincat
Thailand Travel Guide
©
David Debrincat
When visiting Thailand, you will have the pleasure of encountering an extremely respectful people. You yourself will also need to respect a whole range of rules governing daily life there. But this is nothing to worry about. You just need to make sure you're aware of them. There are some you can even continue to apply when you return from your trip.
It's the most important rule to respect when visiting Thailand. The king and the royal family are extremely well respected. Criticizing or saying anything bad about them is out of the question. In fact it's punishable by law. One foreigner, for example, spent several years in prison for defacing a portrait of Bhumibol Adulyadej in the street with a graffiti tag. Accidentally walking on something that carries the king's portrait can also cause you problems. Furthermore, if you are walking in the street and hear music that makes everyone stand up or stop walking, adopt the same behaviorand wait for the national anthem to finish.
In Thailand, losing face is the greatest shame of all. It is absolutely unthinkable for a Thai person to become hysterical, shout or get angry. It is something that simply isn't done, especially in public. Such attitudes are regarded as absolutely degrading. Whatever the situation, you should stay calm and smile. By doing this you will avoid aggravating a conflict and making a spectacle of yourself. Nothing is more important for Thai people than to maintain their dignity and hold their heads up high, to such an extent that they wouldn't know how to react if they were to see you become very angry.
To complete your education in the rules of propriety, something else you need to be aware of, for example, is that you must remove your shoes before entering a house. This does not always apply in hotels. So if in doubt, ask. Shoes should automatically be removed when entering temples. And don't go inside them unless you are wearing clothing that covers your arms and legs.
You should also be aware that smoking in public places is prohibited. Additionally, throwing your cigarette butt or litter in the street instead of a trash can will cost you €100. If you ride on a bus, do not sit in the seats at the front. These are reserved for monks. Touching someone's head is a sign of contempt. This is the part of the body where the soul resides. And finally, holding hands in public represents the absolute limit where displays of affection by couples are concerned.
