What are some Thai customs?
Many Thai customs and traditions take some getting used to.
- Don’t Touch The Head. It is important that you don’t touch a Thai person’s head or ruffle their hair.
- Take Off Your Shoes, Always!
- Keeping Your Cool.
- Ducking Down When Walking Between Two People.
- Don’t Point!
What is Thai culture known for?
Often referred to as ‘the Land of Smiles’, Thailand is renowned for the welcoming and warm disposition of its culture and people. Rice plantations and ornate temples are interspersed in and around busy cosmopolitan cities, reflecting the diversity of landscapes and lifestyles.
What is Thailand’s family culture?
The general structure of Thai families is patriarchal, with the household deferring to the oldest living man. Often, several generations will live under the same roof, and grandparents, aunts and older siblings will help raise a child.
How do you show respect in Thailand?
In Thailand, a wai, a gesture where you place your hand together in a “praying” sign at chest level, is a polite greeting. To show more respect, raise the wai higher, to your chin or nose-level.
Why can’t you touch a Thai person’s head?
Don’t touch people’s heads In Thailand, the head is considered sacred and the cleanest part of the body, so it’s deemed offensive to touch people’s heads or hair. If you slip up and do this accidently, apologise as soon as you can and you’ll find most Thais will quickly forgive you for it.
Why is pointing rude in Thailand?
Traditionally, Thais consider feet to be the lowest and filthiest part of the body. As such, pointing your feet at another person or sacred item – such as a statue of the Buddha – is considered extremely disrespectful.
Is eye contact rude in Thailand?
Pointing with a single finger is considered to be rude and accusatory. Eye Contact: Eye contact shows attentiveness to the person talking. When being instructed or spoken to by a superior, it is respectful to lower one’s eyes. Height and Bowing: An important way Thais show respect is through lowering their head.
Can you wear red in Thailand?
Of course, it is perfectly safe to wear a red shirt in Thailand! Unless that is you wear one and join a mass demonstration against the army’s orders… Red is an auspicious color in Thailand cause of the Thai-Chinese, and Sunday is the ‘red day of the week’.
Is it rude to shake hands in Thailand?
Don’t shake hands in Thailand Travelling through Thailand you will notice the Thai “wai”, a greeting performed by a slight bow, with the palms pressed together in a prayer-like fashion. Handshakes are not a traditional greeting in Thailand and many people may feel uncomfortable engaging in this very western greeting.
What does the V sign mean in Thailand?
The V sign shown with an open palm and used throughout the world is a sign of peace or victory.
What is the unlucky number in Thailand?
The number 13 is missing in Thailand, it is bad luck! In elevators, this number is usually replaced by “12A”.
What does thumbs up mean in Thailand?
This is good
Can you hold hands in Thailand?
For you these are just souvenirs, for Thais it is their cultural heritage. * It is not polite to express your private affection by hugging and kissing your partener in public places. Holding hands is OK for foreigners, but rarely seen at locals.
What does KHAP mean in Thai?
Sawasdee (khap/ka) – “Hello” If you’ve stepped into Thailand before, you definitely would have heard this phrase before. Countless times! It generally means hello, but it can also serve as good morning, good afternoon, and goodbye.
What does Kapunka mean?
In Thailand, to say thank you, you say ‘kapunka’ if you are a female, and ‘kapunkap’ if you are a male. We used it a lot. Thailand means Free Land. …
What does Sawadee ka mean?
1. Sawadee krap/ka: Hello. A cheery greeting can go a long way in the Land of Smiles. Sawadee krap/ka will often be met with a huge grin! You can use the same phrase to bid someone goodbye too.