Is Thailand a safe country?
Thailand is generally a safe country to visit, but it’s smart to exercise caution, especially when it comes to dealing with strangers (both Thai and foreigners) and travelling alone. Assault of travellers is relatively rare in Thailand, but it does happen.
What should I avoid in Thailand?
1. Places for backpackers to stay
- Avoid: Khao San Road.
- Instead: Sukhumvit and Siam Square are popular and convenient alternatives.
- Avoid: Bargaining a flat rate with a taxi driver.
- Instead: Insist on using the meter – it’s illegal for taxi drivers to refuse.
- Avoid: Ping Pong Shows.
What is Thailand known for?
Thailand is known for its stunning beaches, the friendly people, elephants, and for having the yoga-like Thai massage. Other things Thailand is famous for are; delicious food like pad thai, som tum and mango sticky rice, as well as temples, tuk-tuks, floating markets and full moon parties.
Do and don’ts in Thailand?
Don’t place your feet on the table while sitting, don’t point to anything with your feet and don’t touch anybody with your feet. Don’t raise your voice or lose your temper; try and be jai yen. Don’t be offended by questions about age, marital status or what you do for a living.
What is considered 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 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.
Why is it disrespectful to touch a Thai person’s head?
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.
What is the most respected body part in Thailand?
head
Are guns illegal in Thailand?
Thailand has had a gun ownership law since 1947. The Act Concerning Firearms, Ammunition, and Explosives allows people to obtain gun licenses for the purposes of self-defense, protection of property, sports or hunting. The law was amended in 2017 to limit gun ownership to Thai citizens only.
What are 5 interesting facts about Thailand?
17 Interesting, Unusual and Fun Facts about Thailand
- Thailand is the only country in South-East Asia that has never been colonised under European power.
- The first known Siamese twins were born in Thailand.
- Speaking about Siamese…
- Home to an exorbitantly priced delicacy made from saliva.
- Every year there is a festival dedicated entirely to monkeys in Thailand.
Can you touch a monk?
Women are not allowed to touch a monk or walk in front of a monk. Women must not only remove hats and shoes, but cover their legs and shoulders before entering a temple. Women are not allowed to be monks, but can be nuns. In order to be enlightened, one must be a monk, and in order to be a monk, one must be a man.
Do monks have to be virgins?
Priests, nuns, and monks take a vow of celibacy when they are initiated into the Church. Most religions advise both the males and females to remain celibate until they take marital vows. Thus, celibacy is not the same as virginity. It is voluntary, and it can be practiced by those who have had intercourse before.
Why can’t Buddhist shake hands?
The monk who shakes hand with you may like it or feel pleasure. It’s a goof, and he has to make it through punishment according to discipline. The punishment is similar to house arrest. He has to reflect himself or retraining for 10 days.
Can a girl become a monk?
Officially, only men can become monks and novices in Thailand under a Buddhist order that since 1928 has forbidden the ordination of women. The country does not recognize female monks or novices.
Do monks marry?
Monastics in Japan are particularly exceptional in the Buddhist tradition because the monks and nuns can marry after receiving their higher ordination. Some Korean monks live with wives in their monasteries. Monks of certain Chinese Buddhist sects are allowed to marry, such as in historical Yunnan, Lingnan and Taiwan.
Do nuns shave their head?
Most Catholic nuns and sisters no longer shave their heads. Cutting off the hair was a gesture that symbolized the gift of all herself that the religious sister or nun gives to God, including her femininity and her sexuality. It was also an act of renouncement of vanity.
Why Mundan is done after death?
Mundan, as they call it, is the ritual of shaving the head post the death of an elderly member in the family. It is believed that shaving off the hair helps men to let go of their ego. It gives them a sense of responsibility and reminds them to be obedient and become more selfless while performing their deeds.
Can you just become a monk?
It doesn’t take a whole lot to become a monk. You will need to have a basic understanding of Buddhism (which, if you intend to ordain, you will likely have). Otherwise, a sincere intent to practice the Buddhist teachings is all you need.
Can I be a monk for a year?
Most (perhaps all, perhaps only Mahayana) Buddhist traditions allow monks to leave. In some countries (possibly Tibet, S. Korea, and/or Japan) there is a tradition (less common today than in the past) to send one’s children to the monastery for a couple years of monastic training. Some choose to stay for many years.
Can a married man become a monk?
They cannot become a monk or oblate specifically because those words refer to monastic orders like Benedictines, not to mendicant orders like Franciscans, who become friars, brothers and tertiaries. They don’t live in communities like a friar or a brother would, they would just live in their own houses.
Can a man be a nun?
“ A nun itself is defined as “a woman who has taken vows” or “a member of a religious community of women, especially a cloistered one, living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.” Therefore, though there doesn’t seem to be an official doctrine against it, if you’re a guy, you’re not a nun.
Do nuns get periods?
Nuns, being childless, generally have no break from periods through their lives.