Thai CultureBy Jack Green

Customs of Thailand• The Wai• Gift Giving• Dining manners • politeness

The Wai

The Wai is the most common and respectful greeting in Thailand in which the junior person of any sort (age, business etc.) holds their hands to their chest, put their heads down and bow to the senior person of any sort. The higher the Hands and the lower the head, the more respectful it is. If your hands are raised to your head then it is considered towards a god and if done to a human will be considered very rude

PS. Junior does not always mean lower age E.g. a student is junior to their teacher, a child to their parent, a player to their coach, a rookie to a champ

Gift Giving

If you are invited to another household you may want to present the host/hostess with a gift. Common types of gifts are, boxes of chocolate, baskets of fruits and specific types of flowers. Do not bring carnations or marigold flowers as they are associated with funerals. If you wrap the gift do not wrap the gift in blue, green or black.

PS. A gift is not necessary but appreciated by the host

Dining manners

Use a fork and spoon for most meals, but use chopsticks for noodles-hold the spoon in your right and your fork on your left. You may begin eating as soon as you are served but do not take seconds until you are asked to. Do not leave rice on your plate as it is considered wasteful and do not take the last of the food from the serving bowl. Be sure not to lick your fingers

PS. If you are full, leave some food on your plate, if you are still hungry, finish all your food.

Politeness

If invited to another household, look to see if your host is wearing shoes or not, if so keep them on, if not take them off. When entering another household be sure to step over the threshold. It is very disrespectful to show others the bottom of your foot as the foot is considered to be the dirtiest part of the body in Thailand.

PS. If you are unsure of the dress code ask another guest for confirmation.

Religions of Thailand• Buddhism • Islam

Buddhism

Buddhism is the religion in Thailand for over 90% of the population. Buddhists believe that everybody has several lives, how many depending on whether you have learnt your lessons to become a good person and whether or nor you have received karma for things you have done in past lives. Buddhists believe that being greedy and selfish will end up in suffering. Happiness and selflessness will end fortunately.

Islam

Islam is the correct word for the religious practice of Muslims. For Muslims is not allowed to eat pork because Allah almighty forbid his servants to eat pork because they were believed to be unclean in the emperors eyes. It is also traditional that Muslim males wear a hijab, which in Arabic literally means “curtain”

Transportation in Thailand• Sky Train• Metered Cabs• Tuk-tuks• Samlor• Boats and Ferries

Sky Train

Bangkok’s elevated rail is very useful for travel within the city

No other Thai cities have rails used for travel within the city

Metered Cabs

Are common in major cities of Thailand like Bangkok Good for short travels into the countryside

Tuk-Tuks

A three wheeled open air motorized cab Good for short distance travel Made for two-four people Negotiate a payment in advance because they are not metered

Samlor Much like a tuk-tuk but not motorized For short distances E.g. In a neighborhood Negotiate a fare in advance

Boats and Ferries In Bangkok, Boat rides are very pleasant as long as

the river flows in your direction Bring a map to know when your stop is on the boat

ride Very inexpensive

Bibliography

http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/thailand-country-profile.html

My Thailand Transportation PowerPoint