Etiquette and Cultural Norms in Thailand: Important Dos and Don’ts

Table Of Contents

Updated:

Thailand’s culture has its own pecularities, as well as unusual for someone social rules and laws. That is why before the trip its worth learning what is not allowed in Thailand, how to behave to avoid any troubles.

Although Thailand is called the “Land of Smiles,” the smiles of Thais can be different. Although some of the things the foreigners do can hurt locals, but they try to ignore them. Even if you’re not sure how to behave correclty, try to be polite.

Keep reading this guide on do’s and don’ts for tourists in Thailand; essential knowledge of cultural norms will help to avoid troubles with law violations and many unpleasant situations.

What a tourist should not do in Thailand

Most Important Don’ts in Thailand

Some of these prohibitions are not respected by Thais themselves, while others can lead to heavy prison sentences. In order not to take any chances, you should not break any of the rules:

  • No disrespect should be shown to the king and his family. Talking in a negative tone, mocking jokes – all this is forbidden. By the way, throwing or tearing money is also not allowed – it depicts the monarch. You can be deported or imprisoned for such behavior.
  • No smoking or littering on beaches. The fine is $60. Unfortunately, almost no one abides by this law.
  • It is also forbidden to swim topless on public beaches. For this you can get a fine of up to 5000 Thai baht.
  • It is forbidden to ride on the foot of the tuk-tuk. The fine is similar – $60. But this injunction is observed by absolutely no one.
  • Alcohol behind the wheel is prohibited. It’s being monitored tightly. Penalties are up to $1,000.
  • The biggest fine is up to $30,000! – are given for smoking hookah and electronic cigarettes in a public place. But this does not prevent Thais from opening illegal hookah houses.
  • The harshest penalties in Thailand are for possession, distribution and use of drugs (except marijuana, which is legalized). If you are caught, they will give you up to twenty years in prison. If the use was connected with another crime, such a misdemeanor could be punishable by death. Drug addicts are almost never deported – they are left in Thai prisons.
  • The feet are the dirtiest part of the human body. They should not be placed on a table or chair, or in a position where they are above someone’s head. This is considered the rudest behavior in Thailand. Even if you are sitting on the ground, fold your feet so that your feet are not visible to people.
  • While the feet are considered the dirtiest part of the body, the head, on the other hand, is considered the most sacred. So never touch a person’s head or hair. Even if you just want to pet the baby.
  • Pointing a finger at a person is considered indecent and rude in many cultures. In Thailand, for example, if you want to point at a person, do it not with your finger but with your chin outstretched in their direction.
  • Excessive emotion is not welcome in any situation. Always remain restrained and cold-blooded.
  • Take off your shoes. This rule applies if you are going to enter a temple or someone’s home. Such rules may apply in some establishments as well, so look to see if the shoes are in front of the entrance.
  • Always make a reciprocal wai – a prayer gesture where the hands are placed together and the head is slightly tilted. Not responding to this gesture is considered very rude. Kings or monks could afford it. If at that moment you have something in your hands, you do not need to make the gesture itself, just a small bow is enough.
  • When paying for purchases or handing over items, do so with your right hand. Since the left one is more often used for “toilet stuff”.
  • Eat with a spoon. Hold it in your right hand and the fork in your left. You can only put something into a spoon with a fork, but not pull it into your mouth.
Bans for tourists in Thailand

What you can’t bring in or take out of Thailand

To avoid trouble, you should not only know what is not allowed in Thailand, but for the importation of which products you can get up to jail time.

What not to take to Thailand:

  • weapons (including edged weapons);
  • narcotic substances;
  • pornographic materials.

For all this, the death penalty can be imposed in Thailand. Alcohol and cigarettes are allowed. Jewelry, too, but you must declare it, so you should not wear all the jewelry from your home box.

Rules of conduct in Thailand

What you can’t take out of Thailand:

  • shells and other inhabitants of the sea depths;
  • products made of elephant bones and turtle shells;
  • stamps from the post office;
  • Some fruits (durian, watermelon, etc.);
  • soil in any quantity (with a pot of soil and a flower you will not be allowed through customs);
  • Any souvenirs with the image of Buddha whose height exceeds 12 centimeters.
What you can't take out of Thailand

Before traveling to Thailand, familiarize yourself with the customs regulations so that there will be no problems at the border. As for the import or export of foreign currency, there are no restrictions at this time. The only thing is that if you bring in an amount that exceeds or equals 20,000 dollars, it will need to be declared.

If you plan to make a money transfer for this amount, you will need to fill out the appropriate form.

There is no ban on imports of Thai currency in the country, but there are certain restrictions on exports. If you are leaving one of the neighboring countries, you can take out up to 500,000 baht. In this case you do not need to obtain additional permission.

If you want to take more than 50,000 Baht out to any country other than neighboring countries, you will need to get permission from the bank. It will then have to be presented at customs.

Tags

Services We Recommend