Culture in Thailand

Thailand is a country of scenic diversity and ancient traditions, with tranquil temples and modern urban excitement. With an independent history going back more than seven centuries, Thailand has managed to absorb a variety of cultural influences and blend them into something uniquely and memorably Thai.

Social Hierarchy
The culture of Thailand incorporates a great deal of influence from India, China, Cambodia, and the rest of Southeast Asia. Thailand's main theology--Theravada Buddhism--is central to modern Thai identity and belief. Like most Asian cultures, respect towards ancestors is an essential part of Thai spiritual practice. Thais have a strong sense of hospitality and generosity, but also a strong sense of social hierarchy. Seniority is an important concept in Thai culture.

Thai Way of Greeting
The traditional Thai greeting, the wai, is generally offered first by the youngest of the two people meeting, with their hands pressed together, fingertips pointing upwards as the head is bowed to touch their face to the hands. The elder then is to respond afterwards in the same way. Social status and position, such as in government, will also have an influence on who performs the wai first.

Taboos in Thailand
Taboos in Thailand include touching someone's head or pointing with the feet, as the head is considered the most sacred and the foot the dirtiest part of the body. Stepping over someone, or over food, is considered insulting. Books and other documents are the most revered of secular objects.

To attract a waiter, wave quietly with your palm down or say "Nong" (brother or sister). Never snap your fingers or raise your voice to attract a waiter. Thai culture is changing because of the contact with Western civilisation. Most Thais stick to their own culture, some are influenced by what they see on television and from tourists.

Thailand is not a country where you want to be caught smoking dope, popping pills or chopping up lines. People are caught regularly, sometimes through bad luck and sometimes through tip-offs. Sometimes they are able to pay their way out of it, other times they get locked up.

You do not want to be incarcerated in Thailand. The death penalty awaits those with sufficient quantity on them to warrant a charge of supply.

The exact extent of child prostitution, sex trafficking, and sex slavery in Thailand is not known today. Efforts are made by the Thai authorities to eradicate child prostitution in the portion of the sex trade catering to foreigners. Thai law specifies that the age of consent for sex work is 18. Do not indulge in this activity as the penalties are very severer and you will also be liable for prosecution in your country of origin.

Religious Discipline
Because of their religious discipline, Thai monks are forbidden physical contact with women. Women are therefore expected to make way for passing monks to ensure that accidental contact does not occur. When making offerings to monks, women shall place their donation at the feet of the monk or on a cloth laid on the ground or a table.