Thai Etiquette

The world-famous 'Wai' When-ever a Thai addresses you or you come into their visual presence it's a hundred-to-one that they will put their hands together in a prayer-ful manner and smiling acknowledge you with their world-famous salutation. Is an across-the-board salutation used absolutely everywhere you go in Thailand so believe us when we say that the surest way to any Thai's heart is to show this same kind of respect for their beloved Buddhism which governs their everyday lives.

Speaking from the Heart
More than 100 words and phrases in Thai language revolves around the heart. The Thai word for heart is "chai" and expressions like "chai yin yin" (let your heart cool down) are spoken politely and with concern to people who are upset, "chai lawn" (hot heart) spoken about people who are easily upset and "chai dee" a compliment to people with a good heart.

Speak Politely
Even if the words are not fully understood, your feelings are! Always remember you are a guest in this country, no matter how long you live here. Loud talking, using foul words and in particular the three words liar "gohoke in Thai", bullsh*t and f*ck, make people here cringe in polite society. Remember that English is not their language. It is your language, and they are trying hard to accommodate you in speaking English because you cannot speak Thai. Lots of polite, slow moving hand gestures with a nice smile will help you communicate with almost everyone. They may not understand every word you say, but they understand your emotions when you say them so do not be trite or condescending.

Patience
Being patient is considered good manners, and will get you respect. Take your time with people, and try to understand them. Like other Asian societies, Thai culture is centered on the family unit, the pecking order and keeping "face." This means that as a foreigner, please respect your Thai hosts in all ways, no matter what their station in life might be. A Buddhist believes that their station in life may change in the next life, or may have been significantly different in a previous life, so they are tolerant and accepting of all people. When dealings with Thais go wrong, don't get angry. It won't help matters! Losing one's temper means loss of face for all concerned. Remember that you are in Asia, where self-control is most important. Thais consider talking loudly to be rude behavior in most situations.

Spending More Time Talking Gets Results
Spend time slowly and politely talking with Thais in a pleasant voice without over-explaining things. Details are not too important to Thais. Getting to the point in a slow polite way so they can help you is what is important. If you want to have a personal relationship with someone you are attracted to, spend time answering and asking "What's your name?", "Where do you come from?", "How old are you?", "What work do you do?" and the other few often asked questions used to break the ice and start a dialogue and maybe a relationship.

Verbal Greetings
For males, the usual Thai greeting for hello is Sawa-dee-kap, if you are female the greeting is Sawa-dee-kaa. Using this greeting is appreciated by Thais in the city, or in the countryside. "How are you?" is spoken "Sabai dee mi krap (kaa for women) ?" and answered "Sabai dee krap (kaa)."

Gesture Greetings
Traditionally Thais do not shake hands, but greet each other with a "wai". This is the gesture of placing the palms together before one's face and giving a slight nod of the head. If you are greeted by a Thai adult with a wai, you should wai in response. However, Thais nowadays also shake hands, and will almost always offer a handshake to foreigners. You do not return a wai to children, but a nod. If you have something in your hands it is polite to lower your shoulders and head a bit and nod to acknowledge the wai you received. The higher the rank of the recipient the higher you hold your hands making the wai. You bow to royalty, not wai.

Visiting Homes
Did you fall in love and now you are going up-country to meet the family? Well be prepared! Thais can be very hospitable and it's not unusual to be invited home for a meal or a sociable drink. Even if your visit is very brief, you will be offered something to eat or drink, and probably both. You are expected to take whatever is offered, and even if you are not hungry or thirsty or not, you should at least try it. To refuse it is considered to be impolite. As with temple buildings, you must always take off your shoes before entering a Thai home.

How to Receive a Business "Name" Card
Accepting a "name" card as Thais say is accepting a symbol of that person. Either use two hands and accept the corners closest to you while it is be presented to you, or accept it with your right hand while touching your right arm with your left hand. Then slowly place the card in front of you if you are at on the table, and leave it there until the person and you say good-bye. Do not just quickly put it in your pocket or wallet right when it is given to you.

How to Offer a Business Card or Document
When you hand things to people, you should use either both hands, or your right hand only. Never use your left hand (this is reserved for bathroom personal hygiene). Books and other written materials are given a special status over other secular objects. You should not slide books or documents across a table or counter, and never place them on the floor. Use a chair if table space isn't available.

Shoes
Thais do not wear shoes in their homes. All temples and some guesthouses, offices and shops also request that you not wear shoes. A good rule of thumb is that if there are shoes by the door or the entrance, you need to remove your shoes before you enter. It is important not to ignore this custom as the wearing of shoes indoors is considered very ill-mannered.

Pointing Feet Can Represent Disrespect
Your feet are the lowest part of your body, and are considered dirty. You should never point your feet at people, or point at things with your feet, or move things with your feet. You should also not prop your feet up on chairs or tables, or touch someone's body with your foot. Never point your feet towards Monks or Buddhist images ever weather in a temple, home or office. If you are at a temple "Wat" sit mermaid style with your legs under your bottom if sitting in lotus position is uncomfortable, but never extend your feet out or show the bottoms of your feet toward religious images or people. It is also considered rude to step over someone. Always step around them, or if there is no other way to pass by, ask them to please move, even on a crowded train.

The Head is the Temple of the Body
In the same way, the head is regarded as the highest part of the body, so you should not touch adult Thais on the head, or muss their hair. If you do touch someone's by accident, you should apologize right away. Also don't sit on pillows for sleeping.

Bathrooms
Learning bathroom etiquette in Thailand, as in many other Southeast Asian countries, is a challenge because the squat toilet is the norm, except in hotels and guesthouses geared towards tourists and international business travelers. The bathroom may be outside in its own little building. The traditional Asian toilet is more or less flush with the surface of the floor, with two foot-pads on either side of the opening. For those who have never used this type of toilet, it may take some getting used to. Next to the toilet is a bucket or small reservoir filled with water, and usually with a plastic bowl floating on the water, or on the floor nearby. The water and bowl has two functions. The first is for the user to scoop water from the reservoir and use it to clean themselves. The second function is to flush the toilet. This is because they are not mechanical flush type toilets. A few scoops should be sufficient. The next person in will appreciate your understanding of how to use the toilet!