
Before you check in to your respective hotels in Thailand, there are a few very simple ways to make a visit or vacation in Thailand pleasurable and rewarding. First, greet your hosts with the wai, an important custom among the Thai people in greeting at themselves and foreign visitors. You place your palms together with the fingers pointed upward and bend your head toward the other person. With this gesture, you signify your respect for the Thai people and their country.
Once you do the wai, everyone in Thailand will welcome you to their hearth and home. Be sure that you do so in appropriate clothing however because some Thai elders will be offended if you do the wai bare to the waist or in spaghetti straps in the case of women. Unless you’re on the beach, it is advised that visitors greet locals amply dressed.
This is not to say that the Thai people will exhibit hostility if you show disrespect for their customs and traditions. The Thais are a most gracious and hospitable people but respecting their customs will place visitors at an advantage.
Respect for Thai culture also means respect for Buddhism, the predominant religion in the country. Remember that the Buddhist temples are very holy structures to them. So you have to show respect to any statue depicting Buddha, which means no climbing on them, no sitting beside them for any photo, and never putting a Buddha figure on the ground.
If you visit a Buddha temple, come in modest clothing. In case you’re wearing clothes deemed inappropriate, the flowing robe called sarong is available in most temples. Whether on your knees or sitting inside a temple you must not let the soles of your feet face toward the altar. Women are also not supposed to touch any objects and hand them over to some monk. If you want to return something to some monk you need to put it on the nearby table where he can then retrieve it. Some monks have a more liberal viewpoint on this and have no problem with touching a ladies wrist to tie a string around it or perhaps a gentle touch on the shoulder. But always follow the monks’ lead.