Thai Etiquette and Temple Rules for Visitors and Expats

The wai

The wai is a greeting made with the palms together and a slight bow, and it also says thank you or sorry. It follows age and status. A younger or junior person usually offers it first, and you can return it. You do not need to wai a child or a person serving you, and a nod and a smile work well. A higher, deeper wai is used for monks and for Buddha images.

Visiting a temple

Temples are active places of worship, not just sights. Cover your shoulders and knees, and avoid tight, see-through or sleeveless clothing. Take off your shoes where indicated, and step over the threshold rather than on it. Hats and sunglasses come off inside a temple building, and voices stay low with your phone on silent.

Major temples and royal sites enforce the dress code more strictly, and staff may turn you away. Wat Chalong, Phuket's best-known temple, expects modest dress too.

Buddha images and monks

• Never touch, climb on or pose rudely with a Buddha image.
• Keep your head lower than the image and than monks, and do not sit higher than them.
• Sit with your feet tucked behind you or crossed, never pointing at an image or a person.
• Women should not touch a monk or hand something to one directly, and should place an item on a cloth or let a man pass it.
• Ask permission before taking photographs inside prayer halls, and follow signs.
• Tourists often take a small donation, which is welcome but not required.

Head, feet and hands

The head is regarded as the highest and most respected part of the body, and the feet as the lowest. Do not touch a person's head, even a child's, and do not point at things or people with your feet, put your feet on furniture, or step over people or food. Use your right hand, or both hands, to give and receive things.

The monarchy

The royal family is deeply respected, and Thailand has strict lèse-majesté laws that cover insults or criticism of the monarchy, including online posts. Treat royal images with respect, and never step on or damage banknotes or coins, which carry the king's portrait. Stand when the national anthem is played in public places or the royal anthem before a film. If in doubt, avoid the topic.

Staying calm

Thai social life values calm and 'saving face'. Raising your voice, shouting or showing anger in public is seen as a loss of control and rarely helps. In a dispute, a quiet tone and a smile, with a clear request, works better than confrontation. This matters in shops, at the landlord's office and in traffic.

Everyday habits

• Remove your shoes when entering a home, and sometimes a shop or a clinic, if you see shoes at the door.
• Dress modestly away from the beach. Walking through town or into a shop in swimwear is considered rude.
• Keep public displays of affection modest.
• Tipping is not obligatory, but a small tip for good service is appreciated, and a service charge may already be on the bill.
• Bargain politely at markets, and do not haggle in shops with fixed prices.
• Learn a few Thai words. Even a simple hello and thank you is welcomed.