14+ Important Thailand Do’s and Dont’s for Tourists
Visiting a new country can be daunting – especially when you are not accustomed to their culture and lifestyle. In Thailand, it is extremely important to respect their culture and values while traveling through the country. I’ve listed the important Thailand Do’s and Dont’s for your visit in this Southeast Asia country.
Thailand “Do”s
1. Do Dress Appropriately –
Temples have strict dress codes that need to be adhered and honored. This includes covering your shoulders, knees, and cleavage. Thailand is extremely hot, so bring clothes that are light weight but modest to respect their culture. Most temples will even prohibit tight/torn pants (including leggings).
Signs similar to the one below are posted outside of almost all temples.
2. Do Remove Your Shoes –
This is a sign of respect when entering someone’s home or a temple. There are typically signs in place when it is expected to remove your shoes. You can also pick up on cues (is there a pile of shoes sitting outside of the building?)
3. Do Return a Wai –
“Wai” is the prayer like symbol with hands in front of your chest and head slightly bowed. It is etiquette to return a “wai” as a polite exchange.
4. Do Smile –
The “Thai Smile” has become a famous part of culture in Thailand. Thai locals are very friendly, so be sure to smile back when one smiles at you! It’s a sign of respect!
5. Do Consider a Tip –
Tipping in Thailand isn’t customary but is becoming more expected from tourists. Some restaurants will place a 10% “Service Charge” on the bill as a tip. In this case, no additional tip is required. Otherwise, tipping 10% is a sign of gratitude and respect.
Read more about Tipping in Thailand here.
6. Do Try Street Food –
Street Food is a huge part of the Thai culture. You’ll see this available in most all markets. Use your best judgement when selecting a street food vendor (ie – does the food look like it has been sitting out for hours in the sun?). Otherwise, trying Thai Street Food will give you the most authentic taste of Thailand!
7. Do Pack for All Situations
Packing for Thailand can be a bit of a challenge. You need temple clothes, rain clothes, swimming clothes, mosquito clothes, and so much more. Check out my full Thailand Packing List for more details.
Thailand “Don’t”s
1. Don’t Put Your Feet Up –
Feet are considered dirty and closest to hell in Thailand. It is incredibly insensitive to point your feet or prop them up on a table/chair.
2. Don’t Ride an Elephant –
Riding elephants is physically and mentally harmful to the elephants. They are often overworked for tourist’s pleasure. Instead, opt to go to an Elephant Sanctuary where you can feed and bathe and elephant. This is probably the most important bullet point on the list of Thailand do’s and dont’s because these animals have been torched for tourist pleasure for years. Do your research before any elephant interactions to ensure you visit a sanctuary that is safe for elephants.
3. Don’t Touch Someone’s Head –
Feet are considered the dirtiest part of the human body, and heads are considered the most sacred part of the human body. Do not touch anyone’s head, including small children. Never raise your feet higher than someone’s head either.
4. Don’t Use Your Left Hand –
This may seem like a silly rule to include in the Thailand Do’s and Dont’s but it definitely makes a difference! The left hand is considered dirty (typically used for restrooms), so the right hand is preferred in Thailand.
5. Don’t brush against a Monk –
This is especially true for Women. Women should never brush against a monk, touch a monk, or shake hands with a monk. Always respect their privacy and personal space.
6. Don’t Speak Negatively About The Royal Family –
People in Thailand have the utmost respect for their royal hierarchy. It is actually illegal to talk about the King in a disrespectful manor.
7. Don’t Drive –
If you can avoid driving in Thailand, you should! Thai roads are one of the world’s most deadliest and are quite hectic. Avoid driving if you can and leave it to the Thai who are accustomed to the roads and traffic conditions.
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Informative blog. A great help to the travelers who are visiting Thailand for the first time, through the blog traveler will get a good ethical knowledge about Thailand which helps them to visit the country peacefully.
Such a handy guide to know how to do the right thing when visiting Thailand. I like that you break it up into both do’s and don’ts.
This was a helpful read and I enjoyed learning more about the culture in Thailand through your post! I will definitely keep your insight in mind for when I finally make it there!
This is incredibly helpful. I find that people think that others are rude to tourists but that’s really not it. We don’t know that we are being rude first when we don’t look into proper behavior before traveling. I have found this to be true in France as well. They don’t hate tourists, they just don’t like rude people and we can be perceived as rude. We would be the same way if it was reversed. Thank you so much for sharing this!! I always want to be respectful when I travel.
~ Andrea | acaponeconnection.com
I completely forgot about the left hand rule! I love how going barefoot is so accepted though! It’s a great country!
I knew about a few of these from my trip to Thailand but good to know about others. I didn’t know about the left hand vs the right hand for example. Such good tips for anyone but especially for a first time visitor. I can’t imagine going all the way to Thailand and not trying street food!
This makes me miss Thailand soooo much! When we visited we DID NOT ride elephants, pet tigers, or participate in any other animal entertainment – however, we did find an elephant sanctuary that rescued injured/old elephants where we could feed/wash/pet them. Street food – delicious. Temple clothing – SO HOT. I was sweating my ass off because I was all covered up. LOVED your post!
I’ve been to Thailand a few times…. these are great tips!!! 😀