Do's and Don'ts

DO respect Thai traditions. Although Thais mostly tolerate visitors disrespect, offense upon images of Buddha or the Royal Family is prohibited.

DO take off your shoes upon entering a Thai house. This is not just a religious custom but has practical consequences. Additionally, it is rude to point your feet at anyone or make any sort of gesture with them.

DO honor Buddhism and anything related to the religion.
Clothes that leave parts of the body exposed are unacceptable when entering Buddhist temples. This extends to footwear such as sandals and slippers.

DO make sure you have sufficient travel insurance and that it covers things like medical care and other unexpected troubles.

DO take care of your valuables at all times and report any loss immediately to the nearest tourist police office.

DO be attentive when driving in Thailand. Only rent cars from companies that offer full insurance coverage.

DO be cautious with your passport and other belongings. Stay aware to prevent theft etc.

DON'T take any action that may insult the Royal Family. The King and the Royal Family are held in highest regard by Thais. This rule also applies to specific objects, such as money bearing the King's portrait.

DON'T export any Buddha images, works of art or antiques.

DON'T initiate a 'wai', only reply to one. Do not 'wai' servants and children. A 'Wai' is the traditional Thai greeting of placing the hands together.

DON'T drink tap water. Bottled water is cheap and available everywhere.

DON'T carry items through customs for somebody else unless you know the contents. Penalties for drug trafficking are severe.

DON'T purchase jewelry unless it is from an authentic seller. Numerous scams have taken place in recent years. Make sure you deal only with accredited sellers, check their documents beforehand.

DON'T overstay. Fines are enforced for each day in Thailand past the date of the visa expiry, currently Baht 500 per day.

Traditions and rules of behavior
Thailand is famous for its hospitality and tolerance towards foreign people, so, it will be easy for you to stick to Thai customs and traditions. Most of them are common but there are also some traditional rules. According to Thai laws, norms and traditions you should follow these rules during your stay:

MONARCHY:
The King and the Royal Family are held in highest regard by Thais, tourists are also expected to show their respect for King, Queen and their children. In the movie theatre, for example, Thai hymn is playing and the picture of King is shown on the screen before the beginning of the movie. You are must stand during the hymn.

RELIGION:
Tourists should treat statues and pictures of Buddha respectfully.

During the visit to Buddhist Temples you should wear the appropriate clothes:

You can not wear hot pants, t-shirts with short sleeves which uncovers your shoulders. You should take off your shoes before you enter the Temple.

It is not commonly accepted in Thai society to touch each other, especially to touch somebody’s head.

It is rude to point your feet at anyone (including pictures of Buddha) or make any sort of gesture with them.

Buddhist monks can not touch a woman, that’s why women should keep them at arm’s length. If a woman would like to pass something to the monk, she is supposed to pass it through man, or to put the present on the robe in font of the monk.

COMMON RULES OF BEHAVIOR.
Penalties for drug trafficking are severe. There were some cases when foreign people were sentenced to long term imprisonment.

Do not carry large amounts of money with you, please, use free safe-boxes in hotels.

A hotel is not liable for personal valuable guests’ belongings which are left in the room. Do not leave your valuable belongings unattended on the beach and in public areas.

Please use bottled water for drinking, it is cheap and available everywhere.

It is possible to rent cars, motorbikes and bicycles in all cities and islands. The deposit is usually required: passport or money. Please check the insurance of the hired vehicle because not all the companies provide it. In case of an accident you will bear all the juristic and material responsibilities. If you have an accident in drunken condition - a massive fine will be imposed.

It is not acceptable to raise your voice on each other. If any problem appeared the best way is to discuss arguable issues calmly.

You should purchase products made of precious metals and stones only in specialized shops, which are ready to provide you with a certificate for this product.

Be careful when booking tours with taxi drivers or in street agencies, these services are often of very poor quality.

We hope that your respect for the laws and traditions of Thailand will make your trip safe and enjoyable.