The wai and everyday politeness

The wai, palms together in front of the chest with a slight bow, replaces the handshake. If someone greets you this way, return the gesture; do not initiate it with someone younger or with a shopkeeper or employee, who would be embarrassed. A smile and a "sawasdee" (hello) are enough. Keeping calm is the golden rule: raising your voice or losing your temper makes everyone "lose face", and rarely gets you what you want.

Head, feet and shoes

  • The head is the most respected part of the body: do not touch anyone's head, including a child's.
  • The feet are the lowest part: do not show the soles of your feet, do not point a foot at a person or a Buddha image, and do not use your foot to point at an object.
  • Shoes come off before entering a temple, a home, and many shops and massage parlours. A pile of shoes at the door is the signal.
  • Do not step on a banknote or coin that has fallen: they bear the king's image.

In temples

Temples are places of worship, not museums. Dress is strict at the Grand Palace: shoulders and knees covered, no tank top, no short or see-through top, no shorts or miniskirt, no ripped or tight trousers. At Wat Pho, long trousers or skirt and sleeves are required. If you forget, cover-ups can be rented or bought at the entrance for a small extra cost; better to come prepared. For prices, see our admission prices in Bangkok.

Inside: speak softly, silence your phone, do not point your feet at a statue, never climb on a Buddha for a photo and sit with your feet tucked to the side, never stretched towards the altar. When people are praying, do not walk in front of them; go around. Wat Bowonniwet and other royal temples are active centres of monastic life: the same rules apply there.

The mother-of-pearl feet of the Reclining Buddha

Monks

Buddhist monks, in saffron robes, follow strict rules. Remember three points:

  • Women do not touch a monk and do not hand him anything directly: put the object on a cloth or a table and he will pick it up himself.
  • On public transport, give up your seat to a monk; a woman avoids sitting next to him.
  • A monk does not beg: one who demands money or sells an object is suspect. See our guide to scams to avoid in Bangkok.

Offerings are made at the temple, in donation boxes or to the attendants. To see how Thais pray, the City Pillar Shrine is a good place to observe: incense, flowers, candles, gold leaf.

Buddha images

Every Buddha image is sacred, even small or damaged. Do not treat it as decoration: no tattoo or garment bearing its likeness in a disrespectful context, no statue left on the floor. For souvenirs, exporting a Buddha image or an antique without permission from the Fine Arts Department is prohibited; the small statuettes sold in shops are generally not subject to it, but check before buying anything larger than a few centimetres. A Buddha tattoo is not forbidden by law, but it is very frowned upon, especially on the lower body (feet, thighs): cover it in places of worship and in the evening.

The king and the monarchy

The king, the queen and the royal family are deeply respected. A law severely punishes any remark deemed insulting to them (lèse-majesté, article 112 of the penal code: 3 to 15 years in prison per offence). Do not joke about the monarchy, do not comment on social media, and do not tear or trample anything bearing the king's image. Details are in our guide to scams and safety.

In daily life: in a cinema, people stand for the royal anthem before the film. In public places, the national anthem is broadcast every day at 8am and 6pm: passers-by stop and stand still. At Lumphini Park, everyone stops at 6pm; do the same.

At the restaurant, the market, in the street

  • Dishes are shared: everyone serves themselves with the serving spoon onto their own plate of rice. The fork is used to push food onto the spoon, which goes to the mouth; chopsticks are reserved for noodles.
  • Bargaining is normal in markets and street shops, with a smile; not in shopping centres or restaurants. Tipping is not compulsory, but leaving the change is appreciated; see money, payment and tipping.
  • Public displays of affection are limited to holding hands; nudity and topless sunbathing, including at the beach or a hotel pool, are frowned upon.
  • At the Erawan Shrine, worshippers pray and make offerings: do not step into their frame and ask before photographing them.
  • Offerings of food and flowers left in front of small "spirit houses" are not to be touched.

Small gestures that make a difference

  • Say "khop khun khrap" (men) or "khop khun kha" (women) for thank you.
  • Put your phone on silent in temples and on transport.
  • Stay polite and smiling in a dispute: it is the approach that works.

Going further

For the rules set by law (alcohol, cannabis, e-cigarettes), see the rules to know in Bangkok. For safety, the laws to know and scams, see scams and safety in Bangkok. For the festivals where these rules matter more than ever, see the calendar of festivals in Bangkok.