Thai Culture
 

Greetings:
•    When being introduced or greeting someone, men say Sawatdee-krap (sawt-dee KRAHP) and women say Sawatdee-kah (sawt-dee KAHK).
•    Thais greet each other with a gesture known as the wai (why). Foreigners are not expected to initiate the gesture, but it is an insult not to return it. If a wai is not offered, shake hands with men and smile and nod to women. A Thai businessperson often will shake hands with a foreigner rather than offering a wai.
•    To execute the wai, place the palms of your hands together, with fingers together and extended upward, at chest level close to your body and bow slightly. The higher the hands are placed, the more respect is shown. Subordinates might raise their fingers as high as their noses; however, the tips of the fingers should never be above eye level.
•    A wai can mean “hello,” “thank you,” “I’m sorry” or “goodbye.” A wai is not used to greet children, servants, street vendors or laborers. Never return a wai to a child, waiter, clerk or other person of lower rank; simply nod and smile in response.
•    Monks do not return a wai.
•    Thais say “Where are you going?” rather than “hello.” A polite response is “Just down the street.”
•    Introductions are common only in formal situations. Introduce yourself by your first name.
•    The person of lower rank of status is always introduced first. Thus, a child is introduced before its parents and a secretary is introduced before her boss.
 
Meals:
•    Thai food is eaten with a fork and spoon rather than with chopsticks. The spoon is held in the right hand; the fork is held in the left hand and used to push food onto the spoon.
•    The restaurants of better hotels serve Western and continental as well as Thai cuisine.
•    Except in first-class hotels and restaurants, avoid eating fruits and vegetables that haven’t been cooked or peeled.
•    Food is transferred from serving dishes to your individual bowl, where it can be mixed with rice. Rice is eaten with almost every meal.
•    Most entertaining is done in restaurants. You may be seated with other diners in a crowded restaurant.
•    Thais appreciate visitors who like Thai food. Refusing food is impolite. If you don’t like a dish, discreetly avoid it, but don’t express displeasure.
•    To attract a waiter, extend your hand, palm down, and waggle your fingers. Never snap your fingers or raise your voice to attract a waiter. Address a waiter or waitress as nong (“brother” or “sister”).
•    If a waiter or waitress offers a wai, smile and nod, but don’t return the wai.
•    Thai banquets usually begin at 8 p.m. At a banquet, dinner is customarily served in a teak-paneled room with Thai dances performed before and during the meal. The guest of honor is seated at a table closest to the dancing. The host may not be seated near the guest of honor.
•    Rice will be served, then several dishes will be placed in the center of the table. Serve yourself; dishes are not passed. Don’t mix different kinds of food on your plate. Use the side of your spoon to cut your food.
•    Wait for the host to invite you to start before you begin eating. The host usually serves the guests a second helping and insists they eat more.
•    Thai buffets are very informal. You are expected to continue to help yourself.
•    Cover your mouth when using a toothpick.
•    Leave a small amount of food on your plate when you have finished eating, and place your fork and spoon side-by-side diagonally across the upper right quadrant of your plate.
•    The host pays the bill. Never offer to split the bill in a restaurant.
If you are invited into a Thai’s house:
•    It is an honor to be invited to a Thai home.
•    Step over the doorsill when entering a home.
•    Remove your shoes if your host isn’t wearing any. If the host sits on the floor, do the same; do not expose the soles of your feet or shoes.
•    A hostess may wait until everyone else has eaten to eat her own dinner.
•    Don’t eat all the food presented; servants get the leftovers.
•    When passing an object or giving a gift to someone, cup your left hand under your right forearm; hold the gift or object with your right hand only.
 
Food (typical):
•    Many Thai dishes use such herbs and spices as lemon grass, coriander and red peppers. They can be among the most piquant in the world, and a bit overwhelming to the Western plate; ask for “medium” spicing rather than “hot.” Thai food may be sweet, sour, hot, salty or spicy—but never bland.

Gestures:
•    Never point your feet at anyone or use your feet to move anything or touch anyone. Feet are regarded as unclean and, both literally and symbolically, as the lowest part of the body.
•    Don’t put your hands in your pockets while talking to someone, and never put your arm over the back of a chair in which someone is sitting.
•    A smile is often used to express many different emotions. It may be an apology, a thank-you, a greeting, or a reaction to embarrassment.
•    Don’t wave your hands as you talk, giving Thais the impression that you are angry.
•    Never pass anything with your left hand. Never point with your hand and never, never with one finger.
•    Don’t cross your legs in the presence of elderly people or monks.
•    To beckon someone, extend your arm and hand, palm down, and flutter your fingers up and down.

Cultural:
•    Never touch anyone’s head, and never pass something over a person’s head. The head is considered sacred and the seat of the soul.
•    Women should not touch or offer to shake hands with a Buddhist monk. Do not sit next to a monk on a bus, train or plane. No exceptions.
•    Show great respect for the royal family. Stand in respect when the Thai national anthem is played.
•    Take off your shoes before entering a home, wat (temple) or building that has a Buddha image in it.
•    Use only your right hand for passing, eating, touching and gesturing.
•    Do not be surprised if a Thai asks your age or your income. These are not considered rude questions in Thailand.
•    Never step over someone lying on the floor or sidewalk.
•    Never criticize the Buddhist religion or its practitioners.
 
Social:
•    Touching between people of the same sex is more common in Thailand than in many other Asian countries. However, touching someone of the opposite sex is taboo. Do not show affection in public.
•    A Thai’s smiling assurance does not mean you will get what you want, when you want it. It simply reflects the Thai desire for harmony and Thais’ “don’t worry, be happy” approach to life.
•    Show interest in a colleague’s family, but don’t compliment babies or children; some Thais believe praise attracts evil spirits.
•    Enjoy the Thai sense of humor. Laugh and be pleasant. Smile.
•    Be prepared to have people stare at you, especially if you have fair skin, blond hair and blue eyes. No offense is intended; it’s just friendly curiosity.
•    Do not speak in a loud voice or show your temper. Never criticize anyone publicly.
•    Never discuss personal problems.
•    No one in Thailand is in a hurry. Waiting is inevitable in a country where personal relationships are more highly valued than time. While punctuality (especially by foreigners) is appreciated, it is not uncommon for a Thai to be late. Don’t show disapproval.
•    Two times exist in Thailand: nat farang, or “foreigner time,” implying punctuality; and nat Thai, or “Thai time,” implying amore relaxed attitude toward appointments.
•    Always allow ample time for travel to appointments. Traffic is a major problem in Bangkok, and it can literally take hours to travel across the city at rush hour. Try to stay as close as possible to where you’ll be working.
Tipping
•    Never give anyone a one-baht tip; it’s considered very insulting.
•    Service people expect a tip unless the price has been negotiated in advance.
•    Hotels: a 10-15 percent service charge is normally added to the bill.
•    Restaurants: most add a 10-15 percent service charge to the bill. Leave loose change—either more than one baht or nothing at all. Leave a 10 percent tip when no service charge is included.
•    Taxis: 10 percent. Bargain for a set fare before entering a taxi.
•    Tuk-tuks: agree on a fare with the driver before climbing into one of these three-wheelers.
•    Porters: the charge per bag is fixed at the airport and railway station. Look for signs specifying the current charge.
•    Bellmen: 1-2 dollars (25-50 baht).
•    Hairdressers and barbers: 10 percent.
Shopping
•    Bargain everywhere except in major department stores. A merchant’s first price is often two or three times the fair price. Cajoling and other forms of friendly persuasion are expected.
•    Do not attempt to take out of the country images of Buddha, other religious articles or antiquities.
 

References for cultural study:
1) Kiss, Bow and Shake Hands, Compiled by Terri Morrison, Wayne A. Conaway and George A. Borden, Ph.D. Copyright 1994 by Adams Media Corporation
2) Put Your Best Foot Forward—Asia: a fearless guide to international communication and behavior / 2nd ed., Mary Murray Bosrock. Copyright 1997 by Mary Murray Bosrock