There are a number of Thai customs relating to the special status of monks in Thai society. Due to religious discipline, Thai monks are forbidden physical contact with women. Women are therefore expected to make way for passing monks to ensure that accidental contact does not occur. A variety of methods are employed to ensure that no incidental contact (or the appearance of such contact) between women and monks occurs. Women making offerings to monks place their donation at the feet of the monk, or on a cloth laid on the ground or a table. Powders or unguents intended to carry a blessing are applied to Thai women by monks using the end of a candle or stick. Lay people are expected to sit or stand with their heads at a lower level than that of a monk. Within a temple, monks may sit on a raised platform during ceremonies to make this easier to achieve.
Chiang Mai is also the capital of Lanna in Thailand. Every part has its own style of custom to show how is different in each place. And I think it’s very interesting to learn about the customs in wherever I visit. It’s like you get more knowledge about that place and the trips are more fun. In this topic, firstly I would like to tell you northern custom that you’d see only in here. And second is “Wai”, that it’s the most important and main custom in Thailand. Even one time you come here, it’s very useful to know about it.
“Wai” means lifting two hands together up to the chest and bow the head. Thais’ always do for greeting to other people and also apologize and thank. Anyways, it can be shown for among rich and poor, young and elder, monk, teacher and even power spirit such as death people and holy. Although nowadays Thai people continuously forget about this custom, it’s still the one way to show Thai people. And people wai to each other in every part of Thailand.
The Wai is one of the most famous of symbols that people recognize as being “Thailand”. To do it right is almost an art form and something that many Thais take great care to express properly and sincerely. Normally, we always wai to people who are older than us, monk and teacher. Although nowadays Thai people continuously forget about this custom, it’s still the one way to show Thai people. And people wai to each other in every part of Thailand.
Respect to the elder people
Respect is really very important for Thai custom. There are many ways to respect to the elder people and teacher. Most of them are generally acknowledged by sense and societies. Things we always notice, are “Don’t shout”, “Don’t touch their heads” (like playing), and “elder first”.
Smile or giggling to accidents
As you know Thailand is a “Siam of Smile”, people like to smile in every almost situation. I can tell you one thing for unconfused you is “smile means feeling of shy”. Sometimes they do when they lose the face or do not dare to speak something. Finally, sometimes it’s good way to do in order to forget your mistakes.
Taking off the shoes
Many people like cleanness especially if they own the place and it has to be welcome to anybody. Thai people believe the feet are one low part of body and it’s not supposed to be too higher than the ground. Taking off the shoes before getting to the temple or some place and even in the house is very good manner for Thai.
Dress
People get dress depending on the place, season, and situation in order to be not feeling strange to other people. The exactly custom of Thai’s is to reserve the manner especially Thai women. For example, we don’t accept people who go to temple by dressing the mini skirt with the spaghetti tab. Present the respect is one important way when you decide to wear something. It’s probably safe for you either.
Let’s go to the temple The temple or “Wat” is the most important place for Buddhism. As you know the 85% of Thai is Buddhist, so people always think that “Wat” is the quiet place for them to stay. Also they go to offer the food and appliances for the monks. Making a meditation is good thing to do together with prayer. Although you are not Buddhism, you might visit to the temples in Chiang Mai because many temples in here are presenting the ancient remains and history of the city.
DOS & DON’TS
Dos
understand that Thais have a tender fondness for uniforms, they just love getting dressed up.
- Do get used to Thais arriving for their appointments half an hour late, most of the country’s watches are ‘defunct’.
- Do, as a paying customer, understand that sales-girls prefer doing their make-up to serving you, beauty is of the up most importance here.
- Do understand that Thais have an infatuation for plastic bags, the sales-girls will even give you one for putting your chewing gum in.
- Do get used to Thais ‘jumping the queue’, they can wait 3 years for the first kiss from their boyfriends, but having to wait just 30 seconds in a queue at 7-11 is just unbearable.
- Do get used to using straws, after you have seen the state of most of bottle tops you will understand why.
Don’ts.
- Don’t, as a Farang girl, wear hotpants to the temple, you don’t need the monks breaking out in a sweat.
- Don’t even begin thinking of discussing literary classics with the locals, the whole country is only besotted by cartoon books.
- Don’t go smooching your loved one in the middle of the street, Thais prefer performing such personal ‘activity’ in the privacy of ones room.
- Don’t go patting you friend on the head, Thais are a little sensitive about such things.
- Don’t feel insulted at having to hear the likes of “Hey you” and “Where you go man” from the nation’s tuk-tuk and taxi drivers, do understand they’ve never learnt English at school.
Social Customs
The don't of Thai social behavior are less clearly defined than those concerning the monarchy or religion, especially in a city like Bangkok where Western customs are better known and more widely accepted. However, what is acceptable in Bangkok may not be in the countryside where the old ways are still strong. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Thais DO NOT normally shake hands when they greet one another, but instead press the palms together in a prayer-like gesture called a wai. Generally, a younger person wais an elder, who returns it. Watch how the Thais do it, and you will soon learn.
It is considered rude to point your foot at a person, so try to avoid doing so when sitting opposite anyone, and following the conception that the foot is a low limb: DO NOT point your foot to show anything to anyone, but use your finger instead.
Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body both literally and figuratively. As a result, they DO NOT approve of touching anyone on that part of body; even in a friendly gesture. Similarly, if you watch Thais at a social gathering, you will notice that young people go to considerable lengths to keep their heads lower than those of the elder ones, to avoid giving the impression of looking down" on them. This is not always possible, of course, but it is the effort that counts.
Public displays of affection between men and women are frowed upon. You may see some very Westernised young Thai couples holding hands, but that is the extent of the displaying of affection in this polite society.
Losing your temper, especially in public, will more than likely get you nowhere. The Thais think such displays denote poor manners, and you are more apt to get what you want by keeping a cool head and concealing your emotions.
DO NOT be surprised if you are addressed by your first name; for instance, Mr. Bob or Miss Mary instead of by your surname. This is because Thais refer to one another in this manner, usually with the title "Khun" "(Mr., Mrs., or Miss) in front. Follow the customs of the country as far as possible and you will make more friends during your stay. And the more friends you make, the more you will want to return to Thailand.
Things to Do & See
