Thailand holidays
Thailand vacations can be amazing, stunning, fun-filled, unique and very rewarding. To get the most out of your holiday, learn about the customs and traditions that are expected of visitors and tourists to Thailand. These tips can help you be respectful of a culture with which many westerners are not familiar. I hope that this list will give you some ideas on how to have the best Thailand vacation possible. This will help you show appreciation for the Thai people and the place they call home. These basic principles will also help you feel more at ease in a foreign culture.
Thailand Holidays Are Better Than Just a Party
Thailand holidays can lead to truly unique and rewarding cultural experiences. With relatively cheap prices, warm weather and friendly people, some places in Thailand have become overwhelmed with partygoers. Our recommendation is to have fun, party some, but consider what you will be missing if that is all you do. Also consider that this is the ancient home of your hosts.
Greeting people in Thailand with the Wai
One very important custom that is used in Thailand is the Wai. This is the accepted way of greeting others throughout the country.. It is performed by placing your palms together and letting your fingers point upward (in a prayer position). When you do this you also bend your head at the neck, to show respect to the people that you are meeting. Thai natives will appreciate your using the Wai while visiting with them because it is their traditional and accepted way of greeting another person. They will also be happy and flattered that you are showing honor by using the Wai while in their country. Every person in Thailand is familiar with this type of greeting, and will immediately respond in kind to this gentle and polite gesture.
Graeng Jai … Saying “No Thanks” Without Being Rude
Graeng Jai is a somewhat difficult concept to understand, as there is no good word or phrase in English. Once you think you have it translated, Graeng Jai comes up in different forms. Some attempts at translation are, “I don’t want to impose on others”, “over-polite”, “I don’t want to say what I am really thinking”, and “fear of disrespecting authority,” “high respect for authority, elders or parents.” Although this formal statement may be a little uncomfortable for westerners, it has a very important role in Thai culture. Throughout Thailand whenever you are invited to join someone for dinner at their baan (house), turning down the offer is a gesture of Graeng Jai. To do this signifies is that you are being considerate, and not rude. To refuse the gesture means that you are trying not to cause anyone any extra bother or inconvenience. This term is actually used quite commonly for any occasion where refusal of different invitations is seen as being respectful of others. It is an old Thai tradition and a means of saving face. An offer to share money or a meal, when there is actually very little to go around, may be made out of politeness. When the person refuses there is no embarrassment to anyone on either side. If the person really wants to share something with you and it is not an imposition, the request will be emphatically repeated, at which time you can accept with a clear conscience and good manners.
Inappropriate Dress In Thailand
Improper attire is one thing that Thai people frown upon. However, because of their graciousness and Graeng Jai, they may not say anything to you. Learning about what is considered respectful (and disrespectful) attire before arriving in the country will be very well received by the Thai people. Some of the younger citizens are not as strict about dress codes, but the older people are. A general rule is to not bare shoulders or go shirtless in Thailand’s public places. There are some places, such as beaches, where these rules do not apply as strictly, but in general it is best to err on the side of caution. Just remember to follow the “not too” reminders when it comes to your dress choices. Not too small, not too tight, not too skimpy and not too revealing.
Buddhism – Spirituality in Thailand
Buddhism is a very important part of Thailand life and culture and you should also respect their religious and spiritual beliefs while you visit. This belief and faith is shown in many ways. In Thai families when a son reaches the age of around 20 he will actually spend a short time as a monk. Many people believe that having a son who spends some time as a monk will guarantee that his parents will go to a heavenly place when they pass away. Becoming a monk for any amount of time is one of the ways that these young men are able to demonstrate their faith in their spiritual beliefs. The temples are very holy structures to Buddhist believers. Always show respect to any statue depicting Buddha, which means no climbing on them, no sitting beside them for a photo-op, and never put a Buddha figure on the floor.
Buddhist Temples
In a temple setting rules and tradition are very strict. Your clothing must be acceptable in order to enter the temple. It is best to dress modestly. There are usually sarongs available at all temples that can be worn by both men and women if your clothing is not accepted or is questionable. Shoes come off before ever entering a temple. Sometimes you may see a man at temple wearing a tank tee and shorts, but this is taboo for a woman at the temple. Whether kneeling or sitting in a temple you must not let the soles of your feet face toward the altar. Women are not to touch or hand any objects to a monk at any time. If you need to return something to a monk you should place it on a nearby table where he can then retrieve it. Some monks have a more liberal viewpoint on this and have no problem with touching a woman’s wrist to tie a string around it or a gentle touch on the shoulder. But always follow the monk’s lead.
Be respectful of The King and the Royal Family
In addition to respecting the Buddhist customs, travelers should understand the respect Thai’s have for King Phumipon Adunyadet and the Thai Royal family. Remember to not make any disparaging or sarcastic comments about the king and his family. Not only would Thai’s be deeply offended and outraged, it is illegal and carries consequences. While the notion of criticizing leaders in many countries is nothing novel, this is not the case for Thais in regard to the Royal Family. For the most part, this law is well-accepted and welcomed by Thais themselves, which suggests the enormous respect they have for their King. Their King and Queen have helped the country prosper and have been instrumental in converting opium production to organic farming, they have gracefully brought Thailand into the modern age while maintaining much of the old tradition, and are generally considered benevolent.
Some Basics to Remember
As in many Asian countries it is tradition to remove your shoes before entering someone’s home. You may even be asked to do this in public restaurants, shops and stores. It’s fun to do and you may want to continue this at your own home. Thais consider it rude to point with your hands or fingers. If you are sitting or kneeling across from others do not let the soles of your feet face them, as this is also considered rude and insulting. Never point at anything or any person with your foot when you are in Thailand. As the feet are thought of as the lowest part of the body it is considered very rude. To use them to indicate something is insulting to them. Refrain from touching someone else’s head, even if it is only to remove a leaf or smooth their hair. Thais consider the head to be the highest and most respected part of the body. It is considered to be very rude for someone else to touch their head. Public displays of any affection are also extremely rude. It is best to not hug or kisses others in public.
Be Observant!
There are so many new sights, sounds and smells in Thailand. When arriving, you will probably be on sensory overload. As you adjust to this new setting, watch how Thais behave with and around one another. As crazy as it sounds, try to fit in instead of stand out. Observe your body language, your voice volume levels, your group size, your presence. Then compare it with others around you – Thai and foreigners in your group. See if you can start to melt into the madness. Don’t think of it as constricting – think of it as a gentle learning with Thailand as your teacher.
Check Out This Awesome Canopy Tour Near Chiang Mai! I had a great experience there and they gave me some advice on what to include in this article.
Flight of the Gibbon Adventure Tours
Offers a zip line adventure tour through pristine rainforest in Thailand. 18 platforms, sky-bridges and lowering stations connect 2km of zip lines that take you through different layers of the rainforest canopy. Thailand Holiday
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