Discover useful travel advice, cultural insights, and local etiquette to help you make the most of your visit to Thailand.
Do's and Don'ts
Do
• Wear appropriate clothing when visiting temples.
• Follow local customs and traditions.
• Remove your shoes when entering temples and certain homes.
• Wear a mask on public transport if required or when feeling unwell.
Don't
• Touch another person's head, as it is considered the most sacred part of the body.
• Point your feet at people, religious objects, or images of Buddha.
• Display the soles of your feet in inappropriate settings.
• Raise your voice or display aggressive behavior in public.
Temple & Royal Palace Dress Code
Do
• Ensure your knees and shoulders are covered.
• Wear respectful and modest clothing.
• Choose lightweight clothing suitable for Thailand's tropical climate.
Don't
• Wear sleeveless tops.
• Wear skin-tight or see-through clothing.
• Wear torn clothing or jeans with holes.
• Wear clothing featuring inappropriate religious imagery.
• Display visible Buddhist or Hindu tattoos when visiting sacred sites, where possible.
• Wear clothing with offensive or death-related themes.
Useful Thai Phrases
To sound polite, men should add "krub" and women should add "kha" at the end of a sentence.
• Hello – Sawasdee krub / kha
• Thank you – Khob khun krub / kha
• Yes – Chai
• No – Mai
• Excuse me / Sorry – Khor thot krub / kha
• How much? – Tao rai?
• Delicious – Aroy mak
• Goodbye – Lah gorn krub / kha