The King, the Queen and the Royal family are highly respected by Thai people. Visitors should show respect to them. For example By, stand still when national anthem is played . Or not criticizing members of the royal family
Buddhism
- Buddhist monks are forbidden to touch or be touched by a woman, or to accept anything from the hand of one. If a woman has to give anything to a monk, she first hands it to a man, or put it on a plate provided.
- Wats or temples are open to all visitors. Only the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho, Wat Benchama Bophit, and Wat Arun charge admission fees (to cover restoration costs).
- Each Buddha image, regardless of its size or condition represents the Buddha. Thus, visitors should never climb onto one to take a photograph or do anything, which might indicate a lack of respect.
- Visitors should dress neatly in all religious shrines. They should never go topless, or in shorts, hot pants or other unsuitable attire. In the Temple of the Emerald Buddha women are also forbidden to wear sleeveless shirt.
- It is acceptable to wear shoes when walking around the compound of a Buddhist temple, but not inside the chapel where the principal Buddha image is kept.
- Visitors to a Thai wat (temple) do not step on the doorsill, as tradition holds that a soul resides there.
- Visitors may photograph monks, wats, images, and Buddhist ceremonies, unless it is noted.
Thai tradition
- "Wai" is a prayer-like gesture with palms pressed together and it is how Thai people greet. Generally a younger person wais an elder, who returns it.
- Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body, literally and figuratively. Therefore, touching people on their head is considered rude. In contrast, feet are considered the most degraded part of the body. Thus, using feet to point something to someone is regarded very rude for Thai people.
- Thai people do not display affection between men and women in public. It is accepted in Bangkok where most people are westernized. But in rural area where traditional standards of social behavior are still strictly upheld, it is unsuitable to openly express the affection.
Traveling in Bangkok
- Visitors are advised to use the hotel taxi service at their hotel if they do not know their way around or cannot speak the local language.
- Only use registered travel agents service.
- Going to Floating market should be done early in the morning, for example, Talingchan Floating Market opens from 7 o'clock in the morning (on Saturdays and Sundays).
- Check for open and closing time of your destination before you go. Some place close early, some place are closed in a particuly day.
- Do not litter. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is now strictly enforcing the law in an effort to keep the city clean and healthy. The fine (maximum 2,000 baht) will be imposed on a person who spits, discards cigarette stubs, or drops rubbish in public areas.
- Take sun block and a hat or cap when walking in the sun in the afternoon.
Interesting Tips
- The Thai Baht (THB) is the standard unit of currency in Thailand (1Baht = 100 satangs). Banknotes are issued in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 Baht while coins of 25 and 50 satangs, 1, 5, and 10 Baht face value are circulation. Money exchange can be done at Bangkok International Airport and other ports of entry, some hotels, foreign exchange booths operated by Thai commercial banks in tourist areas, and main branches of Thai commercial banks.
- Visitors needing assistance relating to safety, unethical practices, or other matters, please call the Tourist Assistance Centre immediately (Tel: 281 -5051, 282-8129) or contact the Tourist Police (Tel: 678-6800- 9 or 1699).
- Beware of unauthorized people who offer their services as guides.
Tourism information service centers are: The Bangkok Tourism Division on Phra Athit road under the PinKlao Bridge, Phone.0-2225-7612 , and there are information booths throughout Thailand. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)'s counters for all tourist information. The TAT's counters are located in the Arrival Hall of the Bangkok International Airport; at Terminal 1 Tel: 0-2523-8972-3, or at Terminal 2 Tel: 0-2535-2669 from 08.00 to 24.00 hrs; at the main office on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue Tel: 0-2281 -0422 during working hours of 08.30 to 16.30 hrs.
- Penalties for drug offences are very severe in Thailand; do not get yourself involved with drugs.
- Foreign nationals visiting Thailand must possess valid passports or accepted travel documents and appropriate visas before entering the country. Visitors from certain countries are permitted to stay up to 15 days without visas, provided they possess tickets confirming departure within 15 days, while visitors from several other countries are allowed to apply for tourists visas at all ports of entry. Transit visas are granted for up to 30 days and tourist visas for up 60 days. Non-immigrant, diplomatic and official visas are valid for up to 90 days.
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