The Wai
Thais respect each other. This is demonstrated using the wai where respect is shown to superiors. Foreigners are not expected to use the wai and Thais will extend a hand. However to us the wai is appreciated and is done by pressing your palms gracefully together, fingers pointing upward and tilt your head forward. Don’t wai maids, children or others who might feel lower in the social order first, wait until they wai you and then wai in return.

Head and feet
The head is the most important part of the body in Thai custom due to where the spirit stays. This means that the head should never be touched and treat hats with respect. Humility is shown by placing a head below the other person which is why in some restaurants the staff will kneel or stoop when they take your order. The feet are the least important and should not be used to point at anything.

Communication
Thais are direct and will refer to a foreigner as a farang. Thais appreciate people who behave in a polite manner both in verbal and non verbal communication. This means smart dress is appreciated. Speak in a quiet voice and do not raise your voice.

Expressing anger is not on in Thailand and any outburst is sure to fail. Anger must be contained and a negotiated settlement reached. The words mai pen rai are used to defuse situations and means “never mind”. The Thai term “Jai yen” means keep cool and do not lose your temper.

To tell someone to come to you keep your right palm down and move your fingers, rather than point. Don’t whistle, clap or wave arms to signal a waiter use the palm signal. Use only the right hand for eating and for receiving and giving gifts. Do not walk over animals or other people, walk around.

Visiting
Most Thais will prefer to take you to a restaurant rather than their house. If you do enter a Thai house take off your shoes. It is normal to be taken to one room and not shown around the house. Gifts are appreciated such as flowers or chocolate and make sure they are well presented. It is not the custom to make a fuss when receiving a gift.

Addressing People
The word khun is the best way to address someone; it means Mr., Mrs. or Miss and is used in front of the name. You will then here your name as khun David. The polite term krab and ka is used often. If you say hello as a man the phrase sawat dee krab if you are a man and if a woman say sawat dee ka.

Thai Houses
The traditional Thai house arose from the need to be above the flooding and create a cool interior. A veranda with an overhanging roof provides protection from the sun, and windows and high ceilings all help in cooling. The correct method must be determined before construction by an astrologer and a ceremony held to appease the spirit occupying the land. The entrance should be to the south and the bedroom at the northern end. Unfortunately in Bangkok there are not many traditional Thai houses left although some wealthy Thais are constructing them and often by moving from rural areas as teak is now scarce.

Symbols
The orchid which is presented to all female passengers arriving on Thai is the national flower. The elephant symbolizes good luck. The lotus is the symbol of Buddhism and it is said that lotus flowers grew under the Buddha’s first steps and became the symbol of enlightment.

Religion
Buddhism is the main religion although there are is a small minority of other religions the largest being Muslims who tend to live in the south of the country. Buddhism is practiced on a daily basis as part of normal lifestyle. Shrines are found at every office and house which houses the spirit of the Buddha. Every day the Shrine will be attended to and flowers, food and joss sticks will be lit. Thais will pay respect to the shrines every day.

Buddha means “enlightened one” and he was an Indian Prince, Gautama Siddhartha who died in 483 BC and lived in the North of India. The Thai school of Buddhism is called Theravada Buddhism and is a variation on Buddhism found in China, Japan and Korea. The principle is enlightenment and achieved by individuals doing good deeds and avoiding evil. The more good you do the more merits earnt. One method to gain merits (tam boon) is for Thai men to spend part of their life as monk and wear the distinctive saffron robes. They must live according the strict rules of being a monk and have to find food by relying on the generosity of others. This means you will see monks walking around the streets every day carrying bowls for people to give them food.

Buddhist temples are everywhere and are places of respect. Temples are the centre of community life. Most temples consist of several buildings with the bot being the most important which houses the Buddha statue. Most temples will have a bo tree to represent the place the Lost Buddha found enlightment. Foreigners are very welcome to visit temples, just show respect. Do not wear shoes inside a temple and dress respectfully which means no sleeveless or revealing blouses.

Buddhism exists with earlier animist beliefs that everything has a spirit. When a house or other structure is built Thais build a small house for the spirits on the land and these are seen all over Bangkok and at the entrance to hotels. The spirit is looked after and candles and joss sticks lit for the spirit.

Islam is more dominant in the far South although a Muslim community lives in Bangkok. There are a few Thai Christians and some Christian educational institutions.