Top Thailand Travel Tips

When you are visiting a foreign country, you should, as a responsible traveler, take some time to learn about that country, its culture, and its customs. Even though many people love to gripe about foreigners, they often forget that when they go abroad, they become the foreigners for a change!

So – how much do you know about Thailand? Do you know anything about their royal family? The royals are an important part of day to day life in Thailand, and any visitors should show respect for the King, Queen, and Royal Children.

When visiting Thailand, it is travel tips like this one that can make you feel “in-the-know”—which is a great way to feel when you’re traveling in a foreign country! Knowing some basic Thailand travel tips will make your trip to Thailand go off without a glitch.

Visiting a Buddhist Shrine

Buddhism is one of the main religions of Thailand, and while visitors are welcome to enter a Buddhist shrine, they are expected to dress appropriately. You should not wear shorts, tank tops, or anything revealing such as a bathing suit when you go to a Buddhist shrine. You should also remove your shoes when you enter.

You should treat images and statues of Buddha as sacred – don't sit or climb on any statues, and don't take photographs of any representations of Buddha.

Buddhist monks have a lot of limitations on their lifestyle – one of the most interesting examples is that monks are not allowed to touch a woman, or to hold an item that a woman has just held. A woman should pass an item to a man, who will then give it to the monk. Be aware of this if you end up speaking to a monk, to avoid any embarrassing moments.

Greetings and Gestures

Even small things such as greeting people are different in Thailand. Thais typically great each other by pressing their palms together in an almost prayer-like fashion. They also consider it rude to point or gesture at things with your feet, so be aware of your mannerisms.

Generally, they are quite a conservative culture – open displays of affection between men and women are considered rude in public places. You will also not find people walking around the streets without a shirt.

The Wonder of Different Cultures

Travel gives you a new perspective on the world, and it can be very interesting to learn about different cultures and customs. If you have the chance to visit Thailand, don't stop at learning – try to conform to the culture yourself. You will find many people will appreciate that you have taken the time to learn, and your experience will be all the richer because of it.