Rules of Behavior in Thailand

Being in another country often raises the question: “How should I behave to avoid offending anyone, be on the same wavelength as locals, and not break the law?” Religion, social norms – there are nuances everywhere. Let’s sort everything out in order so that Thais don’t consider you an ignorant “farang” (foreigner).

Religious Norms

Buddhism is the main religion in Thailand. Local residents are characteristically calm and polite toward each other and foreigners. They expect respectful treatment in return. As with any religion, there are several things worth knowing about Buddhism:

• Don’t touch a Thai person’s head. According to local beliefs, the spirit of Khwan resides in the head, and it shouldn’t be disturbed.
• Don’t use your foot to point at anything. The head is considered the most sacred part of the body, while the foot is considered the dirtiest.
• Don’t open doors with your foot, don’t point at objects or people with it, and in temples keep your feet pointing away from monks and Buddha statues.
• Remove your shoes before entering a temple and enter with your shoulders and knees covered.
• Don’t hug or kiss Thais, even if you really want to. This is not customary for them. Women should not touch monks, even accidentally.

How to Behave in Public Places

Knowledge of the rules in public places in Thailand will also help you save face:

• Don’t shout – loud speech is compared to a barking dog. Speak calmly so that people take you seriously.
• Don’t gesture near your face. Thais don’t like excessive expression and consider it uncivilized.
• Don’t sunbathe topless. Dress decently.
• Don’t show off your figure in a swimsuit in public places; bikinis are appropriate only at the beach.
• Don’t hug or kiss in public places; Thais don’t appreciate public displays of affection.

How Not to Break the Law

On vacation, you feel relaxed and don’t always remember what you shouldn’t do. Thailand can hardly be called a country of prohibitions, but there are punishments for some common behaviors. We recommend paying careful attention to certain habits, as the country is strict about them, so we’ll start with those.

Smoking

Read carefully to avoid getting caught. Smokers are not well-liked in Thailand and face restrictions. Smoking in public places is prohibited and can result in substantial fines. You can only smoke in specially designated areas.

You can forget about electronic cigarettes altogether, as they’re treated extremely strictly. Smoking any electronic cigarette is punishable by fines, deportation, and sometimes imprisonment. Although you’ve likely seen tourists and locals using vapes, it’s all at your own risk.

A topic that concerns some tourists is legalization. You can buy cannabis in special places – coffee shops. We don’t recommend purchasing anything from questionable sellers. Smoking cannabis, like cigarettes, is not allowed in public places; this should be done in special lounge bars and cafes. Or at your own home.

Alcohol

In Thailand, there is no strict ban on drinking alcoholic beverages, but you definitely shouldn’t do it at gas stations, near temples and educational institutions, in hospitals, and public recreation parks. Keep in mind that in Phuket, alcohol is not sold around the clock: the ban is in effect from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM and from midnight to 11:00 AM.

Lighting Fires

It is forbidden to light fires or use grills on Phuket beaches. Don’t risk it and instead order fire-cooked dishes at cafes or restaurants.

Gambling

Gambling in the form of casinos, poker, betting, and bookmaking is legally prohibited in Thailand. If you see such an establishment in Phuket and want to visit, know that the police may raid it.

Drones and Quadcopters

To fly a drone and capture a beautiful sunset, you need to register it in advance and obtain permission to film. Registration is conducted by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand (NBTC) at their offices. Then you need to get clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).

Attitude Toward the Royal Family

Thais have special reverence for their rulers, so they expect respectful attitudes from tourists as well. Be careful with any items displaying the king’s portrait and never damage them in any way. This also applies to banknotes, so you should never tear, crumple, or drop money.

Shells, Corals, and Sand

Thais protect the country’s natural resources. It is forbidden to collect shells, corals, and sand on the beach. Unfortunately, all beautiful corals and stones must be left where you found them.

These are the basic rules to pay attention to while staying in Phuket. Respect the culture of the country, don’t break laws and regulations, and then your visit to the island will leave you with only pleasant memories!