Do's and Don'ts This is simple guide to Thai behavior is to make a few culture shocks less unsettling, more enjoyable, and therefore more likely to lead to understanding rather than misunderstanding.

DO'S

• Do avoid things, people and situations you don't like rather than moan about them or try to change them.
• Do keep Buddha images in a high place and treat them with great respect. It is against the law to take or send them out of the country except under very special circumstances.
• Do beckon waiters and servants with the hand, palm downwards, fingers straight and waving rapidly. Don't clap, snap fingers or hiss.
• Do make payment only after eating and drinking, not before. The inviter pays; if no clear invitation was made, the superior pays.  'Going Dutch' is rare.
• Do practice discretion as it is admired as maturity.
• Do dress your status and dress appropriately at parties.  Women do not wear shorts or revealing clothing.
• Do eat after the monks during ceremonies.
• Do eat with a spoon and use a fork to load it.
• Do reply with `eaten already' when greeted with the casual invitation to eat.
• Do keep your feet to yourself and not on your desk.
• Do flatter whenever possible.  Thais love it.
• Do be generous. It is a sign of an important person.
• Do open gifts in private.
• Do address social inferiors first when making introductions.
• Do use a person's first name, not the family name.  Adults shouldbe addressed as Khun unless a title is used.
• Do use an invitation card if attendance and punctuality are important, as invitations are less specific in Thailand.
• Do have a meal prepared should you specifically invite someone to your house. They expect to eat there.
• Do lower the body a little when passing in front of, or betweenpeople.
• Do treat monks with utmost respect at all times.  Touching of a monk or his robes by a woman is strictly taboo.
• Do pass objects with the right hand and touch the left hand to the right forearm if extra respect is required.  Women never pass directly to monks.
• Do treat royalty with the greatest respect.  Do stand up when images of the King or Royal Family appear on the cinema screen.
• Do remove your shoes at the door of the main temple building and at all homes.
• Do sit in the place you are directed to.  Superiors in front, inferiors at the back.
• Do speak gently and do not raise your voice.
• Do smile and people will like you.  A smile can be used to excuse small inconveniences, to thank for small services and to return the wai of children and servants.
• Do keep your temper.
• Do wai monks, old people and your social superiors.
• Do walk slightly behind monks and old people.
• When entering a Thai home, or temple, it is customary to remove your shoes. This is not simply a religious custom but has practical implications.  Also, do not point your feet at anyone or use them to indicate something.
• Export of Buddha images (except small, personal ones), antiques or works of art is forbidden without permission.

• Don't point your feet at anybody. Don't step over anybody or anybody's foot.
• Don't point your fingers at anybody, though it is acceptable for objects and animals.
• Don't touch hair and heads. If you do so by accident, excuse yourself.
• Don't cross your legs whether sitting on floor or chair in the presence of monks.
• Don't wear black unless at a funeral.
• Don't throw rice away in front of Thais.  Rice is the lifeblood of Thailand .
• Don't throw objects.  Throwing any object is bad manners.
• Don't wai servants, labourers and children.  The lower the head, the more respect is shown. The inferior initiates the wai.
• Whatever the wai received, reply with a lesser one.
• Don't be surprised if your laundry is done by a man and he
• It is advisable not to drink tap water and bottled water is cheaply and readily available.
• If traveling in a taxi or tuk tuk it is usual to settle the fare before you begin your journey.
• Do not accept offers of free trips or drinks form strangers.
• Do not get yourself involved with drugs.  Penalties for drug offences are very severe in Thailand.
• Do not support any manner of wild animal abuse.  Never purchase any products or souvenirs made from wild animals including reptiles like snakes, monitor lizards, and also turtle shell and ivory.  Avoid patronizing local restaurants that serve wild animal delicacies.  It is against the law to slaughter wildlife for food in Thailand.