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Thai Tipping Protocol, Thai Gratuities, & Thai Culture
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Do's and Don'ts in Thailand | |
Clothing
- DO dress stylishly and modestly. Keep your attire neat and clean!
- DO wear nice pants and a nice shirt with or without a tie, if you are a man attending a business function. For women, wear a nice dress or a skirt and blouse for business functions. Don't wear tank-tops, unless in a tourist beach area.
- DON'T wear shorts, short skirts, or tank-tops if you are a woman entering a temple.
Food/Drinks
- DO use a fork and spoon when eating. Chopsticks are no longer traditionally used in Thailand. Hold the spoon in your right hand and push the food into your spoon with the fork.
- DO leave a little bit of food on your plate when you're done eating to indicate that you are full.
- DO put your spoon and fork at the 5:25 position when you are done eating.
- DON'T use your left hand while eating.
- DON'T snap your fingers or yell to get a waiter's attention when dining out.
Gifts
- DO give and receive gifts with your right hand, not your left.
- DON'T open a gift until later.
- DO give gifts such as liquor, books, or sweets.
- DO thank the gift giver with a wai.
Visting Someone's Home
- DO bring a gift for your host. A nice host gift would be brandy, flowers, cakes, fruit, etc.
- DO take your shoes off upon entering a home.
Business
- DO expect men to primarily conduct business, although women are beginning to get more involved in Thailand's business world.
- DON'T rush negotiations. Business decision-making can be slow in Thailand.
- DO be subtle. Directness doesn't always go over well.
- DO expect to be addressed by your title and first name.
- DO introduce colleagues of a lower professional status before introducing yourself in a formal business introduction.
Temples
- DO dress conservatively. Women should wear long skirts or pants and covered shoulders. Don't wear sandals.
- DON'T take photos at a temple.
- DO remove shoes upon entering.
- DON'T sit with your feet pointing towards a Buddha. Sit cross-legged or with your feet tucked under you.
- DON'T touch a monk, give him anything, sit next to him, or sit above him.
- DON'T touch a Buddha image. They are sacred. Don't climb on top of it, move it, or even sit next to it to pose for a picture. It's disrespectful.
Other
- DO understand the meaning of the "wai." Wai is when a person puts their hands together close to their body at chest level and gives a slight bow. The higher the hands, the more respectful the wai. It can mean "Hello", "I'm sorry", or "Good-bye."
- DON'T point with one finger. It's considered impolite.
- DON'T show affection in public or even touch someone of the opposite sex.
- DON'T pass something over someone's head. The head is considered sacred in Thailand.
- DON'T point with your feet or use your feet to touch something. Feet are considered dirty, because they are the lowest part of the body.
- DON'T talk with your hands or put your hands in your pockets while talking to someone.
- DON'T step on a threshold when going through a doorway. Step over it instead. Thais believe that a spirit lives in the threshold.
- DO greet with a wai if you feel comfortable. However, as a foreigner, you aren't expect to initiate with a wai, but you must always return a wai to be polite.
- DON'T greet children, waiters, vendors, etc. with a wai. If they greet you with a wai, simply smile and nod back at them.
- DO shake hands if not offered a wai.
- DON'T step on money (e.g., if you drop a coin and it is rolling away) as you are stepping on the King's image.
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In Thailand, tipping is generally done as restaurants, leaving either your change from the bill or up to 10% at a finer establishment. Taxis may be tipped by rounding up to the next bill.
Our Thai Tipping Recommendations |
- Taxis and Limos: Tipping optional, Round up to next bill/large coin
- Airport Shuttles: Not required
- Hotel Shuttles and Carpark Shuttles: Not required

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