Thai Tipping Protocol, Thai Gratuities, & Thai Culture

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.