Thai people are warm and patient with visitors, and most small mistakes are easily forgiven. A few customs matter much more than others: respect for the monarchy, behaviour in temples and around monks, the Thai ideas about the head and the feet, and staying calm in public.
Most of these points are custom, not law. The important exception is the monarchy, where Thai law applies to visitors too.
What is different in late 2026: royal mourning
Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, died on 24 October 2025 at the age of 93.
- Official mourning: civil servants wear black from 25 October 2025 to 24 October 2026.
- Entertainment: no ban was issued, but event organisers were asked to reduce festive elements, so some events may be quieter than usual.
- The royal cremation: the ceremonies take place in Bangkok from 15 to 19 December 2026. On 16 December the funeral procession leaves at 07:00, and the cremation is at 16:30 at the royal crematorium at Sanam Luang, next to the Grand Palace. On 17 December the relics are taken to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew).
The ceremonies will be shown in full on Thai TV. Published reports do not say whether the Grand Palace or nearby roads will close to visitors that week. Large crowds and road closures around Sanam Luang are likely, so plan sightseeing in Bangkok's old city (Rattanakosin) for other days. Near the Grand Palace, and during the cremation week, dark and sober clothes are the respectful choice.
Saving face and keeping a cool heart
"Face" is a person's dignity in front of others. Criticising someone in front of other people makes them lose face, and it is very hurtful in Thailand. Showing anger in public makes you lose face yourself.
- Jai yen (a cool heart): stay calm, especially when things go wrong.
- Kreng jai: consideration for other people's feelings. A Thai person may say "yes" to avoid disappointing you, so ask open questions when you need a clear answer.
- Mai pen rai (never mind): the usual way to say that a small problem does not matter.
| Situation | Do | Do not |
|---|---|---|
| A disagreement | Stay calm and smile | Argue loudly |
| A problem with service | Speak to the person quietly | Complain in front of others |
| Someone makes a mistake | Accept it calmly, or explain quietly | Demand an apology in public |
Respecting the monarchy
The Thai royal family is deeply respected, and this is where a cultural mistake can become a legal problem. Section 112 of the Criminal Code (lese-majeste) sets 3 to 15 years in prison for each count of defaming, insulting or threatening the King, the Queen, the heir apparent or the Regent. Anyone can file a complaint, the police must investigate every one, and the law has been used against foreigners.
- Do not joke about or criticise the royal family, in person or online.
- Treat pictures of the King and the royal family with respect. Never point your feet at them.
The two anthems
- The national anthem (Phleng Chat) is played in public places, such as parks and stations, at 08:00 and 18:00 every day. People stop and stand still while it plays. There is no longer a fine for not standing, but most people still stand, and visitors should too.
- The royal anthem (Sansoen Phra Barami) is a different song, played before every film in cinemas and before plays, concerts and most live shows. The audience stands.
Temples and monks
Thailand has about 40,000 temples. They are active places of worship, not only tourist sights.
What to wear and how to behave
- Cover your shoulders and knees: long trousers or a skirt below the knee, and a shirt with sleeves. Sarongs can often be borrowed or rented at the big temples.
- Take off your shoes and hat before entering temple buildings.
- Speak quietly and switch your phone to silent.
- When you sit, tuck your feet behind you or to the side, never pointing at a Buddha image or a monk.
- Do not climb on statues or touch Buddha images, and follow any sign that forbids photos.
The big Bangkok temples charge foreigners an entrance fee. When we checked in September 2026, the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew cost about 500 THB (ticket sales stop at 15:30), Wat Pho about 300 THB and Wat Arun about 200 THB. Confirm on site, and carry cash in small notes.
Monks
- Women should not touch a monk or hand anything directly to one. Place the item within the monk's reach, or ask a man to pass it on.
- Do not sit higher than a monk, and never point your feet at one.
- At the morning alms round, stay quiet, keep a respectful distance and ask before taking photos.
The head, the feet and the wai
The head is the most respected part of the body, and the feet are the lowest.
| Action | Respectful | Disrespectful |
|---|---|---|
| Touching the head | Do not touch anyone's head | Patting someone on the head |
| Pointing | Use your whole hand | Pointing with a foot or one finger |
| Passing someone sitting on the floor | Walk around them | Stepping over their legs |
Do not put your feet up on tables or chairs, and take your shoes off when you enter a Thai home.
The wai is the Thai greeting: palms pressed together, with a slight bow. Keep it simple. Return a wai with a slight bow, and raise your hands higher for monks and older people. A wai from shop or hotel staff is answered with a smile and a nod.
Everyday social etiquette
Thai society pays close attention to age and position: older people are served first and spoken to politely. Smile, be patient, queue, dress modestly away from the beach, and keep physical affection in public to a minimum.
At the table, dishes are shared, and most are eaten with a spoon in the right hand and a fork in the left. The host or the oldest person often pays; offer to pay, but do not argue if they insist.
Alcohol may not be sold on the five main Buddhist holidays (Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asanha Bucha, Khao Phansa and Ok Phansa), except in duty-free shops at international airports. The next one is Ok Phansa, the end of Buddhist Lent, on 26 October 2026.
Respect on the road: taxis and drivers
Stay calm in traffic and raise any problem with your driver quietly. Many disputes start with an unclear price, so agree on it before the trip.
With Smile Taxi Service the fare is fixed before you travel: per vehicle, not per person, one way, expressway tolls included. From Suvarnabhumi Airport to a Bangkok address it is 600 THB by sedan, 800 THB by SUV and 1,100 THB by van. Pickups or drop-offs west of the Chao Phraya River (the Thonburi side) cost 100–200 THB extra. Book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok or see all routes and fixed fares.
- Payment: pay the driver in cash (THB) at the end of the trip. If you can only pay by card, message the team for a PayPal payment link (a 5% fee is added).
- Language: not every driver speaks English. You can request an English-speaking driver when you book, subject to availability.
- Cancellation: free up to 24 hours before pickup. After that, a cancellation or change costs 25% (less than 24 h), 35% (less than 12 h) or 50% (less than 2 h) of the price, and a no-show 100%, also when you pay the driver in cash (details).
To visit several temples in one day, a full-day Bangkok tour with a private driver (up to 10 hours) costs 2,700 THB by sedan, 3,000 THB by SUV, 3,700 THB by van and 4,000 THB by VIP van. See tours and day trips.
Common cultural mistakes to avoid
- Criticising or joking about the royal family.
- Touching someone's head.
- Pointing your feet at people, monks or Buddha images.
- Dressing or behaving disrespectfully in a temple.
- Losing your temper in public.
- A woman touching a monk.
- Not standing when an anthem plays.
Useful Thai phrases
Men end polite sentences with "khrap" and women with "kha". Thai has five tones, but Thais understand learners from context and appreciate the effort.
| English | Thai | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | สวัสดีครับ / ค่ะ | sa-wat-dee khrap / kha |
| Thank you | ขอบคุณครับ / ค่ะ | khop khun khrap / kha |
| Excuse me, sorry | ขอโทษครับ / ค่ะ | kho thot khrap / kha |
| Never mind | ไม่เป็นไร | mai pen rai |
Before you travel, download Thai in the Google Translate app on Wi-Fi, so it works without mobile data.
If something goes wrong
Save 1155 (Tourist Police, English-speaking staff) and 1669 (medical emergencies) in your phone before you arrive. The police number is 191. In a dispute with a shop, hotel or driver, stay polite and call 1155 for help in English rather than arguing in public.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stand when the anthem plays? Yes. Stand for the royal anthem before films and shows, and stop and stand still for the national anthem at 08:00 and 18:00 in public places.
Is it illegal to criticise the Thai king? Yes. Section 112 carries 3 to 15 years in prison for each count, and it has been used against foreigners.
Is Thailand still in mourning? Official mourning for Queen Sirikit runs until 24 October 2026. The royal cremation ceremonies take place in Bangkok from 15 to 19 December 2026.
Do I need to wai back to hotel and shop staff? No. A smile and a nod is enough. Save your wai for older people and monks.
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