Thai etiquette is mostly ordinary courtesy plus a few local rules: respect the monarchy, take care at temples, and never touch someone's head or point your feet at people. This FAQ covers what matters most in 2026, from the royal mourning period to greetings, meals and taxi rides.
Thailand in 2026: the royal mourning period
Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, died on 24 October 2025, aged 93. Civil servants wear black mourning dress for one year, until 24 October 2026. The public was asked to wear subdued colours for 90 days, until 23 January 2026. No ban on entertainment was issued, but event organisers were asked to reduce festive elements.
The royal cremation ceremonies take place in Bangkok from 15 to 19 December 2026. The cremation itself is at 16:30 on 16 December 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).
For visitors, dark and sober clothes are the respectful choice near the Grand Palace and during the whole cremation week. Large crowds are likely around Sanam Luang, and closures of the Grand Palace or nearby roads have not been confirmed. If you can, visit the old city (Rattanakosin) on days outside 15 to 19 December 2026.
The monarchy and the anthems
Respect for the royal family
The Thai monarchy is deeply respected, and it is also protected by law. Section 112 of the Criminal Code sets 3 to 15 years in prison per count for defaming, insulting or threatening the King, the Queen, the heir apparent or the Regent. Anyone can file a complaint, and the law has been used against foreigners.
- Do not joke about or criticise the royal family, in person or online.
- Treat royal portraits and images with respect.
- Banknotes and coins show the King's image, so never step on money, even to stop a rolling coin.
When to stand for the anthems
| Anthem | When it plays | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| National anthem | 08:00 and 18:00 every day in public places such as parks and stations | Stop and stand still until it ends |
| Royal anthem | Before every film in cinemas, and before plays, concerts and most live shows | Stand with the rest of the audience |
The old fine for not standing for the national anthem has been abolished, but most people still stand, and visitors should do the same.
Temples and Buddhist customs
In the 2018 census, 93.5% of people in Thailand were Buddhist, 5.4% Muslim and 1.1% Christian. The country has about 40,000 temples (wat), and they are places of worship first.
What to wear and how to behave
| Suitable | Not suitable |
|---|---|
| Tops that cover the shoulders | Tank tops and sleeveless tops |
| Trousers or skirts that cover the knees | Shorts and short skirts |
| Clothes you cannot see through | See-through clothes |
- Take off your shoes before you enter a building.
- Sit with your feet tucked behind you, never pointing towards a Buddha image or a monk.
- Do not touch or climb on Buddha images.
- Speak quietly and keep your phone on silent.
Foreigners pay to enter the main Bangkok temples: about 500 THB for the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (ticket sales stop at 15:30), about 300 THB for Wat Pho and about 200 THB for Wat Arun. In Ayutthaya, fees are paid in cash at each gate, so carry small notes. Prices were checked in September 2026; confirm them on site.
Monks
- Women should not touch a monk or hand anything directly to one. Place the item in front of him, or ask a man to pass it.
- Give way to monks on footpaths.
- If you join the morning alms round, take off your shoes and place the food in the bowl without touching the monk.
Buddhist holidays and alcohol
Alcohol may not be sold on the five main Buddhist days: Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asanha Bucha, Khao Phansa and Ok Phansa. Duty-free shops at international airports are exempt. The next of these days is Ok Phansa, the end of Buddhist Lent, on 26 October 2026.
The wai greeting
The wai is the traditional Thai greeting: palms pressed together, fingers pointing up, with a slight bow of the head. It is also used to say thank you, sorry or goodbye.
- When someone gives you a wai, return it with a slight bow.
- For monks and elders, raise your hands a little higher.
- When shop or hotel staff give you a wai, a smile and a nod is a polite answer.
Head, feet and body language
In Thai culture the head is the most respected part of the body and the feet are the lowest.
- Do not touch anyone's head, including a child's, and avoid reaching over someone's head.
- Do not point your feet at people or Buddha images, and do not put them on tables or seats.
- Do not step over people or over food on the floor; walk around.
- Take off your shoes when you enter a home.
- Point with your whole open hand, not one finger.
- Keep kissing and close embraces for private places.
Saving face and kreng jai
"Face" means a person's dignity. Shouting, losing your temper or criticising someone in front of others causes loss of face for everyone involved, including you.
- Stay calm when something goes wrong.
- Raise a complaint privately and politely.
- Accept small mistakes calmly and with a smile. You will often hear "mai pen rai", which means "never mind".
Kreng jai is the wish not to trouble other people, so a Thai person may say "yes" to avoid disappointing you. Ask open questions ("Which way is faster?") and confirm times and addresses in writing.
Dining etiquette
- Dishes are shared. Take a little at a time.
- Eat with the spoon and use the fork to push food onto it. Chopsticks are mainly for noodles.
- Often one person pays for the whole table, usually the host or the most senior person. Offer to pay, but do not insist for long.
- At street food stalls, pay the price you are asked. Bargaining over food is not the custom.
Dress code away from temples
- In towns and cities, light clothes that cover the shoulders are respectful and comfortable.
- Keep beachwear for the beach and the pool, and cover up before you walk into town.
Polite Thai phrases
Thai has five tones, but Thais understand learners from context, and any attempt is appreciated.
| English | Thai | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello / goodbye | สวัสดี | sa-wat-dee |
| Thank you | ขอบคุณ | khop khun |
| Sorry / excuse me | ขอโทษ | kho thot |
| Never mind | ไม่เป็นไร | mai pen rai |
| Delicious | อร่อย | a-roi |
Add "khrap" (ครับ) to the end of a sentence if you are a man, or "kha" (ค่ะ) if you are a woman, to make it polite. Before you fly, download Thai in the Google Translate app on Wi-Fi, so it works without mobile data.
Etiquette in a taxi or private transfer
The same customs apply in a car. Greet the driver with "sa-wat-dee", keep your feet off the seats, and stay calm if traffic is slow. If the driver is unsure of the way, show the address in Thai on your phone rather than repeating it louder.
With Smile Taxi Service the fare is fixed, per vehicle (not per person), one way, with expressway tolls included. You 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. Not every driver speaks English, but you can request an English-speaking driver when you book, subject to availability. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup.
- Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok: 600 THB by sedan, 800 THB by SUV, 1,100 THB by van, with 60 minutes of free waiting from the actual landing time. Pickups or drop-offs west of the Chao Phraya River (the Thonburi side) cost 100–200 THB more. Book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok.
- Bangkok to the temples of Ayutthaya: 1,500 THB by sedan, 1,700 THB by SUV, 2,000 THB by van. Book a sedan from Bangkok to Ayutthaya, or read how to get from Bangkok to Ayutthaya.
- A full-day private Bangkok tour with a driver (up to 10 hours): 2,700 THB by sedan, 3,000 THB by SUV, 3,700 THB by van, 4,000 THB by VIP van. See tours and day trips.
All other routes are on the fare list.
Frequently asked questions
Is Thailand still in mourning for the Queen Mother?
Yes. Official mourning for Queen Sirikit runs until 24 October 2026, and the royal cremation ceremonies are on 15 to 19 December 2026 in Bangkok.
Can I buy alcohol on Buddhist holidays?
No. Sales are banned on the five main Buddhist days, except in duty-free shops at international airports. The next one is Ok Phansa, on 26 October 2026.
Do I have to stand for the anthem?
Stand for the royal anthem before a film or show. At 08:00 and 18:00, when the national anthem plays in public places, stop and stand still.
Who can I call if I need help in English?
Call 1155, the Tourist Police, whose staff speak English. For a medical emergency call 1669.
To book a transfer or a temple day trip, use the Smile Taxi booking page or message us on WhatsApp or LINE.