In Thailand, local traditions are part of daily life: a small shrine with fresh flowers outside a hotel, monks collecting food at dawn, a driver who raises his hands as he passes a temple. This guide explains the traditions you are most likely to meet, what they mean, and how to take part politely.
Most of this is custom, not law, and Thai people are patient with visitors who make small mistakes.
What is different in late 2026
Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, died on 24 October 2025 at the age of 93.
- Mourning: civil servants wear black mourning from 25 October 2025 to 24 October 2026. The public was asked to wear subdued colours for 90 days, until 23 January 2026.
- Festivals: entertainment was not banned, but event organisers were asked to make festive elements more modest, so some events may be quieter.
- 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).
Official announcements do not say whether the Grand Palace will close that week, but crowds and road closures around Sanam Luang are likely, so visit Bangkok's old city on other days. Near the palace, and during the cremation week, dark and sober clothes are the respectful choice.
Spirit houses (san phra phum)
Many Thai homes, shops, hotels and offices have a spirit house (ศาลพระภูมิ): a small shrine on a pillar, often shaped like a miniature temple. It is a home for Phra Phum, the guardian spirit of the land, who is believed to protect the people who live or work there.
Owners and staff leave offerings, often every morning: flower garlands, incense, candles, food and drinks.
- Take photos from a respectful distance, and do not touch or move the offerings.
- Do not step over offerings on the ground, and never use a shrine as a table or seat.
The wai: the Thai greeting
The wai (ไหว้) is the traditional greeting: palms pressed together in front of you, as if in prayer, with a slight bow of the head. It means hello, goodbye, thank you or sorry. A simple version is enough:
- Returning a wai: palms together and a slight bow.
- Monks and elders: raise your hands a little higher and bow a little deeper.
- Shop and hotel staff, or when your hands are full: a smile and a nod is a polite answer.
Add a polite word when you can: sawatdee khrap (said by men) or sawatdee kha (said by women) means hello.
Merit making (tham bun)
Tham bun (ทำบุญ) means "making merit": doing good deeds that bring good results in this life and the next. In the 2018 census, 93.5% of people in Thailand were Buddhist, and merit making is part of their daily life. People make merit by giving food to monks, donating any amount to a temple, and offering flowers, incense and candles.
Joining the morning alms round
Monks walk the streets early in the morning to receive food. Visitors may join quietly:
- Bring food that is ready to give, such as sticky rice or packaged food.
- Take off your shoes if the local people around you do, and wait at the side of the road.
- Place the food in the bowl without touching the monk. Women should not touch a monk or hand him things directly.
- Stay quiet and do not expect thanks. The monks may chant a short blessing.
Take photos only from a distance, without flash, and never block the monks' way.
Water blessings and Songkran
At many temples a monk will bless visitors by sprinkling water over them while chanting: bow your head, hold your hands in a wai and stay still until he finishes. A donation is welcome but not required.
The best-known water tradition is Songkran, the Thai New Year, on 13-15 April every year. UNESCO added "Songkran in Thailand" to its list of intangible cultural heritage in 2023. The traditional custom is to visit temples and pour scented water over the hands of parents and elders to ask for their blessing. This is called rot nam dam hua. The water fights in the streets are the modern, playful part of the festival.
The festival year
| Tradition | 2026 date | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Songkran | 13-15 April | Thai New Year, water blessings |
| Khao Phansa | 30 July | Start of Buddhist Lent |
| Ok Phansa | 26 October | End of Buddhist Lent |
| Loy Krathong and Yi Peng | Late November (around 24 November) | Floating offerings on water, lanterns in the north |
Sources disagree by a day on the 2026 date of Loy Krathong, so check the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Alcohol may not be sold on the five Buddhist holy days (Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asanha Bucha, Khao Phansa and Ok Phansa), except in airport duty-free shops. The next one is Ok Phansa on 26 October 2026, so plan your evening meals with this in mind.
Sky lanterns in Chiang Mai
During Yi Peng, people release paper lanterns (khom loi) into the night sky. Because of air traffic, this is not allowed in central Chiang Mai. Go to a permitted site outside the city, such as Nong Bua Pra Chao Luang lake in Doi Saket, or join a ticketed event.
Regional traditions
Each region keeps its own customs and often its own language, and Central Thai, the only official language, is widely understood.
- The North (Lanna): Yi Peng lanterns and the Northern Thai language (Kham Mueang), with about 6 million speakers.
- The Northeast (Isan): the Isan language, close to Lao, has about 15 million speakers. Central Thai works, but people appreciate it when visitors say khop jai (thank you in Isan).
- The South: Nora, the southern dance drama, has been on UNESCO's intangible heritage list since 2021.
Other Thai traditions on that list are Khon masked dance drama (2018), Nuad Thai massage (2019) and Tom Yum Kung (2024). Loy Krathong and Muay Thai have been nominated.
Anthems and the monarchy
The national anthem is played in public places at 08:00 and 18:00 every day, and people stop and stand still, for example in parks and stations. The royal anthem, a different song, is played before every film in cinemas, and the audience stands.
Respect for the royal family is also law. Section 112 of the Criminal Code sets 3 to 15 years in prison per count for insulting the King, Queen, heir apparent or Regent, and it has been used against foreigners. Do not joke about or criticise the royal family, in person or online.
Places to see Thai traditions
Prices are for foreign visitors, checked in September 2026; confirm on site, and carry small notes for temple gates.
- Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok: 500 THB, open daily 08:30-16:30, with ticket sales ending at 15:30. The ticket includes the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles, a good place to see traditional Thai dress.
- Wat Pho and Wat Arun, Bangkok: about 300 THB and 200 THB. Both open at 08:00; Wat Pho stays open until early evening and Wat Arun until 18:00.
- Jim Thompson House Museum, Bangkok: traditional Thai houses near BTS National Stadium (Exit 1). Open daily 10:00-17:00, and every visit inside the house is guided. Adults pay 250 THB. Shoes come off, and there is no flash, selfies or video inside.
- Ayutthaya Historical Park: a 220 THB ticket, paid in cash at the gate, covers six temples and is valid for 30 days.
Wherever you go, cover your shoulders and knees at temples, take off your shoes before entering a temple building or a home, never point your feet at people or at a Buddha image, and ask before you photograph a ceremony.
Getting to the temples and festivals
Public transport is cheaper and works well inside Bangkok. For a day among the temples of Ayutthaya, especially with family, a private car saves time. Smile Taxi Service fares are fixed per vehicle, one way, with expressway tolls included:
| Route | Sedan | SUV | Van |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok to Ayutthaya | 1,500 THB | 1,700 THB | 2,000 THB |
| Ayutthaya to Bangkok | 1,200 THB | 1,500 THB | 2,000 THB |
Book a sedan from Bangkok to Ayutthaya or book a sedan from Ayutthaya to Bangkok. For a temple day inside Bangkok, a full-day Bangkok tour with a driver (up to 10 hours) costs 2,700 THB by sedan, 3,000 THB by SUV, 3,700 THB by van or 4,000 THB by VIP van: see full-day tours with a driver. 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 payment link (an extra fee for creating and handling the payment link may apply). Cancellation is 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). For all the options, read how to get from Bangkok to Ayutthaya.
FAQ
When is Loy Krathong and Yi Peng in 2026? In late November, around 24 November 2026. Sources differ by a day, so check the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Can I release a sky lantern in Chiang Mai? Not in the city centre. Go to a permitted site outside the city, such as Doi Saket, or to a ticketed event.
Can I still see Siam Niramit in Bangkok? No. The Bangkok show closed permanently in 2021, and only Siam Niramit Phuket runs today.
Is Thailand still in mourning? Official mourning for Queen Sirikit runs until 24 October 2026, and the royal cremation takes place on 15-19 December 2026 in Bangkok.
To plan a temple day or a festival trip with a private driver, message us on WhatsApp.