Thai customs come from Buddhism and from deep respect for the monarchy and for older people. You do not need to learn every rule: Thais forgive small mistakes by visitors, and they appreciate any effort you make. This guide explains the customs you will meet most often and what has changed in 2025 and 2026.
What is different in 2025 and 2026
Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, died on 24 October 2025, aged 93. Thailand is still marking the loss:
- Mourning dress: civil servants wear black for one year, from 25 October 2025 to 24 October 2026. The public was asked to wear subdued colours for 90 days, until 23 January 2026, and that request has ended.
- Entertainment: no ban was issued, but event organisers were asked to tone down festive elements.
- The royal cremation: the ceremonies run from 15 to 19 December 2026 in Bangkok. The cremation itself takes place at 16:30 on 16 December 2026 at the royal crematorium at Sanam Luang, next to the Grand Palace, and will be broadcast in full on Thai TV.
What this means for you: in the Grand Palace area before 24 October 2026, and during the cremation week, dark and sober clothes are the respectful choice. Crowds and road closures are likely around Sanam Luang during the cremation, so plan old-town sightseeing in Bangkok for other days.
Greetings: the wai and polite names
The wai
The wai (ไหว้) is the traditional Thai greeting: palms pressed together in front of the body, with a slight bow of the head. It shows respect and can mean hello, thank you or sorry. Keep it simple:
- When someone gives you a wai, return it with a slight bow.
- Raise your hands higher, towards your face, for monks and older people.
- When shop or hotel staff greet you with a wai, a smile and a nod is a polite answer.
- Younger people usually give the wai first. If you are unsure, a smile is always welcome.
Names and polite words
Thais address each other by first name, with khun (คุณ) in front as a polite title. Use it with your guide, hotel staff and driver. Among friends you will also hear phi (พี่) for someone older and nong (น้อง) for someone younger. Men end polite sentences with khrap (ครับ) and women with kha (ค่ะ).
Temples, monks and Buddhist days
In the 2018 census, 93.5% of people in Thailand were Buddhist, 5.4% Muslim and 1.1% Christian. The constitution names no state religion but promotes Buddhism, and you will see its customs everywhere, from monks collecting alms at dawn to families making merit (tham bun) at the temple.
Visiting a temple
- Dress: cover your shoulders and knees. Big temples usually lend or rent sarongs at the entrance.
- Shoes: take them off before you enter a temple building.
- Buddha images: do not point your feet at them. When you sit, tuck your feet behind you or to the side.
- Monks: women should not touch a monk or hand him anything directly. Place the item on a cloth or table, or ask a man to pass it.
Big temples charge foreigners an entrance fee, while Thai nationals usually enter free. Prices checked in September 2026 (confirm at the gate):
| Temple | Approximate fee for foreigners | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok | 500 THB | 08:30–16:30, tickets until 15:30 |
| Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha), Bangkok | 300 THB | From 08:00 until early evening |
| Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), Bangkok | 200 THB | 08:00–18:00 |
| Ayutthaya Historical Park | 50 THB at main temples such as Wat Mahathat, or 220 THB for a six-temple pass | About 08:00–18:00 |
The Ayutthaya pass covers Wat Mahathat, Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Phra Ram, Wat Chaiwatthanaram and Wat Maheyong. It is valid for 30 days and is paid in cash at the gate, so carry small notes. Children under 120 cm enter Wat Pho free.
Buddhist holidays and the alcohol ban
Alcohol may not be sold on the five main Buddhist days: Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asanha Bucha, Khao Phansa (the start of Buddhist Lent) and Ok Phansa (the end of Lent). Duty-free shops at international airports are exempt.
In 2026, Makha Bucha was on 3 March, Visakha Bucha on 31 May, Asanha Bucha on 29 July and Khao Phansa on 30 July. The next one is Ok Phansa on 26 October 2026: shops and most venues cannot sell alcohol that day, so plan your dinner around it.
The monarchy and the anthems
Thais have deep respect for the royal family, and the law also protects it. 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. It has been used against foreigners. Do not joke about or criticise the royal family, in person or online.
Two anthems are part of daily life:
- The national anthem plays in public places, such as parks and stations, at 08:00 and 18:00 every day. People stop and stand still until it ends. Do the same.
- The royal anthem is a different song. It plays before every film in cinemas and before plays, concerts and most live shows, and the audience stands.
Head, feet and keeping calm
- The head is the most respected part of the body. Do not touch anyone's head, not even a child's, and do not pass things over someone's head.
- The feet are the lowest part. Do not point them at people or Buddha images, do not rest them on tables or chairs, and do not step over people or food.
- Pointing: use your whole hand rather than one finger.
- Affection: keep kisses and long embraces private.
- Keeping calm: showing anger in public makes everyone lose face and rarely solves the problem. A calm, smiling request works far better. You will often hear mai pen rai (ไม่เป็นไร), "never mind", which sums up this relaxed attitude.
Visiting a home and sharing a meal
In a Thai home, take your shoes off at the door, and step over the threshold rather than on it. Greet your hosts, older people first, and accept a drink when it is offered. Fruit or sweets make a simple gift. Give and receive things with your right hand, or with both hands to show more respect.
Thai meals are shared: dishes go in the middle, and everyone takes a little at a time with the serving spoon. Eat with the spoon in your right hand and use the fork in your left to push food onto it. Wait for the oldest person or the host to start. The person who invited usually pays, although offering to pay is polite.
Festivals through the year
- Songkran (Thai New Year), 13–15 April every year: famous for water splashing in the streets, and also a time to pour water over Buddha images, pay respect to elders and go home to family. UNESCO listed "Songkran in Thailand" as intangible cultural heritage in 2023.
- Loy Krathong, late November: people float small decorated baskets (krathong) on rivers and lakes. In 2026 it falls around 24 November, but sources differ by a day, so check the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Chiang Mai holds Yi Peng over the same days. Because of air traffic, sky lanterns may not be released in central Chiang Mai: use permitted sites outside the centre, such as Nong Bua Pra Chao Luang lake in Doi Saket, or a ticketed event.
Customs on the road
The same courtesy works in a taxi. Greet your driver with sawasdee khrap or sawasdee kha, use khun before the driver's first name, and stay patient if traffic is slow.
With Smile Taxi Service, the fare is fixed before you travel, per vehicle and one way, with expressway tolls included, so there is nothing to bargain over. 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.
From Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok, the fare 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 more. Book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok, or see all routes and fares.
For the temples of Ayutthaya, a transfer from Bangkok costs 1,500 THB by sedan, 1,700 THB by SUV and 2,000 THB by van, one way. Book a sedan from Bangkok to Ayutthaya, or read our guide on how to get from Bangkok to Ayutthaya. To visit Bangkok's temples with your own driver, the full-day Bangkok Tour (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.
Useful phrases
| English | Thai | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello / goodbye | สวัสดี | sawasdee |
| Thank you | ขอบคุณ | khop khun |
| Sorry / excuse me | ขอโทษ | khor thot |
| Never mind / no problem | ไม่เป็นไร | mai pen rai |
| How are you? | สบายดีไหม | sabai dee mai? |
FAQ
Which days can't I buy alcohol? On Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asanha Bucha, Khao Phansa and Ok Phansa. The next one is 26 October 2026. Airport duty-free shops are exempt.
Is Thailand still in mourning in 2026? Official mourning for Queen Sirikit runs until 24 October 2026, and the royal cremation takes place from 15 to 19 December 2026 in Bangkok.
Do I have to stand for the anthem? Yes, it is expected as a sign of respect. Stand for the royal anthem before films and shows, and stop for the national anthem at 08:00 and 18:00 in public places.
When is Songkran? Songkran, the Thai New Year, is on 13–15 April every year, with water splashing in the streets and visits to family and temples.
Who can I call if something goes wrong? The Tourist Police on 1155 have English-speaking staff. For a medical emergency, call 1669.
When you are ready to travel, book your transfer or message us on WhatsApp or LINE.