Do's and Dont's!

[Madam H]

Very important things to remember if you're coming to Thailand for the first time:

1. Never, never use your foot to point at something, or to move something. The feet are considered to be the lowest part of the body, and to Buddhists in Thailand, it's the rudest form of behavior if you use it for anything other than walking the streets of Thailand  (or playing football, or kicking your opponent if you're doing Muay Thai. That's Thai kick boxing!)

[sanell]

2. Never point at someone when talking to them they are very much offended by this

3. Wear pants and closed shoe and sleeve shirt when visiting temples.

4. Never touch anyone head or you will get punch in the face.

5. Remember you're place some people don't realized this but Thailand follow a class system

[joe D dried mango]

2. Never point at someone when talking to them they are very much offended by this

3. Wear pants and closed shoe and sleeve shirt when visiting temples.

4. Never touch anyone head or you will get punch in the face.

5. Remember you're place some people don't realized this but Thailand follow a class system

same restrictions in my hometown(lol)

[Master J]

- always be respectful about Buddhism. Dress correctly in Temples (wear sleeves, do not wear short pants etc.). Don't sit on Buddha images if you want to be photographed. Sit before the image then. That is perfectly all right. You will insult Thai people deeply if you offend Buddhism in these ways.
- always speak respectfully about HM The King and HM The Queen. They are respected deeply by the Thai people and not without reason! The King is the initiator of many programs to replace opium culture by vegetable culture and you find "Royal Projects" all over the Country (especially in the North) where you can see the results of this work.

- always be respectful to the elderly, in every situation. If you are bargaining at the market with a seller who is obviously older than you are, or if you are bargaining with a tuk-tuk driver who is older than you, do this in a polite way, with a smile on your face and don't be rude. (Apart from being considered to be a polite person, as a bonus you will see the result in the price!)

- take your shoes off before entering a Thai house, if you are invited to visit somebody in his/her home. Do the same at other places where the Thai people do so too (for instance before entering beauty salons, hair dressers etc.). It is very common to see something like shown on the picture below when you enter a Thai house.

[sinner217]

-try to use "ka"(for women) and "kup/krup"(for men) at the end of your sentence.  it's the counterpart of our "po" and "opo"

-be reminded that this is the Land of Smile, most Thais would just smile even they do not exactly know what you're talking about, try to smile back and say "mai pen rai".  i simply admire how Thais can control their tempers.

-patience is still a virtue in Thailand.

-hugging and kissing (even holding hands) publicly are still taboo.

-Thais are very particular with how they look.  They dress very colorfully that sometimes(or most of the times) they are ****, dont stare at them and just mind your own business.

-i assume that they are trained to sit on the floor.  if you need to sit with them on the floor, never point your feet to anyone, tuck it under your legs(like kneeling).


***Modified by Madam H on the ground that it could be deemed defamatory.***

[avesoriano]

very very informative... di ba nakakapulikat if you kneel? di talaga pwedeng indian sit?

[Madam H]

Pwede naman yung Indian sitting position, but preferably, no toes or feet pointing at or facing anybody.

Phrases to know before you come here, or while you are new here:

"mai pen rai" - it means, "never mind". Buddhist teachings promote the middle way in life, so you'll find the locals do not sweat over stuff, even when sometimes, they are "major" to us. Being too passionate about things and situations, and showing your emotions publicly in public is a no-no. So if you encounter mishaps along the way, just say to yourself, "mai pen rai".

"chai-yen-yen" - I think it roughly means, "Relax; cool it." Theres no need to get angry, pissed, annoyed, irritated, in the eyes of the locals here; which is probably a good thing to learn coz we Filipinos sometimes do fret over small stuff. So, 'Chai-yen-yen, take it easy, life is good...

[SilverSurfer]

In funerals, always wear black or white - for the whole body. Red is a no no. Money in an envelope is normal but preferrably given before you leave.

[iSDa(GO PORTAL)]

don't forget to keep your cool in the restaurant when the waiter/waitress seems not to hear you call while he/she cleans the other table or doing something else.

when given the wrong order, do politely tell them the error.

some of us wants things done faster, and tends to get pissed when they move in slow motion.

do express your temper in a such graceful by the cover of a smile.



fish yo!

[SilverSurfer]

don't forget to keep your cool in the restaurant when the waiter/waitress seems not to hear you call while he/she cleans the other table or doing something else.

when given the wrong order, do politely tell them the error.

some of us wants things done faster, and tends to get pissed when they move in slow motion.

do express your temper in a such graceful by the cover of a smile.



fish yo!

Absolutely Fish! Got a similar experience while ordering breakfast today. Kept my cool and got a free smile on the house 

[khun.mike]

When I first came to Thailand 5 years ago, the Do's and Don'ts for Filipinos soon became clear.

1.  Accept a lower wage, even when you are more qualified than native speakers.
2.  Filipinos must work harder, and be less respected, particularly by Thai senior staff.
3.  Filipinos will be dispensable in the workplace, and can easily be replaced.
4.  Depending on the workplace, Filipinos must stick closely together and enjoy a sense of paranoia, even against native speakers.
5.  Filipinos must accept a place in society near to indians, black people, and desperate cheap foreign labor, despite our talents and abilities.

I have just returned from a year away.

Have things changed?

[SilverSurfer]

I see some positive shifts from your list Khun Mike. I hope no. 4 has decreased, got no first hand info on this.

I always look for the brighter side - There are a lot more pinoys employed at work which in turn helps our country from remittances, pinoys excel easily at work through promotions or get higher position and pay, we've won accolades as the best migrant workers in the world (in numbers, in as many countries, and low crime involvement in that country), not mention the flexibility of making "Adobo" anywhere, anytime, that can make any Filipino smile and forget the worries of life - priceless!!! 

We are survivors and as we know from the word, will be the last one standing. Basta wag maging pihikan sa trabaho at may tiyaga at common sense - malayo mararating mo pinoy!

[blubinginone]

When I first came to Thailand 5 years ago, the Do's and Don'ts for Filipinos soon became clear.

1.  Accept a lower wage, even when you are more qualified than native speakers.
2.  Filipinos must work harder, and be less respected, particularly by Thai senior staff.
3.  Filipinos will be dispensable in the workplace, and can easily be replaced.
4.  Depending on the workplace, Filipinos must stick closely together and enjoy a sense of paranoia, even against native speakers.
5.  Filipinos must accept a place in society near to indians, black people, and desperate cheap foreign labor, despite our talents and abilities.

I have just returned from a year away.

Have things changed?

Yes, a bit of that and a bit of those.

And what about you? Have you seen them upon return?