It is easy to love Thailand: the pace of life is unhurried, the people are generally friendly and the pressures on the short-term visitor are relatively few. A smile goes a long way, chitchat is more important than a to-do list and doling out compliments is a national sport. That doesn't mean that every Thai is a cheery Pollyanna. So many for- eigners pass through the country completely oblivious of the culture and customs that many Thais in the tourism industry suffer from foreigner fatigue'. Further complicating matters is that tourism is a relatively lucrative industry attracting sound business people as well as fast operators and con artists. Handicapped by language and culture, many visitors have a hard time spotting the genuine sweethearts from the shysters. Knowing a little bit more about this place will make you a smarter traveller and a better guest. Emanate a sense of warmth and happiness and the Thais will instinctively respond in kind. Know how to behave politely in public and you'll coax a smile from the disapproving schoolmarms. Learn some of the language and you'll become a fast friend with everyone from the noodle vendor to the taxi driver.
The Culture
Thais are generally tolerant of most kinds of behaviour and assume that the majority of foreigners know nothing about their country. When you do exhibit the slightest bit of etiquette mastery, Thais will beam with gratitude. For information on how to understand Thai culture as a whole, see Monarchy Etiquette If you do nothing else, remember to treat the monarchy and the religion (which are often viewed as interconnected) with extreme deference. Thais regard any image of the king and the royal family with religious devotion. Money, which bears images of the king, is never stepped on (in the case of a dropped bill) or kept in one's shoe. In addition, avoid criticising or disparaging the royal family. Thais are very guarded about discussing negative aspects of the monarchy for fear of offending someone or worse, being charged for lese-majesty, which carries a jail sentence. It's also considered a grave insult to Thai nationhood, and to the monar- chy, not to stand when you hear the national or royal anthems. Radio and Tv stations in Thailand broadcast the national anthem daily at 8am and 6pm; in towns and villages this can be heard over public loudspeakers in the streets or in bus and train stations. In Bangkok, the national anthem is played in Skytrain and subway stations. The Thais stop whatever they're doing to stand during the anthem and visitors are expected to do likewise. (It is not necessary to stand if you're inside a home or business.) The royal anthem is played just before films are shown in public cinemas; again, the audience always stands until it's over. Temple Etiquette When visiting a temple, it is very important to dress modestly (covered to the elbows and the ankles) and to take your shoes off when you enter any building that contains a Buddha image. Buddha images are sacred objects, so don't pose in front of them for pictures and definitely do not clamber upon them. When sitting in a religious edifice, keep your feet pointed away from any Buddha images. The usual way to do this is to sit in the mermaid' pose in which your legs are folded to the side, with your feet pointing backwards. The dress code at royally associated temples is strictly enforced and trousers or long sarongs are available to rent if tourists are dressed in shorts. Monks are not supposed to touch or be touched by women. If a woman wants to hand something to a monk, the object should be placed within reach of the monk or on the monk's receiving cloth' and not handed directly to him. Since most temples are maintained from the donations received, when you visit a temple remember to make a contribution.
