| |
Getting
Along In ThailandThailand
is known for its tolerance and hospitality, and the average tourist will have
no difficulty in adjusting to the local customs All the same, as when coming into
any unfamiliar society, a visitor may find it helpful to be aware of certain do's
and don't's, and thus avoid making accidental misunderstanding. Basically, most
of these are simply a matter of common sense and good manners not really all that
different from the way one would behave in one's own country but a few are special
enough to be pointed out. The
MonarchyThe
Thai people have a deep traditional reverence for their Royal Family, and a visitor
should also be careful to show respect for the King, the Queen, and the Royal
Children. In a cinema, for example, a portrait of the King is shown during the
playing of the royal anthem, and the audience is expected to stand. When attending
some public event at which a member of the Royal Family is present, the best guide
as to know how to behave is probably to watch the crowd and do what it does.
| 
Religion Thai
law has a number of special sections concerning religious offences, and these
cover not only Buddhism, the religion of the majority of the people, but also
any other faiths represented in the kingdom. It is, for instance, unlawful to
commit any act, by any means whatsoever, to an object or a place of religious
worship of any community in a manner likely to insult the religion. Similarly,
"whoever causes any disturbance at an assembly lawfully engaged in the performance
of religious worship of religious ceremonies" is subject to punishment, as
well as "whoever dresses or uses a symbol showing that he is a monk or novice,
holyman or clegyman of any religion unlawfully in order to make another person
believe he is such person."
In
less legal language, here are a few tips on what to do and what not to do on a
visit to a religious place: 
In Thailand
- Dress
neatly. Do not go topless, or in shorts, or other unsuitable attire. If you look
at the Thais around you, you will see the way they would prefer you to be dressed
which, in fact, is probably not very different from the way you would dress in
a similar place in your own country.
- It
is all right to wear shoes while walking around the compound of a Buddhist temple,
but not inside the chapel where the principal Buddha image is kept. Do not worry
about dirt when you have to take them off, the floors of such places are usually
clean.
- In
a Muslim mosque, men should wear hats and women should be well-covered with slacks
or a long skirt, a longsleeved blouse buttoned to the neck, and a scarf over the
hair. All should remove their shoes before entering the mosque and should not
be present if there is a religious gathering.
- Buddhist
monks are forbidden to touch or to be touched by a woman or to accept anything
from the hand of one. If a woman has to give anything to a monk or novice, she
first hands it to a man, who then presents it. Or in the case of a woman who wants
to present it with her hand, the monk or novice will spread out a piece of saffron
robe or handerchief in front of him, and the woman will lay down the material
on the robe which is being held at one end by the monk or novice.
- All
Buddha images, large or small, ruined or not, are regarded as sacred objects.
Therefore, do not climb up on one to take a photograph, or generally speaking,
do anything that might show a lack of respect.
|
Social
CustomsThe
don'ts of Thai social behaviour are less clearly defined than these concerning
the monarchy or religion, especially in a city like Bangkok where western customs
are better known and more widely accepted. However, what is acceptable in Bangkok
may not be in the countryside where the old ways are still prevalent. Here are
a few things to keep in mind:
In Thailand
- Thais
do not normally shake hands when they greet one another, but instead press the
palms together in a prayer like gesture called a wai. Generally, a younger person
wais an elder, who returns it. Watch how the Thais do it, and you will soon learn.
- It
is considered rude to point your foot at a person, so try to avoid doing so when
sitting opposite anyone, and following the conception that the foot is a low limb;
do not point your foot to show anything to anyone but use your finger instead.
- Thais
regard the head as the highest part of the body both literally and figuratively.
As a result, they do not approve of touching anyone on that part of the body,
even in a friendly gesture. Similarly, if you watch Thais at a social gathering,
you will notice that young people go to considerable lengths to keep their heads
lower than those of the elder ones, to avoid giving the impression of "looking
down" on them. This is not always possible, of course, but it is the effort
that counts.
- Public
displays of affection between men and women are frowned upon. You may see some
very westernised young Thai couples holding hands, but that is the extent of the
displaying of affection in this polite society.
- Losing
your temper, especially in public, will more than likely get you nowhere. The
Thais think that such displays denote poor manners, and you are more able to get
what you want by keeping calm and concealing your emotions.
- Do
not be surprised if you are addressed by your first name: for instance, Mr. Bob
or Miss Maryinstead of by your surname. This is because Thais refer to one another
in this manner, usually with the title "Khun" (Mr., Mrs. or miss) in
front. Follow the customs of the country as far as possible, and you will make
more friends during your stay.
| Special
Advice
1. Beware of unauthorized
people who offer their services as guides. Contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand
(TAT)'s counters for all tourist information. The TAT's counters are located in
the Arrival Hall of the Bangkok International Airport; at Terminal 1 Tel: 523-8972-3,
or at Terminal 2 Tel: 535-2669 from 08.00 to 24.00 hrs.; at the main office on
Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue Tel: 281 -0422 during working hours of 08.30 to 16.30
hrs. 2.
Visitors are advised to use the hotel taxi service at their hotel if they do not
know their way around or cannot speak the local language. 3.
Observe all normal precautions as regards to personal safety, as well as the safety
of your belongings. Walking alone on quiet streets or deserted areas is not recommended.
Be sure that all your valuables -money, jewellery, and airline tickets- are properly
protected from loss. 4.
Use the service of only registered travel agents. 5.
Visitors needing assistance relating to safety, unethical practices, or other
matters, please call the Tourist Assistance Centre immediately (Tel: 281 -5051,
282-8129) or contact the Tourist Police (Tel: 678-6800- 9 or 1699) 6.
Penalties for drug offences are very severe in Thailand, do not get yourself involved
with drugs. 7.
Please drop your garbage into a waste container. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
is now strictly enforcing the law in an effort to keep the city clean and healthy.
The fine (maximum 2,000 baht) will be imposed on a person who spits, discards
cigarette stubs, or drops rubbish in public areas.
| |
Email : info@ehotelboking.com Attn : Ms. Polly 
