Thailand Travel Tips

Please dress properly in all religious temples and shrines. Do not ever go without sleeves or in shorts, hot pants or other unsuitable clothes, and remove your shoes before entering a temple or a private Thai home. And treat monks with the highest respect. Buddhist monks are forbidden to touch or be touched by a woman, or to accept anything from the hand of a woman.
Use ‘wai’ (pronounce like why) which is the traditional gesture of greeting and thanking and done by joining hands in front of the chest and bending the head (the higher the hands, the more respect you’re showing) to say hello or to apologize.
Give a tip at a nice restaurant, and if you want, donate money to a respectable charity.
Try to bring some small presents if you’re invited somewhere, as the Thai love to make presents to each other, and keep smiling. The Thai smile when they feel embarrassed.

As Thai people have a deep, traditional reverence for the Royal Family, don’t show disrespect to the Thai Royal Family and Buddha images which are regarded as a sacred object, or you may get a punishment. It is not allowed to take Buddha images out of the country unless you get special permission.
It is better not to cross your legs when you are in the presence of a monk, no matter you are sitting on the floor or in a chair. Do not touch Thai’s head or ruffle their hair, which is regarded as the highest part of the body, literally and figuratively. Do not point at people or things with your feet which is considered very rude.
Do not be offended by questions about age, salary or marital status, which are common questions Thai ask each other when first meet.
Do not keep your valuables in a hotel safe deposit box. Some safe deposit boxes are the most unsafe places for safekeeping. Entrust your valuables only to respectable hotels.

Most large cities in Thailand now have clinics catering specially to tourists, which are usually more expensive than local ones but are worth using, as they offer a superior standard of care and understand the local system. It is not very easy to find reliable medical care in rural areas. At that time, you can contact your embassy or insurance company. Self-treatment may be appropriate jif your problem is minor. But if you think you may get a serious disease, especially malaria, immediately travel to the nearest quality facility to see a doctor. It is not suggested to buy medicine over the counter because fake medications and poorly stored or out-of-date drugs are common.