7 Do’s and Don’ts In Thailand (That Will Save You From Embarrassment!)

Traveling to Thailand can be a wonderful adventure, but it comes with some warnings. You should be aware of certain do’s and don’ts in Thailand. Knowing them will save you certain embarrassment.

Here are 7 travel tips for Thailand, including some cultural customs as well as sightseeing suggestions.

They will help to make sure you have a great time when you visit Thailand!

CONTENTS: In this article, you will learn more about 7 important Do’s and Don’ts in Thailand to ensure a great travel experience, including:

• DO: Visit the Islands
• DON’T: Disrespect Anything To Do With Buddha
• DO: Be Careful Near the Roads
• DON’T: Forget the Dress Codes for Temples
• DO: Research Hotels Before Choosing Where to Stay
• DON’T: Be Surprised If You Decide You Want to Stay
• Final Thoughts

What to Expect in Thailand as a Westerner

Like most countries in the East, you might find Thailand is vastly different from what you are accustomed to as a Westerner.

The way of life in Southeast Asia is incomparable to our experiences.

Oddly enough, this is one of the reasons it’s such an excellent travel destination: you get to experience a new culture for the very first time! 

As if that weren’t enough, Thailand is also one of the cheapest destinations to visit!

So, with an open mind and an awareness of these do’s and don’ts in Thailand, you’re sure to have an incredible experience.

1. DO: Visit the Islands

Thailand has lots of little islands that are well worth visiting while you’re over there.

How many islands are there in Thailand? 1,430!

It’s well worth going to some of these islands. Otherwise you’ll miss out on an important part of this country.

There are plenty of things to do in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, too. But they’re very busy and full of the hustle and bustle of modern life.

On the islands, you have a more relaxed vibe and many things to do.

Some islands include animal sanctuaries, others have yoga resorts.

You’ll find there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

I always think it’s worth looking for island destinations whenever I go traveling. Islands tend to hold all the best hidden gems.

And, of course, that’s no different in Thailand!

Some of the most popular islands in Thailand include Phuket, Ko Samui, and Ko Lipe.

Here is what you can expect to find in each.

Phuket

In Phuket, you’ll discover many of Thailand’s most popular beaches. They run along the western shore and clear waters of the Andaman Sea.

Phuket is the largest island in Thailand, so there’s plenty to do.

Here are some ideas.

Spend time exploring both the mountains and rainforests during this half-day jungle hike with hotel pick up.

You might choose to stay in one of the high-end seaside resorts like this one.

If you like tours, sign-up to take a tour of the Chalong Bay Rum Distillery. You can also take a Thai Cooking Class.

Shopping fans will want to check out the myriad of markets and shops in Phuket City.

Feeling adventurous? Book a scuba diving and snorkeling day tour.

From Phuket, you can also take a day trip to the Phi Phi and Khai Islands.

Click here to see a comprehensive list of Phuket activities to round out your itinerary when you visit Phuket.

Related: Book A Thrilling Phuket Motorcycle Rental: 5 Important Tips

Ko Samui

The large island of Ko Samui is also known locally as “Samui.”

It is part of the Chumphon Archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand. It is also the second-largest island in Thailand.

Here, you’ll find palm-tree lined beaches, coconut groves, mountains, and rainforests in Ko Samui.

If you’re looking for a hotspot with a great night-life, consider renting a beachfront hotel room at Chaweng Beach.

On a tiny island connected to Ko Samui by a causeway, you’ll find a giant golden Buddha. This landmark is the Wat Phra Yai temple.

On Ko Samui, you can also visit an ethical elephant sanctuary.

Or, take a day-long trekking tour to a secret Buddha garden.

Another fun activity on Ko Samui is to do an off-road jungle buggy safari.

Click here to see more guided Ko Samui tours and activities you won’t want to miss.

Ko Lipe

Ko Lipe is a small island in Thailand. It’s about about 1.3 miles long x 1.5 miles wide.

You’ll find it near Malaysia’s border.

Ko Lipe is a small Thai island that’s delightful.

The aboriginal people of Ko Lipe are The Urak Lawoi people.

This island is one of several small islands on the border of the Tarutao National Marine Park. The offer sandy beaches and coral-rich waters.

You’ll also discover plenty of dive sites. Two popular dive sites in Ko Lipe are the 8 Mile Rock pinnacle and the Yong Hua Shipwreck.

You can explore them on your own, or book a private snorkeling and sunset longboat tour.

If you want to get directly to Ko Lipe, you can get a shared 1-way transfer to Ko Lipe from the Airport here:

2. Don’t: Disrespect Anything To Do With Buddha

As someone from the West, you may not see images of the Buddha that often.

So, when you get to Thailand, you might be surprised by all the different images and statues that you see.

Around 95% of the country follow Buddhism, so it’s a very big part of Thai culture.

The problem is that Buddha images or statues might look a bit funny to some people.

Likewise, you may try to pose for photos by images or statues of Buddha.

Do not take photos or pose with the Buddha!

This is perhaps one of the most important of the do’s and don’ts in Thailand.

In fact, it’s best to keep your distance from anything related to Buddhism to avoid causing offense.

For instance:

• Don’t openly mock the Buddha
• Definitely don’t make funny poses by statues
• Be kind and respectful of the local people and their faith

This should go without saying in any country, but especially in Thailand.

Why?

Not only is it rude, but you can actually be put in prison for defiling a Buddha image.

It’s true, even if you’re a foreign visitor.

So, be sure you’re on your best behavior.

3. DO: Be Careful On and Around The Roads

Generally, Thailand is a very safe country for tourists.

However, it has developed a reputation as one of the most dangerous places to drive in the world.

A lot of people get into road accidents in Thailand every single year.

The drivers in Thailand are erratic at best. You’ll see lots of motorbikes and scooters weaving through the traffic, too.

Also, the road surfaces are rough.

They are often poorly lit and marked. Worse, they offer few barriers.

And that’s just to name a few of the driving hazards.

So, even though self-driving (car or motorcycle) and fuel is cheap, factor the risks into your decision.

You may want to avoid driving a car in Thailand, just to be safe.

(Reminder: Thailand drives on the left.)

Alternatives to Driving in Thailand

Some alternatives to driving in Thailand you might consider for getting around include:

• Tuk-tuk
• Subway
• Taxi
• Ferry
• Bus
• Train
• Plane

To avoid driving from the airport, one convenient option is to shuttle from the airport by ferry with this service.

You’ll also find some great bus and minivan tours in Phuket. These might be a great alternative to driving.

If you want to avoid land altogether for a while, take this amazing scuba diving tour for beginners!

And, if scuba sounds fun to you, you’ll find plenty of incredible snorkeling opportunities here. They’ll safely deliver you to the dive site by speedboat.

You can even take this Semi-Private James Bond Island Boat Tour.

How cool is that?!

Even if you’re not driving, you’ll want to be cautious when you’re walking close to the road.

That’s because pedestrians often get hit in Thailand.

That said, if you’re aware of your surroundings, you shouldn’t face any issues.

It’s just something to think about while you’re visiting and considering the do’s and don’ts in Thailand.

4. DON’T: Forget the Dress Code for Temples

You’re probably aware that Thailand is famous for all of its amazing temples, known as wats.

There are over 500 temples in Chiang Mai alone, and as many as 41,000 temples in Thailand.

These temples are a massive tourist hotspot!

It’s important for you to understand the customs in Thailand related to these religious temples.

Don’t enter one without adhering to the dress codes.

You won’t always be refused entry, but you will disgust the locals and receive many angry looks.

It’s actually pretty easy to figure out the dress code in a Thai temple.

You’ll see signs near the temples before you go in.

All tourist guidebooks will tell you about the dress code.

And you can do your research online as well.

But here’s a quick summary:

What to Wear in a Thai Temple

The general rule is that you need to cover your shoulders and knees at the very least.

Most temples prefer your ankles to be covered too.

Appropriate Attire for Women in a Thai Temple

• A knee-length-or-longer dress/skirt, capris, pants/trousers are preferable
• Longer shorts may be permissible
• A shirt that fully covers your shoulders or covers your shoulders with a shawl
• Avoid tight stretch pants, tight athletic wear, and clingy tops that might be considered too revealing

Appropriate Attire for Men in a Thai Temple

• A good quality t-shirt, polo shirt, or button-down collared shirt, or another shirt that covers your shoulders
• Jeans, Chino pants, or loose slacks are preferable
• Long golf or Bermuda shorts may be permissible

Other Important Etiquette for Thai Temple

It’s also important to note some of these other cultural norms and etiquette when you visit a Thai temple.

• Turn off your phone and remove headphones
• Refrain from smoking, chewing gum, and snacking
• Remove your shoes
• Remove your sunglasses and hat
• Treat the space with due respect (avoid being loud or joking)
• Stand up in respect when monks enter the room
• Greet monks with a wai (a prayer-like gesture and head bow, avoiding eye contact)
• Do not photograph the monks
• Do not touch the Buddha
• Avoid pointing at Buddha images
• Do not physically put yourself higher than the Buddha
• Be respectful of those in worship

Follow these etiquette guidelines whenever you visit any Thai Temple.

That way, you’ll be a most respectful visitor.

5. DO: Research Hotels Before Choosing Where to Stay

As with all tourist hotspots, Thailand has seen significant growth in the hospitality sector.

For visitors, this is both good and bad.

There are plenty of fantastic hotels around the country, but equally as many poor ones.

Lots of people have looked to capitalize on tourism by opening up awful hostels or hotels for tourists to stay in.

My advice is to do your research before you stay anywhere, particularly if you’re looking for hotels in Chiang Mai or Bangkok.

These are the two most popular cities, which means you obviously get a lot of low-quality rentals alongside the good hotels.

As with any travel arrangements, always check multiple online reviews before you book.

Additionally, do your research to be sure you stay in a safe part of town.

Some of my favorite hotels in Thailand include:

• Millennium Hilton Bangkok
• Kantary Hotel Ayutthaya
• Shangri-La Hotel Chiang Mai
• Mora Boutique Hotel (Chiang Rai)
• Ecoloft Hotel in Phuket

Any one of those should be a good choice.

6. DON’T: Forget To Ask If You Should Take Your Shoes Off

Another one of the do’s and don’ts in Thailand has do do with (not) wearing your shoes.

This is one of those things that you wouldn’t know about unless you’ve been to Thailand before. I

n this part of the world, it’s customary to take your shoes off when entering certain places.

You’ll 100% have to do this in the temples. You’ll also do this if you’re visiting someone’s home.

It’s important to note that some shops and restaurants may also prefer that you take your shoes off before entering, too.

So, the best thing to do is to ask if you need your shoes off or not.

If you forget to do this simple gesture, you could end up in an awkward confrontation with an unhappy shop owner.

7. DON’T: Be Surprised If You Decide You Might Like to Stay

While you may have planned on visiting Thailand for a short vacation, once you get acclimated, you may find yourself longing to stay.

And you’ll be in good company.

More than 150,000 residents in Bangkok are English speaking ex-pats!

It’s with good reason.

Thailand’s miles of beaches, rich cultural landscape, delicious Thai food, and affordability make it an excellent choice for empty-nesters.

So, don’t be surprised if you’re tempted to make a more permanent move to Thailand.

Final Thoughts on Do’s and Don’ts in Thailand

If Thailand is on your bucket list or you’ve got a flight to Thailand already booked, brush up on your etiquette.

These tips will ensure that you avoid missing out or making a faux pas.

With any luck, they will help you avoid making a fool out of yourself and unintentionally disrespecting Thai culture.

And, knowing these few things will free you to fully immerse yourself in enjoying the amazing experiences of Thailand.

Were you surprised by any of these Do’s and Don’ts in Thailand? If so, which one(s)? Let us know in the comments below.