Dos and Don’ts in Thailand: A Cultural Guide by a Local

In July 2026, a group of Italian teenagers became national news, faced online abuse, ended up at a police station, and paid fines. All this stemmed from just being a little too loud on public transportation.

Needless to say, knowing the ins and outs of a culture before you visit the country is quite important. This is true especially in Thailand, where you never quite get why the locals don’t put their bags on the floor or step on a temple threshold. Speaking as a Thai person, our culture is quite tricky.

I’ll walk you through the most important dos and don’ts in Thai culture, from how to act at temples to how to answer your kids when they ask to ride elephants.

I include clear cultural explanations from our side, too. So, if you’re looking for a list of cultural etiquette tips that don’t feel like mindless instructions that you have to blindly follow, I’ve got you!

The land of smiles doesn’t always smile when you offend its people. So let’s save you from that.

The Many Unspoken Cues in Thai Culture

If there is one thing Thai people hate the most, it’s confrontation, which is why you’ll barely hear anyone come up to you and go, “Excuse me, you’re not supposed to do that.”

You think silence is better than getting called out? Not here, no. Not when you get weird looks, side eyes, and whispered, inaccurate comments about you in a language you don’t understand! We don’t confront you, but we’re watching!

Have I told you I don’t cloak unpretty truths about a place? These unspoken cultural cues and judgments are suffocating, but can be avoided if you know what to do, what not to do, and why they are so. That’s what we’re going to unpack!

What to Do in Thailand

Let’s start with all the things you SHOULD be doing to blend in with the locals!

Take Your Shoes Off

This is a safe bet in any Asian culture you visit, and applies to Thailand.

When entering temples or any type of residential unit (hotel room, Airbnb, someone’s home, and some smaller local businesses), take your shoes off first.

This is a courteous gesture made to protect the place you are visiting from the dirt tracked in with your shoes. Imagine trashing someone’s home and asking the owner to clean up after you. Not taking your shoes off feels exactly like that.

For the smaller local businesses, the most common type that requires you to take your shoes off is a clinic of any kind. You’ll see other people’s shoes lined up in the front. Most clinics will have flip-flops for you to change into as well.

Use the Thai Honorifics

Every tourist I’ve talked to likes to learn at least the 2 most basic phrases to use in their destinations: Hello and thank you. So I’ll assume you will, too.

For whichever Thai phrase you learned, it’s important to end it with “Kà (ค่ะ)” if you’re a woman, and “Kráb (ครับ)” if you’re a man. These are honorific endings that turn sentences into their polite form, used with strangers and the elderly.

Although you’ll get away without it because you’re not local, speaking to strangers without the honorifics sounds very short and, in some cases, mannerless. It’s just one extra syllable. So, better err on the safe side!

For more basic instructions on using Thai on your trip, check out my list of basic Thai phrases for travel.

Explore Respectfully (With Heritage and Religious Sites)

Thailand is home to some stunning historical sites. UNESCO cities like Ayutthaya and Sukhothai showcase ruins that are sometimes over a thousand years old.

These require massive maintenance efforts, and the tourism board tries its best to leave everything untouched and original unless a wall is literally on the verge of falling. This means the ruins are very fragile.

Do not touch or climb anything unless the site staff has explicitly told you otherwise.

Certain places, mostly religious sites and temple sanctuaries, don’t allow photography. So, always check for any signs prohibiting photography before clicking the shutter. I always ask the staff just for extra safety.

The same goes for the locals. If you’d like to take a cool shot of the street vendor making his magic, ask first!

Be Careful Around Buddha Images

This point is technically three “don’ts” rolled into one. But because it requires more brain space and effort to follow, I’ll just say, “Do be careful.”

Thailand is a Buddhist country, and Buddha images are considered very sacred. So here are some of the ground rules, some are unspoken (but expected), so you won’t see any signs prohibiting you.

• Don’t point your feet in the direction of a Buddha image. This is mostly the case inside temple ordination halls. You’ll notice the locals sitting with their feet tucked behind.
• Don’t wear any clothing with a Buddha image printed on it.
• Don’t act disrespectfully around a Buddha image. Taking photos while seated or respectfully standing is always the best way to go.

Use Your Indoor Voice

Thai culture is a calm and respectful one. Unless you’re at a loud market where vendors are trying to communicate over the noise, you won’t hear many people raising their voices in public.

When in Bangkok, do as the Bangkokians do. Match your voice level to that of the locals and you’ll be just fine!

Be Careful of Animal Abuse in Businesses

I can’t stress this one enough. Always do your research if you’d like to see elephants in Thailand.

Visit ethical sanctuaries and avoid shows that exploit animals (Unfortunately, both Phuket Fantasea and Siam Niramit have live elephants go on stage in full costumes).

If you see elephants walking on the streets in the cities, don’t interact with them or the caretaker, and don’t give them money.

Leave No Trace

This goes for every other destination you visit, of course. If the shells on Koh Hong are pretty, take a picture and leave them where they are.

It costs you nothing to carry any trash you have in your hand or even the outer pocket of your bag until you find a trashcan. Although Thailand is not your home, it is home to millions of other people.

Respect Elders

The elderly in Asian cultures are generally regarded as wise and deserving of respect. The same goes in Thailand.

Avoid talking hardshly to elder individuals and strive to show more respect than usual when interacting with someone who’s clearly older than you.

What NOT to Do in Thailand

If you accidentally do one of these things, best case scenario is you’ve offended someone but they decide to turn a blind eye while quietly judging.

Worst case scenario is, well, you can apparently end up at a police station. Speaking as of July 2026.

Don’t Touch People’s Heads

In Thai culture, the head is considered the most sacred part of the body as it holds all knowledge.

Avoid touching anyone on the head, not even a child, unless both the child and their parents have permitted you to do so.

Patting someone of the same age on the head when you don’t have a close enough relationship is inconsiderate and rude. Doing so with someone older is plain disrespect.

Don’t Shout on Public Transportation

As soon as you enter a train, stay quiet for a minute and you’ll notice very quickly how quiet everyone is.

It’s very important that you do the same, doom scroll on your phones like the locals or put your headphones on and just enjoy the ride. Sky trains and subway cars are closed spaces, and voices get overwhelmingly loud very quickly.

The locals usually don’t confront anyone about the noise (unless you’re as unlucky as the Italian kids), but they are quietly judging anyone shouting, and their parents. I promise. Don’t let it be you.

Don’t Raise Your Feet or Point Them at People

Coming as a cultural package deal with the head are the feet. They’re considered the lowest part of the body, so don’t put them anywhere close to someone else’s upper body.

Keep them strictly below the knee level in public. Yes, this does rule out putting your feet on the table anywhere. If they’re above the knee level, they could be pointing in the direction of someone’s face. Don’t do that.

Don’t Step on Thresholds

This one is an older belief, so not all younger locals will strictly adhere to it depending on what they’ve been told. I still do it because why not?

In Thai culture, it’s believed that spirits and deities live on the thresholds. If you step on it when entering or exiting a doorway, you will upset them. They won’t harm you or anything, but that could disturb the level of protection the place receives.

Don’t Step Over People’s Belongings or Food

This is related to the feet idea. If the feet are considered lowly, why would you want to fly them over someone’s body, belongings, or food?

Here’s a strange one for foreigners: Stepping over a bag that’s on the floor can also feel very wrong and awkward for a Thai person. This is because, as children, we were taught that bags held our books and knowledge, and you can’t step on or over them.

If you care to notice on your trip, you will never see the locals put their bags on the floor at restaurants. They either keep them on their laps or on the chair next to them.

But just in case you run into one on the floor, be careful!

Don’t Show Knees and Shoulders in Temples

“Dress modestly” might not mean the same to everyone on this planet.

When visiting temples, keeping this particular tip in mind will greatly help you choose a safe outfit to wear. Keeping your knees and shoulders covered is the basic idea that’ll get you into most temples around the country.

However, some temples are stricter than others. Wearing shoes that cover or wrap around your ankles is another layer of safety. Wearing a sleeved top instead of just covering your shoulders with a scarf is also a great idea.

Don’t Touch the Monks

This applies more seriously to women than to men, but as a general rule of thumb, refrain from touching a monk regardless of gender.

They’re living a life free from worldly possessions and attachments, which includes most normal human relationships, especially romantic ones.

Don’t Ride the Elephants. Ever.

I don’t care if your child is writhing on the floor begging to ride elephants tomorrow. Please say no and explain to them why they shouldn’t.

An elephant’s back, unlike that of a horse, is round, with their spine arched upward. Putting flat seats and securing them on top is extremely painful for them and will damage their spine over time. No matter how you try to put it, it is animal abuse, plain and simple.

It’s astounding and infuriating to me why there are still tourists taking their children on elephant rides. Some of the locals are not ethical, so they will keep these businesses running regardless of animal rights.

Because most tourists come from better education systems, I expect them to know better than to give these unethical sanctuaries any business.

My Favorite Spots Around Thailand

It never hurts to hear what a local likes to do in their own country, right? Even as a local, I find Thailand extremely fun, full of cultural heritage and amazing food. Here are some of my favorite things to do.

I’ll forever be mesmerized by Wat Phra Kaew, the kingdom’s royal chapel and possibly the most ornate Buddhist temple I’ve ever seen in my life. Right next door is Wat Pho, known for the reclining Buddha, but also the birthplace of Thai Massage, and where you can get one!

My mom and I also really enjoyed this Tuk-Tuk food tour. Even as locals, we were starstruck.

Another cultural hub is Chiang Mai, the city where you can temple hop AND cafe hop. Five-hour drive away from it is Nan Province, Thai people’s favorite slow-life destination.

For more ideas, check my Thailand Immersive Travel page.

Helpful Travel Tips for Thailand

All visitors need to fill out a Digital Arrival Card no longer than 3 days before their trip to Thailand. And if applicable, a visa.

• Make sure you protect your trip with a travel insurance.
• Get this eSIM for local data without giving up your number.
• Must-have Apps: Grab, Papago AI Translator, Google Maps

Tourists have been doing fine communicating in English in Thailand, but if you want to be extra courteous, then learn some local phrases before arriving .

Don’t forget to always have cash on hand. The smaller the notes, the better!

Grab My Thailand E-Checklist

To make sure you don’t leave anything important out of your preparations, I’ve made a digital checklist to help you get ready. I leave 2 pages blank for you to customize your own checklist, too!

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