By and large, Thai culture is deeply rooted in historical and religious traditions of the Thai people, and it has a profound influence on the way of kingdom's life. Thai cultural habits are distinctly differ from those accepted in the West.

Firstly, have to mention that Thais welcome each other by a salutation known as wai (see the animation), rather than by shaking hands as westerners do. Thais call that gesture of bowing sawadee. It is one of the most distinctive Thai customs, and this is one of the first things they teach their kids. It makes Thai parents very proud to see their little children bowing.

All greetings, such as Hi, Hello, How Are You, Welcome, Good Morning and so forth, as well as Good Bye and See You Later, are also called sawadee in Thai. To distinguish between men and women, Thai language uses gender markers. Further info on Thai language and its distinct aspects is found at the page entitled Thailand Overview - General Info.

Thai Hospitality

Hospitality is the essence of Thai people's nature and while greeting guests into their houses or offices, first off, they cater guests with a glass of water. Likewise in the restaurants, first, you'll be served up cold water no matter you haven't order anything yet. Prior to entering a Thai house, make sure to take off your shoes. The same is true in Buddhist temples and in traditional Thai restaurants where guests are seated on the floor. Appropriate to mention that it's quite natural for Thai folks to sit whether squatted or right on the floor, rather than on chairs. In most households, the floor is also used as a dining table. Most houses don't have beds either, just the mattresses. Traditionally, rich Thai families has got large in size and short tables made of teakwood, used to serve the food and while eating, to sit on.

Thai Food and Table Manners

Thailand ain't just the Land of Smiles, at the same time it is every bit the Land of Gourmet Food as well. Thai table manners and a way the dishes are prepared and served, have its own distinct course. Normally, in Thai food restraurants one will be given a spoon and fork for the main meal, and a short spoon with small bowl used for soups. No knifes, since the Thai food is whether already cut down into small enough pieces, or could be easily sliced by spoon. The idea is to eat with a spoon in your right hand and a fork in your left to help push foods onto the spoon. Chopsticks are served when ordering noodle dishes. Naturally, one will be given a knife and fork when ordered steaks or similar western food dishes.

Thai Gourmet Dishes To-Die-For

Needless to mention that fragrant rice is the basic ingredient in Thai-style dining. It's prepared as Thai classic steamed rice called khao soway, and served right on a plate or in small bowls from which you put it into your plate. Except deserts, all other dishes are served in no particular order, just as soon as they ready, and are eaten all together as well. Typical Thai dinner consists of several dishes placed and occasionally even cooked (fondue style) right on the table, and are tucked in by taking small portions from selected dishes simultaneously and topping the rice in your plate. Thai herbs, aromatic spices, chili oils and numerous sauces are always at hand. As drinks, aside from the ice water, Thais opt for some light beer, or an occasional glass or two of whiskey-rocks-soda, rather than wines.

To further elaborate upon Thai habits, Thais like to add spice not only into the food they eat, they equally enjoy to add spice and excitement to everything they do, even in simple daily routine activities.

Delicious Thai Food Dinner

Thai Peculiar Ways

Thais respect the elders and referring with regard to the older common people as pee, meaning the older brother or sister. It's also customary to call the youngsters as nong, meaning the younger brother or sister. And while in restaurants or similar places, a polite and more approprite way to address the staff is either as pee or nong, rather than a waiter or waitress.

All Thais have the nicknames, which are used in informal, casual contacts. In contrast to the real names, which are quite long and hard to pronounce, Thai nicknames by and large made up of single syllable sounds: Lek, Nid, Na, Su, Sak, Som, Boon, Mem, Tae, Ae, Gai, Goong, Pook, Moo and so forth. Some of these are kinda hilarious, for instance, Moo means Pig, yet no offence is intended or taken.

One will not see Thai couples hugging, embracing, kissing, or any other acts of explicit affection on streets or in public places. It is unacceptable by the norms of Thai society. And for that matter, any display of strong emotions in public, especially when inhered in loud speaking or noisy arguing, is considered as disrespectful.

Rules and Exceptions

Modern Thailand is indeed an open and forward-looking society embracing almost everything that comes its way, even an advent of casual sex. Still, Thai folks are rather conservative in regards to the Thai women's behavior and dress. The well-favored female bodies might not be flaunt, and the dress fashion should vacate all foreplay matters to the imagination. As far as the dress code is concerned, vast majority of female office staff fancy to wear stockings regardless of hot weather. As a behavioral trait, the long-standing tradition of kowtowing is still customary among Thai girls. While passing nearby a respectful man, Thai woman bending her knees and bow in a servile manner. For further info on Thai girls as well as the assortment of photos of stunning Thai models, refer to the page entitled Thai Ladies.

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Thai Classical Dancer

All mentioned above is certainly contradict the conduct of the bar-girls working in a sex industry, tourists often come across. To endue yourself to behave with finesse in delicate situations, refer to the page entitled Nightlife, Tough Ladies and More... for some comments on that quite overblown issue. It's worthy of notice that in regard to the matters of marriage in Thailand, according to the Thai law the age of consent is 15. Click on the following link for further info on social, religious, and spiritual issues, as well as legal aspects related to Marriage in Thailand.

Thai shopping habits are fundamentally differ from the western ones. Bargaining down ain't only customary in Thailand, it is in the very nature of Thai folks. Since most shops and hawker stands don't show price tags, one must ask 'How much?'. As a music to vendors' years, this question starts the sell's gambit. First, vendors look at you to assess your interest in purchase and generosity. Then, to hook you up they enter an opening price into a calculator. While attentively keeping an eye on your reactions, they tempt you to type into a calculator the price you want to pay... Beware, Thai traders are skilled professionals in striking a bargain. Also, try to be nice and smile while you're haggling, as it is a part of the fun.

TUK-TUK

Click on the above picture to take a virtual ride on Thai Tuk-Tuk in Bangkok (9 sec. 827 KB) MPEG movie. Click me for instructions. You will find more movie clips dispersed all over www.th4u.com.

The same is true with drivers, though recently introduced taxi-meters have fixed prices, yet occasionally, the meter "gets broken". In any case, one should tell a driver, or better show a card of the place to go (that's why always keep your hotel card). Normally, they would reply with a few fingers, indicating a starting price: five fingers – 50 Baht. After agreeing on price, one should pay a driver just after arrival to the destination. Since enormous traffic problems, taxi prices in Bangkok depend not just on distance, but rather on time, estimated by driver, it will take to arrive. So, don't be surprised by lesser rates at night. As a sound indication of modestness of taxi prices, to show a price, drivers normally use just two hands (equal to $3 or so), with the only exception of Airport taxis.
Since a huge number of taxis, tuk-tuks and motorbikes, which are handy day-and-night, it is typical that drivers are out chasing after passengers, those walking or standing near by roads.

To be continued...