If you are travelling to Bangkok, Thailand, taking the time to learn about the culture is very important and appreciated by the locals. By watching this video, you are on the right track to understanding Thai Culture!
We are here to give you the most important Do’s and don’ts in Thailand.
In this video we explain you 10 do's and don'ts for when you are visiting Thailand! These cultural tips will get you started when you just arrive in Thailand or your trip to Asia.
by Co van Kessel Bangkok Tours. www.covankessel.com
* Looking for an authentic and unique adventure? Co van Kessel bike tours and boat tours provides a refreshing alternative to the tired tourist experience. We do not battle the crowds at clichéd destinations promoted in guide books, but turn your attention to quaint local communities and charming excursions into the fascinating lifestyle and culture of real Thai people. Every day is different and every tour is a surprise as we focus not on destinations, but lose ourselves in the enchantment of the journey itself.
Co van Kessel, an innovative and adventurous Dutchman, pioneered bicycle tours in Bangkok more than 30 years ago. As a longtime resident and self-professed lover of Bangkok, he understood very well the picture of accelerated urban development (gridlocked traffic, concrete towers, and choking pollution) that has plagued the recent image of the city. He also had a hunch that this was not what Bangkok or Thailand was all about.
Making it his goal to re-discover Bangkok, Co spent thousands of hours on his mountain bike exploring the vast network of local streets, alleyways, footpaths and canals between the main urban thoroughfares. What he found, lurking behind the facade of modernization, were hidden worlds of peace and tranquility, a picture of “real” Thai life that has remained unchanged for countless decades; an identity of a city that is true to the Thai people, yet largely unknown to outsiders.
Whether it’s the colorful sights and smells of the local markets, the fascinating life of locals along the canals, or the surprising existence of bountiful green belts, Co discovered the essence of what makes Bangkok one of Asia’s most captivating cities. Since then, it has been his mission to share these discoveries with the rest of the world.
What we do
Our mission at Co van Kessel Bangkok Tours is to provide our guests with a singularly unique travel experience in Thailand. All our tours use Co’s extensive topographical knowledge of the greater Bangkok area as well as his keen eye for the interesting to take you where nobody else can or will.
We aim not to bore you with talk, but to immerse you in an experience where your individual fascinations emerge.
Bicycles, boats, and our feet become the tools we use to gain access to the previously inaccessible, behind-the-scenes lifestyle of the Thai. Here the roots of an ancient culture will become evident in a way you never could have imagined.
If you are travelling to Thailand, learning about the culture is not only very important
but also appreciated by locals.
By watching this video, you are on the right track to understanding Thai culture.
We are here to give you the most important do's and don'ts in Thailand.
Hi, my name is Anne.
I work for Kovan Castle Bangkok Tours.
We are the original bicycle tour here in Bangkok and we have been operating for over 30 years
now.
And that's why we like to share our insights with you.
The first thing you will probably see when you arrive in Thailand is the Wai.
This is a traditional Thai greeting or a way to show respect.
There are three different types of Wais.
This is the first one.
Put your hands together and your thumbs touch your chin.
This one is used for greeting colleagues or friends.
This is the second one.
The thumbs touch your nose.
This one is used to greet older people.
And the last one, the thumbs touch your forehead.
This one is used for the highest level of respect, for the Buddha, monk or the king.
If you are not sure which one to use, you can use this one as a general greeting.
Thai people use this one when they are not sure if someone is older or younger than them.
You will often receive a Wai from shops and restaurants.
It is not necessary to return the Wai for someone who is providing you a service.
Instead, a nice, grateful smile is plenty enough.
Don't worry if you are not getting it right, because your efforts will be appreciated.
Probably the most important don't in Thai culture has to do with the feet.
The feet are considered the lowest and dirtiest part of the body.
Raising your feet higher than someone's head or just simply putting your feet onto a desk
or a chair is considered extremely rude.
Never ever show the bottom of your feet to anyone.
It's equivalent of giving someone the middle finger.
Also avoid pointing your feet at Buddhas.
While the feet are considered the lowest part of the body, the head is the most sacred.
Never touch someone's hair or head.
That also includes ruffling a child's hair.
Try to avoid stepping over someone who is sleeping on the ground.
Make sure to dress properly when you visit Thai temples.
Knees and shoulders should be covered for both sexes.
The more formal your clothes, the better.
Also, Thai people don't like it when you show too much affection in public.
This is also not done in temples.
Try to avoid kissing and hugging, but of course holding hands is okay.
Thai remove their shoes when they enter homes and temples.
When you're entering homes, temples or even some bathrooms and restaurants,
they will ask you to take off your shoes and walk around barefoot or with slippers.
So be aware if you have to take off your shoes or it's okay to leave them on.
The bell outside the door is your biggest clue.
Don't point.
Pointing is considered rude in many cultures, particularly so in Thailand.
When you want to point at something, just use your hand like this.
Throwing an object or money into someone's direction is rude and not polite.
Try to take time to hand things over properly, especially to older people.
Don't raise your voice.
Try to keep your voice down in shops and in restaurants.
If you find yourself in an argument, don't raise your voice, don't yell.
It won't help the situation and it also causes people involved to become embarrassed and lose face.
Losing face is very important in Thailand.
When you lose face, your reputation is lost and you embarrass yourself and the rest of the people.
Do treat monks with the highest respect.
Women are not allowed to touch a monk, so be careful when you're near one.
Also, give a monk plenty of space to move around.
And when you pass a monk, lower your body.
Taking pictures are typically allowed in Thailand, unless there's a sign that says you shouldn't.
So it's no problem to take a picture, but be respectful.
And also, Buddha images are not for decoration and not for tattoos.
And the last one, don't forget to smile.
Thailand is also known as the land of smiles, so try to smile as much as possible.
And you will notice that your experience will be even more enjoyable.
If you are looking for a unique and authentic adventure and want to learn more about the culture,
come book a tour at Covent Castle Bangkok Tours.
We are the number one outdoor activity on TripAdvisor.
Thank you for watching our video.
We hope you learned something new about Thailand.
If you are traveling to Bangkok, click here to see our complete transportation guide.
Click here to know more about us.
And click here to visit our website.
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Thank you, bye!
