Chiang Mai, Thailand Travel Tips

Title: Essential Travel and Cultural Etiquettes for Tourists in Chiang Mai, Thailand

  1. Respect the Royal Family

    • Thailand holds the King in the highest esteem. Always avoid any criticism or negative comments about the Royal Family, as it’s considered highly disrespectful.

  2. Dress Appropriately

    • When visiting temples or royal palaces, dress modestly to show respect. Avoid wearing shorts, short skirts, sleeveless tops, and revealing clothing. Men should wear long pants and women should wear long skirts that cover the knees.

  3. Remove Shoes at Temples

    • You will be required to remove your shoes before entering temples. In some cases, you may also need to remove your socks. Ensure your feet are clean to show respect.

  4. Avoid Touching Buddha Images or Pointing Feet

    • Never touch a Buddha image with your back turned towards it. This is considered extremely disrespectful. Also, avoid pointing your feet at Buddha images or temple structures.

  5. Use Right Hand for Giving and Receiving

    • The right hand is used for giving and receiving items as the left hand is considered unclean in Thai culture. If you have something in your left hand, use your right to cover it before offering or accepting anything.

  6. Greet with a Wai

    • A common greeting in Thailand is the “Wai,” which involves pressing palms together in a prayer-like gesture and bowing the head slightly. This shows respect to elders, monks, or people in positions of authority.

  7. Avoid Public Displays of Affection

    • Although Thailand is relatively liberal compared to other Asian countries, public displays of affection are generally frowned upon.

  8. Learn Basic Thai Phrases

    • Showing an effort to learn and speak some basic Thai phrases will be greatly appreciated by the locals and can help avoid misunderstandings.

  9. Bargain Politely

    • In markets and shops, bargaining is expected but should be done politely and without aggression.

  10. Understand Monk Culture

    • If you are lucky enough to visit Chiang Mai during the monk season (July-March), remember to dress modestly when visiting temples or giving offerings, and never approach a monk after 11 AM as they must observe silence from then until noon.