I like to think I’m a pretty cautious and attentive person. So, when I first came to Thailand, I did some homework to avoid any social faux pas. Despite my efforts, there were still some things I didn’t catch until after I arrived.
These things were certainly preventable, and I’d like to share them here so you can come to Thailand better informed than I was. Most of these mistakes are small, but stacked together, they can quietly ruin an otherwise incredible trip.
Underestimating Thai Spice
Thailand has some of the best food I’ve ever tasted so far: boat noodles, pad thai, xiao long bao, and especially spicy, crispy pork belly. However, while this food is delicious and deeply flavorful, I’ve come to learn that Thai spice exists in a category all its own.
When ordering at restaurants, I strongly recommend making a special request for less spice with your meals. There are a few different phrases you can use for this, but some that worked for me are: “mai phet” (no spice at all), “phet nit noi” (a little spicy), or “phet noi” (less spicy). Western spice terms like “medium” don’t always translate well here. You can always add spice later, but you can’t take it away.
Your mouth and your stomach will thank you. It also helps to get water with every meal,l just in case, and you’ll be all set.
Drinking Tap Water
Speaking of water, let’s talk about that. Tap water in Thailand isn’t generally recommended for visitors to drink, and it’s best to avoid it altogether. The issue isn’t necessarily the water itself, but rather the aging pipes that transport it, which can introduce unwanted particulates.
Bottled water is the norm, and restaurants use safe, filtered water for ice, so there’s no need to worry about what’s in your glass when you’re out to eat. However, when you’re at home or in your hotel room, it’s smart to keep a few bottles of water on hand. Some travelers even choose to use bottled water for brushing their teeth, especially early in their stay.
Thankfully, 7-Eleven makes this easy. You’ll always find several bottled water options, some costing as little as seven baht for a decent-sized bottle. Carrying one with you is also a good habit; Thailand’s heat and humidity can sneak up on you quickly.
Behaving at Temples
This may be one of the more obvious tips, but it bears repeating. Temples are sacred spaces in Thailand, nd and they observe specific standards for all visitors. Most temples post signs near the entrance outlining their expectations, but some guidelines are nearly universal.
Avoid exposing shoulders or legs, meaning tank tops and short shorts are out. Maintain a respectful tone when speaking, and keep noise to a minimum. It’s also best to avoid turning your back to Buddha images for photos or selfies. When in doubt, err on the side of restraint and observe how others are behaving before acting.
Ignoring Cultural Body Language Norms
Cultural norms can be subtle, so here are a few smaller but important ones to keep in mind. First, avoid touching people’s heads if you can help it. In Buddhist tradition, the head is considered sacred, and touching it even casually can be seen as disrespectful.
More generally, physical contact with strangers is uncommon, especially in public spaces like trains and metros. Thailand is a fairly collectivist society, and being mindful of the space you take up, keeping pathways clear, and making room for others is part of everyday etiquette. Watching how locals behave is often more instructive than any guidebook.
Falling for Avoidable Transportation Issues
Transportation is another area that’s easy to take for granted. Ride-hailing apps like Grab make getting around Thailand straightforward and help avoid price disputes. When using taxis or tuk-tuks, it’s wise to confirm that the meter will be used or agree on a price before starting your trip.
If you decide to rent a motorbike, be honest with yourself about your experience level. Bangkok’s streets can feel like a rushing river, and motorbikes need to move quickly and confidently just to stay safe. Without proper experience and insurance, renting a motorbike can turn from convenient to dangerous very quickly. In general, I recommend against it unless you’re already a confident rider.
Thailand’s Best Lessons
There are countless lessons to learn from Thailand, both practically and culturally. Many of them can be discovered through research in advance, but some lessons can only be taught through experience.
Hopefully, these tips will help make those lessons less painful and allow Thailand to be a teacher you’ll always want to come back to.
