Thai Culture
One of the most distinctive Thai customs is the wai, a prayer-like gesture with the hands and a bow of the head. This shows greeting, farewell, or acknowledgment.
Physical demonstrations of affection in public are common between friends, but less so between couples. It is common to see friends walking together holding hands, but couples rarely do so except in westernized areas. Any display of strong emotions in public, especially loud speaking or noisy arguing, is very disrespectful.
Thai people consider the foot to be the dirtiest part of the body, and the head the most respected part of the body. Touching someone on the head may be considered rude, as is placing one's feet at a level above someone else's head, especially if that person is of higher social standing. This also influences how Thais sit when on the ground -- their feet always pointing away from others, tucked to the side or behind them. Pointing at or touching something with the feet is also considered rude. It is also considered extremely rude to step on a Thai coin, because the king's head appears on the coin.
It is also customary to remove one's footwear before entering a home, and not to step on the threshold.
Important holidays in Thai culture include Thai New Year, or Songkran, which officially observed from April 13 to 15 each year, the hottest season in Thailand. Celebrations feature water throwing with the use of hoses, barrels, squirt guns, high-pressure tubes and even powder.
Normally, Thai restaurants give a spoon and fork for the main meal, and a short spoon with a small bowl used for soups. No knives are used. Chopsticks are served when ordering noodle dishes.
Thais show respect to their elders and refer to older people as Pii, meaning older brother or sister. A reference to someone younger is Nong. This is also an appropriate way to address restaurant staff and others in public service, rather than waiter or waitress.
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