Things Foreigners Must be Aware of when Visiting Thailand

Are you planning to spend a holiday in this Southeast Asian paradise? If you do, here are some things tourists like you should be aware of:

1. The wai

This particular act, where you press your palms together at chest or nose level and bowing your head slightly, is an integral part of Thai etiquette that denotes respect or expresses "hello", "thank you", or "goodbye".

2. Dress code

Do not be surprised if on a particular day here, you will notice a lot of people wearing clothes with similar colour. This custom, which is based on pre-Buddhist Hindu legends, says that a particular colour is associated with a specific day of the week. Hence, on Mondays, expect many to wear yellow to acknowledge the Thai monarch's birth and light blue on Friday to honour the Queen's birthday.

3. Sexual tolerance

Thailand has a reputation for having non-confrontational attitudes towards LGBT tourists so, if you fall under this category, pack your travel luggage and meet the world-famous and pretty krathoeys or "lady-boys" here.

4. ody gestures

The country has a large Buddhist population where many believes that the head is considered as the most valued body part and the feet as a symbolism of human suffering. So, make sure to be mindful of the following actions as you go trekking across cities and rural areas:

• It is rude to touch somebody's head.
• Raising your feet or pointing them at people or religious statues is seen as a highly offensive gesture.
• Removing footwear is a must when entering a temple or a friend's home.
• Covering up large portions of the body is a must for anybody, even backpackers, visiting local temples and shrines.

Once you have familiarised these customs, be confident as you explore the country in search of adventure and Thai cuisine.

Now, if you decide to stay in the peaceful city of Chiang Mai, book an apartment in here with our help!