The wai is the traditional Thai greeting — palms pressed together at chest level, slight bow of the head. It conveys respect, gratitude, and acknowledgment all at once. When someone wais you, wai back.

Some guidelines: The higher the hands and deeper the bow, the more respect is being shown. You don't need to wai children or service staff first — but you absolutely should wai monks, elders, and anyone who wais you first.

If your hands are full, a smile and a nod is perfectly acceptable. Thai people will understand.

Thailand is often called the Land of Smiles — and it's earned. Thai people smile frequently, including when they're uncomfortable, embarrassed, or don't know what to say. A smile doesn't always mean everything is fine. Read the room.

That said: smile back, always. It opens doors.

Thais often go by a nickname (ชื่อเล่น) which can be one syllable and completely unrelated to their formal name. When introduced, use the name offered. Adding "Khun" (คุณ) before a name is a polite honorific equivalent to Mr./Ms. — use it when in doubt.

Thai meals are communal. Dishes are ordered for the table, not individually. Don't be shy about sharing — that's the whole point. Wait until everyone is served before eating if you can.

Chopsticks: Thai cuisine is primarily eaten with a spoon and fork (spoon in dominant hand), not chopsticks. Chopsticks are for noodle dishes. Never stick chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice — it resembles funeral incense offerings.

Street food: Eat it. Don't be precious about it. Som has been eating Thai street food her whole life. The stalls that have lines are the ones worth waiting for.

Wasting food: Try to finish what you order. Wasting food is considered disrespectful — particularly in family settings.

Volume: Keep it down. Thais are generally soft-spoken in public and loud foreigners stand out in the wrong way.

Shoes: Remove them before entering homes and many small shops, especially if you see a pile of shoes at the door. When in doubt, look down.

Head and feet: The head is considered the most sacred part of the body — don't touch anyone's head. Feet are the least sacred — don't point them at people, Buddha images, or monks.

Public affection: Holding hands is fine. Kissing and more overt displays of affection in public are considered inappropriate — save it for the hotel.

BTS & MRT: Queue properly at marked spots on the platform. Let passengers exit before boarding. Give up priority seats for monks, elderly, pregnant people, and those with disabilities. This is observed seriously.

Appropriate at: street markets, night markets, independent vendors, tuk tuk fares (always negotiate before you get in).

Not appropriate at: malls, restaurants, convenience stores, anywhere with fixed price tags.

How to do it respectfully: Start around 60–70% of the asking price, be friendly and light about it, and be prepared to meet in the middle. Walking away is completely acceptable — and sometimes results in a better offer. Don't haggle aggressively over small amounts. If the difference is 20 baht, just pay it.

Tipping is not mandatory in Thailand the way it is in the US — but it is appreciated, especially for excellent service. At sit-down restaurants, 20–50 baht per person is generous. At street stalls, rounding up is plenty. For massages, 50–100 baht tip on top of the service charge is the norm. For private drivers and guides, 100–200 baht per day is appreciated.

Don't feel obligated. Do feel good when you tip someone who clearly deserves it.

Shoulders and knees must be covered to enter temples — this applies to everyone, regardless of gender. Loose trousers, maxi skirts, and lightweight cover-ups are your friends. Always carry a scarf in your bag. This is not negotiable at the gate and Som will not be bailing anyone out of temple dress code violations.

Remove them before entering any temple building. There will be a place to leave them outside the door. Slip-on shoes are a practical choice for temple days.

Speak quietly. Don't point at Buddha images. Don't climb on statues — anywhere, ever. Sit with your legs folded to the side or in front, never pointing toward a Buddha image or a monk.

Women and monks: Women must not touch monks or hand things directly to them. If you need to give something to a monk, place it on a cloth or surface first, or hand it to a man who can pass it along.

Take photos respectfully — some areas prohibit photography. When in doubt, observe what locals are doing.

Temples are active places of worship, not just tourist attractions. You may encounter monks praying, families making offerings, or people in quiet meditation. Move through these spaces as a respectful observer, not a spectator.

Do not make jokes about the royal family. Do not criticize the monarchy — publicly, privately, or on your phone. Do not share, like, or comment on content that could be construed as critical of the monarchy while you are in Thailand.

If someone raises the topic with you, the correct response is to listen politely and say nothing critical. You are a guest in this country.

At the cinema: The Royal Anthem plays before every film. Stand up. Everyone does. This is not optional.

Every Google Maps travel estimate you get in Bangkok — triple it. Bangkok traffic is genuinely terrible. Plan accordingly. This is the single most important piece of logistical advice on this page.

Always negotiate the fare before you get in — never after. Check Grab or MuvMi for a price reference so you know what's reasonable. At night near popular areas, be prepared for tourist-inflated fares. If the price seems wrong, walk away.

Som and Tyler got scammed by a tuk tuk in 2017 on their first trip to Bangkok together. It ended at a Hello Kitty Cafe so it worked out, but still.

Bangkok's elevated rail system. Fast, air-conditioned, and immune to traffic. Buy a Rabbit Card (reloadable) for convenience — single-journey tokens work too. Two lines: Sukhumvit (dark green) and Silom (light green). Connects most tourist and shopping areas.

Etiquette: Queue at the marked spots on the platform. Stand on the left on escalators, walk on the right. Give up priority seats. No eating or drinking.

Bangkok's underground metro. Connects areas the BTS doesn't reach, including the train stations and Chinatown. Buy tokens or use a stored-value card. Same etiquette as the BTS applies.

The BTS and MRT interchange at several stations — Asok/Sukhumvit and Sala Daeng/Silom being the main ones.

When arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport, take the Airport Rail Link into the city rather than a taxi or Grab. It takes approximately 30 minutes to Phaya Thai station for about 45 baht. Taxis from the airport can take 60–90+ minutes depending on traffic and cost 300–500 baht with tolls.

The train runs frequently, is clearly signposted in the airport, and is dramatically more time-reliable. From Phaya Thai you can connect to the BTS or grab a short Grab to your hotel. The only reason to take a taxi from the airport is if you have a lot of luggage and are going directly to your hotel with no connections. Even then — consider it.

If you're spending less than $1,000 USD on the trip, it's fine to just bring a card that allows international withdrawals and use ATMs when needed. Don't stress the exchange rate optimization — enjoy your trip.

For those who want to avoid ATM fees and manage spending across currencies without using credit cards, Som recommends looking into Wise or Revolut. Both offer competitive exchange rates and low or no foreign transaction fees.

Som uses travel cards and has referral codes — they'll be posted here closer to the trip. Stay tuned.

Cards: Major hotels, malls, and sit-down restaurants accept cards. Street food, markets, tuk tuks, and small vendors are cash only.

ATMs: Look for Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn (KBank), or SCB — they're the most reliable for international cards. The 220 baht fee applies at most Thai ATMs regardless of your home bank.

Counterfeit: Not a significant concern for tourists, but be aware of your change at busy markets.

If it feels off, it probably is. Thai people are warm and genuinely helpful — but unsolicited offers from strangers near tourist areas almost always have an angle.

Taxi meters: If a taxi driver refuses to run the meter, get out. There are plenty of other cabs.

Grab is your friend. The price is set before you get in, the route is tracked, and you have a record of the trip. When in doubt, open the app.

Don't look lost. Stand somewhere to the side and consult your phone rather than stopping in the middle of a sidewalk looking confused. Appearing confident reduces your exposure significantly.