Living here
Language, manners and everyday etiquette
A little Thai and a feel for the customs that smooth daily life.
4 min read · Reviewed October 2026
In short
- Numbers, greetings and how to say not spicy cover most everyday situations.
- Thai is a tonal language, so a class or tutor beats an app in the first month.
- Calm, smiling persistence gets things done here far more reliably than raised voices.
Learning the basics
Numbers, greetings, please and thank you, and a few phrases for food and directions pay for themselves within a week. Thai is tonal, which means the same syllable can mean several different things, so hearing a native speaker matters more than reading a phrasebook in the first weeks.
The wai and personal space
The wai is a greeting, and visitors are not required to use it in return, although a smile and a nod is always welcome. The head is considered the highest part of the body and the feet the lowest, so avoid touching anyone’s head and avoid pointing with your feet. Shoes come off in homes and temples.
Places that call for care
- Temples: cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes, and treat Buddha images as objects of respect rather than photograph backdrops.
- The monarchy: the subject is protected by strict law, so treat it with care and avoid casual comment.
- Alcohol, medication and import rules are stricter than newcomers expect. Check before you carry anything in.
Tone and face
Patience and a smile generally achieve more here than pressure. Losing your temper in public, particularly in front of someone else’s staff or family, costs goodwill that is hard to recover, while a calm second visit or a politely restated request usually resolves things.