Reviewed by Wichuda Atthamethakon, LL.M., Thai Bar Licence 3149/2556, for ThaiLawOnline, a Thai law firm acting for foreigners since 2006.
Update log
- 4 November 2026: Added the statute box with Thai, English and French text and checked the page against the official text
Most everyday interactions in Thailand go better when you observe the setting, speak calmly and ask when unsure. You do not need to perform every custom perfectly. A brief apology and a willingness to adjust are usually more useful than a long explanation.
Practices vary between families, workplaces, generations and regions. Treat the guidance below as help with particular situations, rather than a description of how every Thai person thinks.
Table of Contents
Greetings and the wai
The wai, with palms together and a slight lowering of the head, is used for greetings and expressions of respect. Context matters. Watch how the people around you greet one another rather than trying to use the same gesture with everyone.
In a casual transaction, a polite greeting and acknowledgement are often enough. If someone offers a handshake, respond naturally. Avoid making an elaborate wai a performance or stopping a person who is busy simply to return the gesture.
Learn a few phrases you will use
Start with hello, thank you, excuse me, numbers and your address. “Sawatdi” is a common greeting, “khop khun” means thank you, and “kho thot” is useful for an apology or getting someone’s attention. English spellings only approximate the Thai sounds; listening and practising with a speaker will help more than memorising romanisation.
Polite particles such as “khrap” and “kha” depend on the speaker and context. Ask a teacher or trusted Thai speaker how to use them naturally. You do not need to add them mechanically to every sentence.
For a delivery, taxi journey or appointment, keep the address in Thai. For a contract, medical decision or legal matter, arrange competent language assistance. A translation app is useful for an ordinary exchange, but a mistranslated obligation has consequences.
At temples and sacred sites
Dress modestly and follow the site’s posted rules. Cover shoulders and knees where required, remove shoes at the designated entrance, and keep your phone quiet. Some sites impose stricter clothing requirements than others.
Leave room for people praying. Ask before photographing an individual and observe any restrictions on photography. Do not climb on, handle or use Buddha images as props.
When seated near a Buddha image, keep your feet directed away from the image. Avoid physical contact with monks and follow the local arrangement for passing an item. A member of staff or worshipper will often show you where to stand or place something.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s temple guidance explains common expectations. Instructions at the particular site take priority over assumptions drawn from another temple.
The law behind this page
English
Section 206Amended on 21 March 2017
This section criminalizes acts against an object or place venerated by a religious community where the act amounts to an insult to that religion. The penalty is imprisonment of one to seven years, or a fine of 20,000 to 140,000 baht, or both.
Full text
Whoever commits any act against an object or place held in religious veneration by any group of people, in a manner that insults that religion, shall be liable to imprisonment from one year to seven years, or a fine from twenty thousand baht to one hundred and forty thousand baht, or both.
ThaiLawOnline translation
Section 207
Causing a disturbance at a lawful religious assembly, during worship or a religious ceremony, carries up to one year, or a fine of up to 20,000 baht, or both. It protects any religion, not one in particular.
Full text
Whoever causes a disturbance at an assembly of believers of any religion while they are lawfully assembled for worship or for the performance of a religious ceremony shall be liable to imprisonment not exceeding one year, or a fine not exceeding twenty thousand baht, or both.
ThaiLawOnline translation
ไทย
มาตรา 206แก้ไขเมื่อ 21 มีนาคม 2560
ข้อความเต็ม
ผู้ใดกระทำด้วยประการใด ๆ แก่วัตถุหรือสถานอันเป็นที่เคารพในทางศาสนาของหมู่ชนใด อันเป็นการเหยียดหยามศาสนานั้น ต้องระวางโทษจำคุกตั้งแต่หนึ่งปีถึงเจ็ดปี หรือปรับตั้งแต่สองหมื่นบาทถึงหนึ่งแสนสี่หมื่นบาท หรือทั้งจำทั้งปรับ หมายเหตุ: [อัตราโทษ แก้ไขเพิ่มเติมโดยมาตรา ๕ แห่งพระราชบัญญัติแก้ไขเพิ่มเติมประมวลกฎหมายอาญา (ฉบับที่ ๒๖) พ.ศ. ๒๕๖๐]
ตรงตามข้อความในราชกิจจานุเบกษา / สำนักงานคณะกรรมการกฤษฎีกา (Verbatim from the Royal Gazette / Office of the Council of State)
มาตรา 207
ข้อความเต็ม
ผู้ใดก่อให้เกิดการวุ่นวายขึ้นในที่ประชุมศาสนิกชนเวลาประชุมกัน นมัสการ หรือกระทำพิธีกรรมตามศาสนาใด ๆ โดยชอบด้วยกฎหมาย ต้องระวางโทษจำคุกไม่เกินหนึ่งปี หรือปรับไม่เกินสองหมื่นบาท หรือทั้งจำทั้งปรับ หมายเหตุ: [อัตราโทษ แก้ไขเพิ่มเติมโดยมาตรา ๔ แห่งพระราชบัญญัติแก้ไขเพิ่มเติมประมวลกฎหมายอาญา (ฉบับที่ ๒๖) พ.ศ. ๒๕๖๐]
ตรงตามข้อความในราชกิจจานุเบกษา / สำนักงานคณะกรรมการกฤษฎีกา (Verbatim from the Royal Gazette / Office of the Council of State)
Français
Article 206Modifié le 21 mars 2017
Quiconque commet, de quelque manière que ce soit, un acte envers un objet ou un lieu vénéré sur le plan religieux par un groupe de personnes, de nature à outrager cette religion, est puni d'un emprisonnement d'un an à sept ans, ou d'une amende de vingt mille à cent quarante mille bahts, ou des deux peines.
résumé non officiel
Article 207
Quiconque provoque un trouble dans une assemblée de fidèles pendant qu'elle se réunit, pratique le culte ou accomplit les rites de quelque religion que ce soit, lorsque cette réunion, ce culte ou ces rites se déroulent légalement, est puni d'un emprisonnement d'un an au plus, ou d'une amende de vingt mille bahts au plus, ou des deux peines.
résumé non officiel
Sources
- Penal Code, Office of the Council of State, retrieved 31 October 2026
In homes, shops and shared spaces
Look for shoes left outside and ask whether to remove yours. Do not put feet on furniture used by others or point at people with your feet. Avoid touching someone’s head without permission, including a child you do not know.
Keep noise suited to the setting. A lively restaurant and a condominium corridor are different places. Follow the building’s rules about guests, rubbish, smoking and shared facilities rather than assuming a holiday routine will suit long-term neighbours.
At a shared meal, follow the host’s arrangement and use serving utensils where provided. Ask about unfamiliar food or dietary needs clearly. There is no need to turn an ordinary meal into a test of etiquette.
Disagreements and complaints
State the problem, show the relevant receipt or document, and explain the result you are asking for. Raising your voice or humiliating an employee makes resolution harder. If the person lacks authority, ask who is able to decide.
A calm manner does not require accepting an unfair charge or signing a document you do not understand. Ask for the amount, reason and proposed next step in writing. In a serious dispute, preserve the evidence and move the discussion to the appropriate process.
Do not interpret a smile, silence or a polite answer as agreement. Confirm the practical point: the price, date, task or responsibility. This is useful in any country and particularly helpful when people are communicating in a second language.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to perform every Thai custom perfectly?
No. Observe the setting, speak calmly and ask when unsure. A brief apology and a willingness to adjust are usually more useful than a long explanation.
How should I dress at a temple?
Dress modestly and follow the site’s posted rules. Cover shoulders and knees where required, remove shoes at the designated entrance and keep your phone quiet. Some sites impose stricter clothing requirements than others.
How should I behave near a Buddha image or a monk?
When seated, keep your feet directed away from the image, and do not climb on, handle or use Buddha images as props. Avoid physical contact with monks and follow the local arrangement for passing an item.
Can I rely on a translation app for a contract?
No. A translation app is useful for an ordinary exchange, but for a contract, medical decision or legal matter you should arrange competent language assistance. A mistranslated obligation has consequences.
Give yourself time to settle
Choose a manageable routine before trying to solve every difference at once. Learn the route to the shops and hospital, practise the language you need daily, and build relationships beyond service transactions.
If something goes wrong, separate the individual problem from a judgment about the country. One difficult landlord or confusing appointment does not explain everyone else. Ask someone familiar with the situation what you missed, then decide whether to adapt, complain or choose a different provider.
For the practical side of a first move, use our first-time expat guide. For a longer stay, our immigration overview explains the available routes and the questions to resolve.
Last reviewed: 22 September 2026. Read end to end. This is a practical guide to everyday customs and makes no statement of law beyond the advice to use competent language assistance for contracts, medical decisions and legal matters. Its links were tested, including the Tourism Authority of Thailand temple guidance.
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