Thailand: good to know
The general-information half of trip planning: how expensive Thailand feels, what is considered polite, what is not, and the everyday practicalities - alongside our 410 written places.
Sanuk - the sense that things should be fun - runs deep; anger loses face instantly.
✓ Considered polite
- Return a wai greeting with a smile - hands together, slight bow
- Dress modestly at temples: covered shoulders and knees, shoes off
- Stand still for the royal anthem in cinemas and public spaces
- Smile through problems - calm patience solves what shouting never will
✗ Better avoided
- Touch anyone's head or point feet at people or Buddha images
- Disrespect the monarchy in any form - it is a serious criminal offence
- Raise your voice - losing your temper means losing the argument
- Ride elephants or visit shows - choose observation-only sanctuaries
Worth knowing
- Cash is still king at markets and street food; cards work in malls and hotels
- Tipping is not traditional - rounding up or 20-50 baht is appreciated
- 7-Elevens are everywhere and solve most small problems
- Songkran in April is a nationwide water fight - electronics in dry bags
Plugs and voltage: Wikipedia, «Mains electricity by country» (after the IEC World Plugs list), read 15 October 2026.
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Keep planning
Customs are living things - regions differ, cities relax, generations shift. Take these notes as a friendly head start, watch what locals do, and when in doubt a smile and a greeting in the local language cover almost everything.