Much of Thailand has a laidback feel to it, and thousands of travellers enjoy going there on a gap year every year. However, that doesn't mean the Thais don't have strong feelings about their cultural differences, and taking a few cultural tips for Thailand will get you a better reception. Have a look at the cultural tips below - we've focused on cultural tips for Thailand but if you apply them in the rest of South East Asia, you won't go far wrong.
Number 1 of our cultural tips for Thailand - respect their religion One of the best cultural tips we can give you for Thailand, and Asia in general, is to respect their religious buildings and icons. Dress-related cultural tips for Thailand apply particularly when visiting temples - more is definitely more. When you're inside, or indeed outside, don't disrespect anything of religious significance - i.e. don't clamber over statues and don't photograph them.
Number 2 of our cultural tips for Thailand - keep it modest However much you love your new shorts or mini skirt, most Thais won't.
Our tip is to keep them for the beaches, but take light, longer sleeved tops and trousers for the towns and particularly rural villages. As a minimum, cover your shoulders and legs down to your knees and don't flaunt your midriff. You could tie a sarong around you - or go clothes shopping - as cultural tips for Thailand go, that's a nice one to practise!
Number 3 of our cultural tips for Thailand - no shoes, please The ‘cover up' cultural tips don't apply to your feet. Cultural differences in Thailand mean that you should be ready to take off your shoes when entering temples, pagodas (another place of worship) and people's homes.
Number 4 of our cultural tips for Thailand - save your royal jokes Royalty are right up there with religious icons in Thailand. It's a criminal offence to insult or joke about the King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit, or to damage any images of them. Tempted to stamp on a coin to stop it rolling away? DON'T! It amounts to kicking the king in the head! That applies to bank notes too, and to licking stamps.
Other cultural differences in Thailand mean stopping and standing with your arms at your side whenever you hear the national anthem being played. (This might be one of the more useful cultural tips for Thailand, as many towns play the anthem daily over public address systems.)
Number 5 of our cultural tips for Thailand - watch your feet
In Thailand, the head is sacred and the feet are the ‘dirtiest' part of you. Your mum might have told you to take your feet off the chair, but in Thailand, it's much more of an offence to put your feet up or point them at anyone, including religious icons. If you're travelling on a train or bus and need to stand on a seat to retrieve your luggage, take your shoes off. And leave time to get them back on again before your stop!
Number 6 of our cultural tips for Thailand - mind the monks Monks are held in almost as high a regard as royalty, and are forbidden to touch women. Hence, if you're female, try your best not to bump into them or brush against their robes.
Take a look at our gap year programmes in Thailand and experience its culture for yourself!
17 trips have been found based on your filter/sort
Learn about the Thai culture, food and people on this unforgettable introduction of Thailand. Enjoy temples, markets, cooking lessons and tours and take part in a variety of volunteer projects or enjoy trekking in the hills of Sangkhlaburi. Spend your last week relaxing on the beautiful island of Koh Pha Ngan.
Help us really make a difference by assisting with this great building project, part of our long term sustainable development projects. We are fully funding these projects to benefit local the community in one of the poorest areas of Thailand. We really need your help to make this happen, so come and join our dedicated team!
Choose a diving programme to suit you and learn or hone your skills in Thailand’s beautiful blue waters. Take the instructor programme and gain the necessary qualifications to work in a scuba diving centre.
Get involved in this worthwhile volunteer programme and help develop the resources that Thai school children will be able to benefit from in the future.
Get involved with innovative and highly successful work to enrich the lives of the resident rescued gibbons. Study them, help care for them on a daily basis and just enjoy watching them interact against a stunning natural background.
Help plant crops to feed the elephants of the province, enjoy giving them a wash down at the river and offer support to the local communities on this exciting programme in Surin.
Help support the rural people of Thailand by providing medical care and assistance. As well as assisting existing medical services you will be offering support to the most needy.
Dive around Koh Tao, develop your media skills and earn money! You’ll be taught to record, edit and produce DVDs of the dive centre’s customers, and then to sell them to the customers.
Help with the day-to-day care of sick and disabled wild animals. You might be preparing food for bears, crocodiles, big cats or other animals, or assisting with building enclosures!
Covering Thailand, China, Malaysia, Africa and Australia, this really is the ultimate wildlife experience! Lend a hand with vital conservation work across the globe and get up close to a variety of animals! Zimbabwe - Thailand - China - Malaysia - Australia - USA
Ideal for animal lovers who want to make a difference while they traverse the globe, this adventure packed conservation gap year will take you from the tropics of Thailand to the beaches of Florida! Thailand - Australia - USA
Make your round the world trip one to remember, visit the world’s most incredible countries including India, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and the USA on a intrepid voyage of cultural and adventurous discovery! India – Thailand - Australia – New Zealand – Fiji – USA
Combine paid work, volunteering and travelling into one fantastic gap year. Take the hassle out of the planning and set off on an adrenalin packed and worthwhile experience through South Africa, Australia and Thailand! South Africa - Australia - Thailand
Experience three very beautiful countries, make a significant contribution to volunteer projects and earn some cash as you go! You can live and work alongside the locals in Australia and New Zealand, and discover the real Thailand! Thailand - Australia - New Zealand
Discover the range of culture, wildlife and amazing landscapes of Asia on your South East Asia gap year! Volunteer in India, spend up to eight weeks exploring Thailand and tour the most famous sights of Vietnam! India - Thailand – Vietnam.
