Thai customs and useful phrases
Thai customs cover greetings, dress at temples, the monarchy, holidays and a few phrases to learn first.
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Last checked 30 September 2026
Updated 30 September 2026
Quick answers
- Do I have to wai?
- No, but return a wai when someone gives you one. Details
- What do I wear to a temple?
- Cover your shoulders and knees, and take your shoes off where others do. Details
- Do holidays close shops?
- Government offices and the university close. Some dates restrict alcohol sales, so check the current list. Details
On this page
The wai
The wai is a greeting and a sign of respect. You press your palms together at chest height and bow your head slightly. Students wai teachers and older people first. Return a wai when someone gives you one. If you are unsure, smile and nod. Do not wai children or people serving you, because they will not expect one.
Address teachers as Ajarn (อาจารย์) followed by their first name.
Dress at temples and formal places
Cover your shoulders and knees at temples and many official buildings. Take your shoes off before you enter a temple hall or a home. A light scarf or sarong in your bag helps. The Grand Palace, near campus, refuses entry for sleeveless tops, short shorts and torn or tight clothing. Check the entry rules before you go.
Respect for the monarchy and religion
Thai law protects the King, the Queen and the heir from criticism, and it applies to social media posts. Breaking it is a criminal offence, including for foreigners. Do not joke about the monarchy.
Do not touch Buddha images or climb on them. Women do not hand things to monks directly, and they do not touch them.
Everyday manners
- If shoes are lined up by the door, add yours.
- Do not touch anyone's head. Do not point your feet at people or at Buddha images.
- Stay calm in a dispute. Raising your voice is seen as losing face.
- Tipping is not required. Leave small change in a restaurant if service was good.
- Keep noise down in your building at night.
Buddhist holidays and opening hours
Major Buddhist holidays, Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asalha Bucha and Khao Phansa, fall on different dates each year because they follow the lunar calendar. Government offices and the university close on them. Some dates restrict alcohol sales, so check the current list. The rules have changed recently, and sources differ.
Check the TU academic calendar before you plan an errand at the Registrar's Office or the BIR office.
Basic Thai phrases
Add ครับ (khrap) if you are a man, or ค่ะ (kha) if you are a woman, at the end of a phrase to be polite.
| English | Thai | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | สวัสดี | sa-wat-dee |
| Thank you | ขอบคุณ | khop-khun |
| Sorry or excuse me | ขอโทษ | kho-thot |
| How much? | เท่าไร | thao-rai |
| Delicious | อร่อย | a-roi |
Thai has five tones, and a wrong tone can change the meaning.
Related guides
- Your first two weeksSet up the TU Greats app, your student card and your TU account, register for courses and go to orientation. International students have extra steps.
- Getting to Tha PrachanThere is no BTS or MRT station at the gate, so most students come by bus, by boat or on the free shuttle from MRT Sanam Chai.
- Staying safe on and off campusTell a guard about security problems, freeze a lost student card in the Bangkok Bank app, and take care around scams, the river, PM2.5 and flooding.
Sources
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