| After living in Bangkok for over a year I have | | | | preference: 1) "mai ped" - not spicy and 2) "ped |
| learned many things about the Thai People that I | | | | nit noi" - a little bit spicy. The food is awesome in |
| wanted to share with other foreigners living or | | | | Thailand and this tip should help you enjoy it even |
| vacationing here should know. The first thing you | | | | more. In the near future I will be publishing a |
| have to accept is that eastern culture is different. | | | | description of my favorite foods. Stay tuned. |
| The people in the east are less emotional and | | | | Street Food - There is an old Thai saying "a little |
| more polite and while they know westerners are | | | | bit of dirt makes the food a little bit more |
| different, they often are uncomfortable when we | | | | delicious (rough translation). For westerners, buying |
| stray from their norms. The things I found to be | | | | food on the street can impact your health with |
| important are listed below in order of importance: | | | | the possible contraction of various gastro |
| Be Polite - Thai people hold being polite above all | | | | digestive problems. While most street food |
| else. Their very language has politeness built into it. | | | | vendors are clean, this only by local standards. I |
| If you follow what is considered "common | | | | live by "rule of thumb" which has served well living |
| courtesy" you will be fine. | | | | in Bangkok. This rule is simple but you need to |
| Thai King - The Thai People Love their King, King | | | | stick to it. It is "only eat from the street what is |
| Rama IX. Never show any type of disrespect to | | | | cooked in front of you". This ensures that the |
| him or the Royal family. The Thai people have a | | | | food is fully cooked one more time before you |
| deep traditional reverence for the Royal Family, | | | | eat it. Unfortunately, this eliminates a lot of food |
| and the visitor should also show respect for the | | | | served on the street but better safe than sorry |
| King and the Queen, and the Royal Children. When | | | | for week. |
| attending a public events where a member of the | | | | Body Odor - Thai people almost never smell badly |
| Royal Family is present, the best guide on how to | | | | and they find it offensive if others do. |
| behave is to watch the crowd and do as it does. | | | | Crowds - if you go to areas in Thailand during |
| Safety - Stealth crimes, such as pick pocketing, | | | | Thai holidays and celebrations, be prepared to |
| are the most common problem so it's worth | | | | encounter many people. To Western experience |
| keeping a close eye on your belongings at all | | | | the volume of these areas can be incredible. Be |
| times and being aware of the people around you. | | | | prepared to be pushed and shoved and be aware |
| Unprovoked violence against tourists are very | | | | that they mean no harm. There sence of |
| rare, but it pays to exercise common sense. | | | | personal space is quite different than westerners. |
| National Religion - Buddhism is Thailand's national | | | | Watch where you walk - The sidewalks in |
| Religion with nearly 95% of Thailand's population | | | | Bangkok are uneven and full of obstacles, pay |
| being Buddhist. All Buddha images are considered | | | | attention. Oh, also, the streets have many stray |
| sacred and there are laws against removing these | | | | dogs; the dogs are not aggressive but do leave |
| images for anything other that personal worship. | | | | landmines on the sidewalks. |
| Buddhist Monks - Buddhist Monks are recognized | | | | Taxi Drivers - Most taxi drivers are fine. |
| quickly by their shaved heads, bear feet and | | | | Generally, it is always better to use the metered |
| bright orange robes. It is forbidden for women to | | | | taxis. Tuktuks are always more expensive and |
| touch Buddhist Monks, this includes a woman | | | | with Bangkok traffic you could be breathing in a |
| handing something to a Monk, The items should | | | | lot of smog on the way. If you are going a |
| be first given to a man, who hands the item to | | | | significant distance negotiate... Also, the Taxis |
| the monk. Also, western men should never | | | | marked "We love farang, we speak English", well |
| attempt to shake hands with a monk. | | | | most of them do not. They do have a radio that |
| Buddhist Temple - Wearing shoes around a | | | | has a person that knows a little English. |
| temple is acceptable but they should be removed | | | | Movie Theater - After the advertising and right |
| when entering their church (the area where the | | | | before the movie a tribute to the Thai King |
| Buddha image is kept). | | | | Comes on and everyone stands in respect. |
| Be Quiet - Loud people are considered impolite. | | | | Driving in Thailand - If you are a brave one and |
| Speak softly and do not laugh loudly. Of course | | | | decide that you want drive yourself around |
| there are the common places such as bars, | | | | Thailand, don't be too worried, it really isn't that |
| celebrations and parks that being loud is | | | | bad. There are just several things to understand. |
| appropriate and expected. | | | | Drivers use the left side instead of the right, like |
| Greetings - Greetings in Thailand can be quite | | | | in the US, and the roads tend to be narrower |
| formal in appearance to the western eye. The | | | | than in the US. So driving next to a bus or a |
| basic gesture is to put hands together, fingers up, | | | | truck can be a little intimidating. |
| with a slight bow of the head. The words "saw | | | | Toilets - Eastern toilets can be quite intimidating to |
| dee (krup)" (or "kaw" for women) are spoken | | | | the western traveler as well. Be aware that |
| during fm bow. It is more complicated for Thai | | | | eastern toilets are little more than holes in the |
| people, with three levels based on age and | | | | ground surrounded by ceramic and involve water, |
| position but westerners attempting this greeting | | | | not paper, for cleaning. To be honest, I still have |
| are not expected to understand. (levels: 1. Monk, | | | | not gotten used this type of facility to its full |
| thumbs touching forehead durin bow; 2. Same age | | | | extent. Also, there are often women in the men's |
| or older, thumbs touching lips; and 3. Younger | | | | room, stationed there for cleaning. It can be quite |
| person, thumbs touching chin.) | | | | unnerving when you first experience this but they |
| Food - Food in Thailand is customarily HOT, spicy | | | | are not there for any more than cleaning. |
| HOT. Most westerners can not handle the amount | | | | Following these tips will allow you to have better |
| of chili spice that Thai people enjoy. For the | | | | understanding of the Thai people and more fun in |
| westerner visiting foreigner, the best tip i can give | | | | your stay in Bangkok, allowing the locals to be |
| them is how to ask to make the food less spicy. | | | | more comfortable with you and give you a better |
| There are two phrases to be used based on you | | | | understanding of how things function in Thailand. |