10 Don'ts

1. Don't touch any Thai on the head - the head is the highest part of the body and as such is revered.
2. Don't put your feet on anything (especially the table or a pillow). The feet are lowest part of the body and, as such, are seen as "dirty". This don't should also include don't walk in a house with your shoes on - although wearing shoes in the office is OK, entering another person's house with your shoes on is very bad manners. For this reason, most Thais visiting your house will take their shoes off before they enter - so you need a designated place outside the house where you keep shoes!
3. Don't show public displays of affection or drunkenness - Thais don't like overt public displays of affection (such as kissing in the street), nor do they like public displays of drunkenness. Although it is highly unlikely someone will say something to you - you will have lost their respect without even knowing it!
4. Don't talk politics with Thais - first of all they are not interested in your political view, second of all they won't want to put themselves in a situation where the conversation could turn controversial.
5. Don't lose your temper. This is extremely important: losing your temper in Thailand is a sign of losing control and is frowned upon: to the extent where some Thais will go out of their way to make you even more upset once they realize you have lost control of your temper!
6. Don't shout at Thais in English - because they don't understand you doesn't mean they are stupid and shouting at a Thai, even in English, is going to result in completely the opposite end to what you intended!

7. Don't "wai" (the Thai greeting and show of respect, indicated by pressing your palms together near your chest and bowing) a child - although a Thai will not comment on it, it is considered extremely bad luck to wai children.
8. Don't throw rubbish on the floor (it's a $50 fine). In major towns and cities, don't jay-walk (also $50 fine).
9. Don't be surprised to find you are paying for dinner! In Thailand, culture dictates that the most 'senior' person at the table at least offers to pay for dinner. This can be the case even where you were the one invited to dinner!
10. Don't forget that it can take 20 or more years to get a Thai's trust, but it can take 5 seconds to lose it if you say the wrong thing (usually something critical of Thailand)! It is, therefore, very important that you give careful consideration to what you are going to say before you say it - you can be sure that the Thais have considered their words carefully.

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