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Etiquette & taboos

Etiquette & taboos

Understanding local customs is where a journey begins. Find the topics that matter to you and feel at ease wherever you go.

Thailand

2 rules found

Essential restrictionsEveryday mannersPlace-specific guidance · Thailand

Never insult the Thai royal family

Do

  • Treat portraits of the royal family and related topics with respect and care

Don’t

  • Posting or sharing any criticism of, or jokes about, the royal family, online included

The lèse-majesté law is interpreted very broadly and can bring long prison sentences; it applies to past and present members of the royal family.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Thailand travel advice

Cultural sensitivitiesDressPlace-specific guidance · Thailand

Temples and the Grand Palace: cover shoulders and knees

Do

  • Wear sleeved tops and long trousers or skirts below the knee
  • Take off your shoes before entering a hall
  • When seated, don't point the soles of your feet at a Buddha image

Don’t

  • Entering in a vest, shorts or see-through clothes
  • Covering a sleeveless top only with a shawl may not be accepted at the Grand Palace

You will be refused entry and will need to rent or buy a sarong at the gate.

Not yet verifiedSource: Grand Palace dress code and visiting rules (travel guide)

Site-specific notes 11

Taken from the "don'ts" on each site page here. Open a site for its full etiquette and background.

Grand Palace

  • Absolute taboos: disrespect towards the King or royal family (lèse-majesté carries heavy prison sentences)
  • don't step on banknotes bearing the King's portrait (seen as a serious offence)
  • don't point your feet at people or Buddha images (feet are considered the lowest part of the body)
  • don't touch people's heads
  • e-cigarettes are completely illegal in Thailand (possession or use can lead to fines or detention), and unregistered drones may not be flown.

Wat Pho

  • Don't point your feet at the Reclining Buddha
  • don't be loud in the halls
  • respect the therapists during massages and behave appropriately.

Phuket

  • Don't be disrespectful about the royal family (as everywhere in Thailand)
  • e-cigarettes are completely illegal in Thailand
  • don't sunbathe topless or nude on beaches
  • don't touch coral or feed marine life
  • wear a helmet on motorbikes (accidents are frequent).

Chiang Mai

  • Don't ride elephants (choose a no-riding elephant sanctuary)
  • don't buy wildlife products
  • don't be loud in temples.

Koh Samui

  • Don't touch coral or feed the fish
  • don't wear swimwear at temples
  • at low tide watch out for sea urchins on the rocks.

Pad thai

  • Don't put food in your mouth with a fork (Thais hold the spoon in the right hand and the fork in the left, using the fork only to push food onto the spoon)
  • don't point your feet at food or step over food on the floor

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

  • Don't go up in shorts or a vest (wraps can be borrowed or bought at the entrance)
  • don't make noise around the chedi
  • don't point your feet at Buddha images or monks

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)

  • Don't climb Buddha images or point your feet at them
  • don't enter in a vest or shorts
  • don't sit on the temple's statues for photos

Loy Krathong

  • Don't use polystyrene krathongs
  • don't release sky lanterns outside designated areas — they endanger flights and houses
  • don't push on riverbanks, and with big crowds at night, be careful not to fall in

Songkran (Water Festival)

  • Don't splash monks, elderly people, babies or people on motorbikes
  • don't use ice water or dirty water, or spray people's faces at close range
  • don't have water fights inside temples
  • roads are packed during the festival — never drink and drive