Thailand etiquette

GBX

just saw this on bbc. I spent a few months in Thailand and one thing I was told before and during my visit was to have the upmost respect for all things Thai - People, culture, religon ... obviously some people dont learn or show no respect. My single word of advice to anybody travelling to Thailand ... (or any country really) is: RESPECT

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3652658.stm

saviourgirl

GBX wrote:

just saw this on bbc. I spent a few months in Thailand and one thing I was told before and during my visit was to have the upmost respect for all things Thai - People, culture, religon ... obviously some people dont learn or show no respect. My single word of advice to anybody travelling to Thailand ... (or any country really) is: RESPECT

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3652658.stm

Nah thats crap mate, spent a year over there aswell as cambodia and its all a hype. Yes there is respect needed for religion but not like that! When I was there I did NOTHING different to what I do here over there.

Its people who go over there and think its some type of Ibiza that need to cop on.

All people need to know is to respect their religion and not say disrespectful things about it. Its the same as here except they are more vocal.

GBX

Dont get me wrong .. I think respect is nesecary everywhere, especially here. I just thought it was worth a mention. People need to cop on no matter where they go, its a case of being prepared for different cultures etc.

Glowing

Its the Thais themselves who need to start having respect. They claim to be Buddhists but the way they treat their animals leaves a LOT to be desired.

Thats guy was pretty stupid in fairness, its comon knowledge over there that you don't put youself in a physically higher position than any buddha statue or picture. He was asking for it.

Dave!

Supposedly respect for the king is the most important thing over there......... is that true?

DubDani

It certainly is. Never ever say anything against the king. Thais love their king, and would not want to hear anything bad about him Almost every house in thailand has a pix of him in the house.

A few months back there was an incident where a swiss guy painted and destroyed some pix of the king on the strret while he was drunk. He was sentecnced for 10 years in prison. He has been pardoned by the king in the meantime and thrown out of the country, but I don't think you want that experience.

BTW... the artice is already 3 years old, and the etiquette guide p[lans have been scrapped in the meantime

Frank Grimes

DaveMcG wrote:

Supposedly respect for the king is the most important thing over there......... is that true?

Yeah, it's a bad idea to do anything that might be deemed insulting to the King or royal family alright - like this guy found out.