Thai Tradition and customs

• Please take off your shoes when entering temples and houses.
• Please wear conservative clothing when visiting temples. Both men and women should make sure their legs and shoulders are covered.
• Please do not put your feet in front of Buddha, it would be interpreted as a lack of respect. Likewise, please do not use your feet to point at anything or anybody as this is considered extremely disrespectful.
• Women must not touch monks.
• Thai people do not shake hands for greeting, they use the wai (palms pressed together, fingers pointing upwards and a slight bow of the head), which is the Thai way to greet. Visitors to Thailand are not expected to wai back, a smile and slight bow of the head is perfectly acceptable.
• The King and Royal Family are highly respected. Please do not make any jokes about them, it would be understood as a lack of respect.
• When taking photos with Buddha imagery, please do not strike any “inappropriate poses”.
• Please do not touch anyone on the head, a spot which is considered sacred.
• Thai society is still rather conservative. Hence public displays of affection are frowned upon. Some Thai couples may be seen holding hands but this is generally the extent of public affection in polite society.

climate

Thailand’s climate is tropical, high both in temperature and humidity, and dominated by monsoons. April and May are the hottest months of the year, when even the locals are moved to complain about the heat. June sees the beginning of the South West Monsoon, and brings with it the rainy season, which continues intermittently until the end of October.

From November to the end of February the climate is much less drier with a cooling North East breeze and a reduction in the humidity level. This is also the main tourist season, and the best time to visit Thailand.