Culture

Religion

Thailand is considered as a country that gives freedom to people to worship and respect any religions; guaranteed by Thailand’s Constitution, provided that it does not threaten the security of the country and involves illegal practices. 6 religions acknowledged by Thai law are Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Sikh, and Brahmin-Hindu.

The portions of 3 main religious groups worshipped by Thais following this:

1. Buddhism: Accounting for 93.5%

2. Islam: Accounting for 5.4%

3. Christianity: Accounting for 1.1%

Apart from above 3 religions, atheists and other religion account for 0.1%.

Languages

The most spoken and official language in Thailand is Thai. Due to the fact that Thailand has 6 regions, it means that there will be differences in words, dialects, including accents. However, Thai people generally use Central Thai as standardized dialect and accent.

Based on 2021 survey, it found out that there are 5 most spoken languages in Thailand including:

1. Thai, spoken by 92.7% of population, stands as the backbone of communication in Thailand, serving as the primary language for the majority of the population. It is deeply embedded in the country's cultural fabric, used in everyday conversation, media, and government. The Thai script and tonal nature of the language provide a unique and integral part of Thailand’s national identity.

2. English, with 44.6% of the population proficient in it, is taught in schools from kindergarten, making it a commonly spoken second language in Thailand. It is widely used in business, travel, and government sectors.

3. Chinese, spoken by 8.5% of the population, is one of the most spoken languages in Thailand due to the significant Chinese community residing there. When visiting places in Thailand, such as malls and tourist attractions, you will frequently see Chinese signs and hear announcements.

4. Burmese, spoken by 2.4% of the population, is also spoken in Thailand, particularly in the business and factory sectors, where a number of Burmese workers are employed.

5. Malay, used by 1.9% of the population, is spoken by the minority communities in the southern region of Thailand, which shares a border with Malaysia. Therefore, many people in this area are able to speak both Malay and Thai.

Norms

Before travelling anywhere, it is important for you to learn that country’s law, cultures, norms, and beliefs; as ‘When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do’ idiom. Here are the suggested Do’s and Don’ts in Thailand:

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Do’s

1. Greeting Returning Expected: Traditional greeting is called Wai gesture, followed by ‘Sawasdee’ word. Returning the Wai and Sawasdee greeting is expected, especially with older people.

2. Modesty in Dress: When visiting sacred places e.g. temples, you should wear something properly. For example, girls should wear long skirts or pants and non-revealing tops. In some temples e.g. the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, proper clothes will be provided at the entrance for those who wear improper clothes.

3. Shoes Etiquette: As you wear shoes to protect the dirt, infection, and dangerous objects piercing your feet, shoes are considered dirty. Therefore, when stepping into places such as home, temple, palace, etc., it is suggested to take your shoes off. However, if you are worried, some places will provide signs at the entrance about the shoes.

4. Respect for Monks: As a Buddhism country, monks are one of the most respected things in the religion. You are suggested to interact with them in appropriate manners. More importantly, women should not touch monks due to Buddhism’s belief.

5. Respect for the Monarchy: Thailand is a constitutional monarchy country, where the monarch serves as the head of state. There is a law section forbidding someone to poke, criticize, and threaten the monarchy family.

Don’ts

1. Touching Head: In Thailand, the head is regarded as sacred and should not be touched. While touching the head of a stranger is considered disrespectful, it is acceptable among close friends and family. If you do accidentally touch someone’s head, politely apologize.

2. Public Affection: Thailand values freedom of expression, including religious and personal beliefs. Modest public displays of affection are generally accepted. However, it is best to avoid being overly affectionate in public.

3. Feet Etiquette: As previously mentioned about feet; low and unclean, you should avoid sitting and placing them on furniture or sitting in a way that shows the soles. Always keep your feet on the ground and tuck away from others, especially when sitting on the floor.