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| Do respect the monarch during your visit to Thailand. Long live the King (photo courtesy of flickr.com) |
Well-known for its majestic Buddhist
temples, pristine white-sand beaches, and a wide variety of delicacies, Koh
Samui is definitely one of the top places to visit when traveling to Southeast
Asia. Most of the Thai population are already used to seeing foreigners
everywhere, especially at top tourist destinations. However, it still pays to
be familiar, even just a little bit, with the country's culture along with some
basic do's and dont's. It'll make you appreciate the place better. After all,
you wouldn't want to embarrass yourself, and your country's name in a place as
well-respected as Thailand right?
The Five Do's When in Koh Samui
Keep your composure. Be patient and
stay calm, despite getting lost in Koh Samui and not knowing where to go.
Thai's are very friendly and hospitable so there's no need to panic. After all,
it's what they call the land of smile.
Wear proper attire. especially
when visiting temples. This means covering the shoulders and knees for both
ladies and gentlemen. Remember to bring appropriate clothes when packing. In
addition, flip-flops are a no-no when temple-hopping but are generally allowed
in other places such as at Koh Samui beaches.
Show respect to the monarchy. You may be used
to a different type of ruling or government in your hometown but no matter
what, show some reverence. After all, it's their country and you're just a
visitor.
Remove your shoes. when entering
homes and other establishments. Look for piles of shoes and slippers outside to
double check if you will have to take off your shoes if you aren’t sure.
Read about their culture in advance. A little research
over the net will do but you can also buy travel guides to make your Thailand
trip truly unforgettable.
The Four Dont's When in Koh Samui
Raise your feet. To the Thai's,
feet equates to dirt. So remember to always keep your feet on the floor. When
sitting, hide them beside or beneath your legs. Note that pushing or kicking
things with your feet is a sign of disrespect so don't ever do that.
Touch the head. It's the most
important part of the body for the locals so don't ever touch anyone's head,
children included.
Point with one finger. When you're
trying to gesture to something, always use all four fingers and put the thumb
against the palm. It's the correct way of showing people around.
Expose too much skin. And never swim
nude, even on Koh Samui beaches. Check your travel guide to learn the ideal
dress code.
