10 Brief "Do’s and Don'ts” for living in Thailand:

DOs
1. Do respect the Thai Royal Family – not only is it a criminal offence to talk of the Royal Family in a negative way, but Thai people will feel affronted by your comments as the King is held in universal high regard.
2. Do respect Buddhism - although Thais are very tolerant of all religions, they are by and large Buddhist. Phrases such as "Buddhism is not a recognised religion where I come from" may be factually true, but they will not endear you to your hosts.
3. Do dress appropriately - appearance is important in Thailand and you'll be expected to dress "professionally".
4. Do try to carry a photo copy of your passport, rather than your actual passport, with you at all times - while it is a legal requirement to carry your passport a photo copy will suffice.
5. Do get a Thai driver’s licence if you want to drive in Thailand - you may not be able to hire a car without one. An international licence is only valid for visitors, not for long term residents.
6. Do register with your local embassy when you arrive in Thailand - although not a legal requirement, it is a good means of staying up-to-date with the latest developments in both your home country and Thailand and can also serve as a means of meeting people.
7. Do expect Thais to speak directly regarding some issues. Although Thais try to avoid confrontations, they also have a habit of speaking directly. For example, if you put on weight, expect Thais to comment on it.
8. Do try some of the local cuisine. Although this may sound strange, it is now possible to exist in Thailand without having to eat Thai food and if you do not try it, you will have missed out on a very important part of Thai culture.
9. Do try and learn some of the local language (even if it is just “thank you” and “hello”). You'll find that the Thais appreciate it very much.
10. Do enjoy your stay - Thailand is very much what you make of it!

DON'Ts
1. Don't touch any Thai on the head - the head is the highest part of the body and as such is revered.
2. Don't put your feet on anything (especially the table or a pillow). The feet are the lowest part of the body and, as such, are seen as "dirty". This “don't” should also be a caveat not to pass anything with the foot: something as innocent as closing a door with the foot may be seen as an affront. As shoes are generally not worn inside the house, a place to take off and keep shoes at the front door is a good idea.
3. Don't show public displays of affection or drunkenness - Thais don't like overt public displays of affection (such as kissing in the street), nor do they like public displays of drunkenness. Although it is highly unlikely someone will say something to you - you will have lost their respect without even knowing it.
4. Don't talk politics with Thais - they usually won't want to put themselves in a situation where the conversation could become controversial or confrontational.
5. Don't lose your temper. This is extremely important: losing your temper in Thailand is a sign of losing control and is frowned upon, whatever the situation and whatever the right or wrong of it was before you lost your temper, once you loose your temper you will be in the wrong!
6. Don't shout at Thais in English - because they don't understand you doesn't mean they are deaf and shouting is going to result in completely the opposite end to what you intended! (see point 5.)
7. Don't "wai" a child - although a Thai will not comment on it, it is considered by some to be bad luck. As a general rule, a younger person should always wai an older person first. However, Thais will generally not wai to you as they realise that you are unfamiliar with the custom. A hand shake is always acceptable.
8. Don't throw rubbish on the floor (it's a $50- fine). In major towns and cities, don't jay-walk (also a $50 fine). In busy city areas you may be singled out for a fine from a group of Thai’s who have jay-walked with you.
9. Don't be surprised to find you are paying for dinner! In Thailand, culture dictates that the most 'senior' person at the table at least offers to pay for dinner. This can be the case even where you were the one invited to dinner!
10. Don't forget that it can take a long time to get a Thai's trust, but it can take 5 seconds to lose it if you say the wrong thing (usually something critical of Thailand)! It is, therefore, very important that you give very careful consideration to what you are going to say before you say it - you can be assured that the Thais have considered their words carefully.

Understand that the forgoing is general advice and as such will not be applicable in every situation. As you get to know your Thai work colleagues and make Thai friends some of these caveats can be set aside. What will usually be true in every situation though, is that if it is bad manners at home, it is bad manners here.

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Tony, these are great - thanks so much!

Anyone else have any advice to add?

Betsy

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1. Don't expect Thailand to be what you are used to at home.
2. Don't expect to change Thailand to the way you like it. Learn to accept it as it is.
3. Don't complain about everything that is different, because that won't change anything. Changes have been massive looking over the past 35 years since I first came here. If you are patient you might get the changes you want.
4. Try and have fun. Study Thai behavior and try to understand it instead of criticizing it. You will learn a lot.
5. Don't interfere in matters that do not concern you, or more bluntly, mind your own business.
6. Keep yourself busy. Boredom makes for doing things uncalled for.
7. Study customs and traditions.
8. Don't pay too much attention to the complaints of other foreigners. Many of them are their own fault.
9. Having lived in many other countries, this is the best I've found. Because it is a free country if you can't find something here that you want, you can always travel to find it.
10. Don't expect to be treated as a citizen, unless you become one. Generally you will always be an outsider, but that enables you to cut across all levels of Thai society and gives you more mobility than most Thai have.
11. As a retiree I have minimal obligations.
a. To file my home country taxes. (about an hour per year)
b. To renew my drivers license every 5 years. (Time to complete: about 3 hours.
c. To report my address to Immigration every 90 days, which can be done by mail. Time to complete: about 2 hours.
d. To renew my visa once a year. Time to complete: about 3 hours depending on the queue.
e. To renew my car registration annually: Time to complete: About 5 minutes, because I have a company do it for me.
e. To pay my monthly bills: About an hour online a month.
That comes to a total of about 17 hours per year. The rest of th time is mine to use as I see fit. How can it be better than that?

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