10 Things to Avoid in Thailand: Essential Guide [2025]

I remember my first day in Bangkok like it was yesterday – I was standing in Wat Pho temple wearing shorts and a tank top, and the guard politely but firmly shook his head. That was the first of many lessons Thailand taught me.

During my month-long stay in the Land of Smiles, I gathered these 10 most important things you should avoid. These tips can save you not only embarrassment, but also legal or health problems.

Trust me on this – each of these pieces of advice comes from my direct experience or observations during my stay in Thailand.

1. Don’t Dress Inappropriately – My Temple Lesson

Let me tell you how I learned to respect Thai dress traditions. When I first entered Wat Pho, I was wearing typical tourist attire – shorts and a tank top.

The guard was very polite, but clearly let me know I couldn’t enter. Fortunately, you could buy an appropriate sarong at the entrance, but I felt embarrassed.

What I learned over the month:

• I carry a thin scarf with me – it saves the day in any situation
• In temples: shoulders and knees must be covered
• Avoid see-through fabrics
• Muted colors are always a safe choice

2. Don’t Use Scooters Without Preparation

Here’s the thing – riding a scooters in Thailand is one of the things I regret most. Not because I’m not a good driver, but because I didn’t know about the consequences.

My observations from the month-long stay:

• European driving license does NOT authorize scooter riding
• You need an international motorcycle license
• Without proper credentials, you lose health insurance in case of an accident
• I saw too many accidents to take this lightly

My alternative: Grab (Thai Uber), songthaew (local buses), or tuk-tuks. More expensive, but safer and stress-free.

3. Don’t Take “Selfies” with Buddha

Based on my experience, photographing yourself with Buddha statues can lead to unpleasant situations. I learned this during my visit to Wat Phra Singh in Chiang Mai.

I saw a tourist taking a photo with his back to the large Buddha statue. The reaction from locals was immediate – they didn’t shout, but their facial expressions said everything.

What I do instead:

• Look for signs indicating whether photography is allowed
• Photograph the temple without myself in the frame
• Ask permission before every photo

4. Don’t Photograph People Without Asking for Consent

Trust me on this – Thai politeness is a treasure you don’t want to waste. I remember how during my stay I tried to photograph an elderly man at a food truck in Chiang Mai.

Although he smiled, I could see discomfort in his eyes. Since then, I ALWAYS ask for permission.

My proven method:

• I respect “no” and thank them for it
• I smile and show the camera with a questioning look
• I learn basic Thai phrases
• “Kho thot” (excuse me) + gesture pointing to camera

5. Don’t Criticize the Royal Family – This is Very Serious

Let me tell you, respect for the royal family in Thailand is not just a matter of politeness – it’s the law. During my stay, I learned how seriously Thais treat this issue.

In the cinema before the movie, everyone stood for the royal anthem. I saw how one tourist was harshly scolded by locals for remaining seated.

My rule: I avoid any comments about politics or the royal family. Period.

6. Don’t Ride Elephants – My Change of Approach

I wish I had known about the elephant industry before I first went to Thailand. Initially, I planned an elephant ride, but after thoroughly researching the topic, I completely changed my mind.

What I discovered:

• Elephants are not physiologically suitable for riding (spinal damage)
• “Spirit breaking” of young elephants is torture
• Separation from mothers at a young age

My ethical alternative: Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai – a sanctuary where you can observe elephants in their natural environment without harming them.

7. Don’t Touch Thai People’s Heads – Lesson from Chiang Mai

Here’s something you won’t find in tourist guidebooks. During my stay at a family guesthouse in Chiang Mai, I accidentally patted a young child on the head.

The mother’s reaction was immediate – she wasn’t angry, but her facial expression clearly signaled discomfort. The guesthouse owner later explained to me the significance of the head in Thai culture.

What I learned:

• Touching someone’s head, even a child’s, is disrespectful
• The head is the most sacred part of the body
• It’s the place for receiving blessings from monks

8. Don’t Drink Tap Water – My Painful Experience

Trust me, don’t make my mistake from the first days of my stay. I thought to myself: “How bad can brushing teeth with tap water in a Bangkok hotel be?”

The answer: very bad. I spent the next two days in bed with stomach problems.

My proven strategy:

• I always carry a water filter when traveling
• Bottled water for drinking (available everywhere, cheap)
• Tap water only for washing
• I avoid ice in drinks (don’t know what water it was made from)

9. Don’t Forget to Take Off Your Shoes

Based on my experience, this is one of the easiest rules to remember, but tourists often forget about it. I remember my embarrassment when I first entered a small shop in Pai wearing shoes.

The owner politely pointed to my shoes, and only then did I notice the row of footwear at the entrance.

Where to remove shoes:

• Private homes
• All temples (without exception)
• Most shops
• Restaurants (check if others are removing theirs)

10. Don’t Show Excessive Emotions in Public Places

Let me tell you about a situation on Khao San Road that taught me this lesson. I saw a tourist who raised his voice at a vendor during bargaining.

The reaction from the surroundings was immediate – everyone stopped talking and looked disapprovingly.

Thais value “sanuk” (joy) but in a calm and harmonious way.

What I do instead:

• I smile even when things go wrong
• I remain calm even in frustrating situations
• I use “wai” (joining palms) as a sign of respect

My Thailand – The Country That Changed My Approach to Travel

When I first came to Thailand, I thought I knew the rules of traveling. Every day of the month spent in this country taught me something new about respect, culture, and how to be a better traveler.

These 10 rules aren’t just a “don’t do this” list – they’re the foundation for deeper, more meaningful experiences. When you respect local culture, locals open doors for you that you won’t see in guidebooks.

Which of these rules surprised you the most? Or do you have your own experiences with cultural mishaps in Thailand?

Share this guide with fellow Thailand dreamers and tell me about your discoveries in the comments!

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