10+ Proofs That Thai Culture Might Be More Different Than We Thought

The traditions and customs of certain countries can sometimes seem too weird. We cannot forget, however, that everything is a matter of perspective: what for some is strange, for others is common. But traveling on vacation for a short period is often not enough to assimilate all the cultural differences and nuances of local life.

Today the awesome.club decided to clarify some of the most striking features that distinguish the Thai people. So follow along!

Many local women say they are looking to achieve lighter skin tones. The clearer the better. Therefore, there are several cosmetic products being developed for skin lightening in Thailand, from common creams to special injections.

Many Thai women have no interest in “roasting” in the sun; and the clothes they wear on the beaches shock tourists: instead of bikinis and bathing suits, they wear closed blouses and even go into the water that way.

The greeting “wai” may be one of the first you hear when you arrive in the country. It is accompanied by a bending of the body with the hands together in front of the chest. This gesture is used not only to greet, but also to show respect. It can be done in three different ways:

with thumbs touching chin—to friends and colleagues; with thumbs touching nose — for older people; with thumbs touching forehead — represents the highest level of respect, for example, to communicate with royalty.

If you’re not sure which one to use, just place your hands in front of your chest and bend over slightly. In fact, tourists are under no obligation to do so; a simple smile will suffice.

Crossing your legs in such a way that people can see the soles of your feet, or also supporting them on tables or chairs, can be seen as a sign of bad manners. Many locals believe that the feet are the lowest and dirtiest part of the body. That’s also why the first thing they do when they get home is wash them.

Tourists can be forgiven, of course, but it’s best to respect the local culture whenever possible.

The head is considered by many to be sacred, so it might not be a good idea to touch anyone’s hair, even if it’s a gesture of friendship or a joke. This also goes for the little ones: Thais may find it strange if you touch or touch the hair of children on the street, or on the playground.

It is worth noting that this custom is not followed by most and is already falling into disuse.

In many markets or pharmacies you can find shelves full of stick inhalers with different perfumes. The most common is mint.

Some people use such products to “energize” themselves, treat runny nose or even headaches. Just bring the stick to your nose and take a deep breath.

Many superstitions were preserved in the country. One is that malevolent spirits can’t harm children if they don’t know what to call them. Therefore, many of them have double names.

In recent years, the tradition has changed a bit: some babies have started to be named after famous brands or popular English words. For example: Pepsi, Benz, Pancake, Golf, Bank, Wi-Fi and so on.

Most bathrooms in Thailand offer a bidet to use in place of toilet paper. If the place is not very well equipped (for example, when, instead of a toilet, there is only a hole in the floor), you will surely find a bucket with water and a kind of bowl next to it to clean yourself.

If you find toilet paper in a bathroom, don’t throw it in the toilet: there is a different plumbing system in the country and, therefore, there is a high chance of clogging.

Thais are very practical and many use toilet papers as napkins. They can clean anything, from the surface of the table to their own face. On the other hand, paper towels, which are quite popular in Western countries, are mostly used by locals when it is necessary, for example, to absorb excess oil spilled during cooking.

Most young Thai women wear short shorts under short skirts or dresses. The reason is obvious: Thailand is still a very conservative country, and showing your underwear in public may not be an acceptable practice.

Many people throw cans, PET bottles and similar waste on the floor, without caring that they are polluting the environment. When they clean the street, close to their homes, some just move the garbage to the neighbor’s territory, ignoring factors such as the wind or strays, which can consume harmful products.

It may shock many tourists, but it is quite common to see young girls in the company of older men on city streets. But why is this situation so common? Many Europeans move to Thailand, where they intend to start a new life with a younger Thai woman. It is believed that one of the reasons why some women seek such relationships is to be able to guarantee financial stability for the family and the future of their children.

According to some people who have moved to the country, there is a constant lack of water during the dry season. As far as private villa areas are concerned, the situation can be even worse: often, the water cannot be consumed as it is not treated.

There is virtually no central hot water supply. People often install heaters in showers. Unlike many European countries, the water that comes out of the tap is only cold.

Tap water is also not suitable for consumption or for cleaning fruits and vegetables. For such purposes, special gallons of water must be purchased.

Or rather: many Thais do not have kitchens as many Westerners are used to seeing. First, because local food has a very pronounced smell and preparing it at home might not be the best idea. That’s why, by the way, many people choose to cook on improvised plates on the balcony. Second, because it is easier and cheaper to buy food on the street. Third, kitchen equipment can be quite expensive and take up a lot of space — something that, in Thai apartments, can be quite limited. Despite such setbacks, some locals still keep small stoves or a small refrigerator in their homes.

Have you ever been to Thailand? Did you notice anything else special about the country that you could share with us? Comment!