Explore Thailand
Street food, temples, islands, and a culture built around grace and respect.
Thailand is famous for street food, temples, beaches, markets, and gracious hospitality. Thai etiquette values calmness and respect; learning greetings and polite particles helps travelers avoid sounding abrupt.
Quick facts
Essential phrases
All phrasesHello
สวัสดีครับ/ค่ะ
Sa-wat-dee khrap/kha
Please
กรุณา
Ka-roo-na
Thank you
ขอบคุณครับ/ค่ะ
Khop-khun khrap/kha
Excuse me
ขอโทษครับ/ค่ะ
Khaw-thot khrap/kha
Cultural norms
All tipsStay calm and polite
EtiquetteLosing your temper publicly causes loss of face. A calm voice and smile are more effective than confrontation.
Respect temple rules
TemplesCover shoulders and knees, remove shoes before entering temple buildings, and never point your feet toward Buddha images.
Polite particles matter
LanguageMen often end polite sentences with khrap; women often use kha. It softens requests and sounds respectful.
Tipping guide
Full guideTipping is not mandatory but appreciated. Round up small bills, leave 20-100 baht for good service, and tip guides or drivers for longer service.
Restaurants
20-100 baht or 5-10%
Not mandatory; tip more for attentive service.
Taxis
Round up fare
Agree on fares first for tuk-tuks.
Hotel staff
20-100 baht
Useful for porters and housekeeping.
Tour guides & drivers
100-300 baht+
Scale with tour length and group size.
Use the app for quick access and saved phrases
Quick mode, category browsing, and your personal phrasebook.
Open Thailand in App