Style and Etiquette of Phuket.
People and Religion
The ethnic Chinese Thais have had a big influence on Phuket. They arrived during the 19th century tin boom and staying on to found the most successful businesses on the island. Many transient Burmese workers make their home on Phuket during ‘high’ season, although to the visitor they look much like locals! All in all, Phuket is a melting pot of cultures and religions and has been for hundreds of years. Thailand is more than 90% Buddhist but Phuket, situated in the South of Thailand near the Malaysian border, has several Muslim villages and actually boasts more mosques than Buddhist temples even though only 35% of the population is Muslim. There are Hindus and Sikhs and even Christian Thais, but in small numbers. In Rawai, in the South of the island and at Koh Siray by Phuket Town, there are groups of sea gypsies with animistic beliefs.
Social Etiquette
Thai basic social etiquette, like most places in the world, is down to pure common sense, but there are some social areas in which some Westerners constantly offend the mild-mannered and extremely polite Thais. Please keep the following in mind when visiting Thailand.If you are visiting the home of a Thai or entering certain offices, you should remove your shoes.
When greeting a person of equal or superior social rank, place palms together in the region of the solar plexus in a prayer-like manner. This is a “wai” and is the traditional Thai greeting. You should not wai people of lower social rank such as your taxi driver or room service. You certainly shouldn’t wai children, no matter how cute or polite they are. Many visitors do and are the subject of much Thai hilarity. The higher you hold your wai, the greater the respect you show. Watch and learn...
Precede people’s first names with “khun” (pronounced “khoon”). In other words, if your host is called Chutima Kittiporn you should address her as “khun Chutima”. Family names are rarely used except on official forms.
Males should end Thai phrases with “khrap” and females “khaa”. Although this sounds somewhat bizarre, it is the polite Thai way of speaking and will take you far, socially.
Never ever speak impolitely of the King or the royal family. Thais love and respect their King and have been known to resort to physical violence with those who have spoken disrespectfully of their monarch. This respect extends to objects with the King’s image on. To purposely drop a bank note, for example, is considered extremely rude behaviour. To speak evil of the King is a prosecuted offense.
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In the Buddhist religion the head is sacred, and the feet the lowest, therefore the least respectful part of the body. So do not touch a Thai person’s head, even
as a gesture of affection and do not point with, or raise your feet.
Wear respectful attire when visiting a wat, or temple. No miniskirts, sleeveless T-shirts or beachwear. Leave your shoes at the door.
All business or social or business transactions, whether negative or positive, should be conducted with a pleasant smile by both parties. To show outward signs of anger is considered a great loss of face in Thailand, where the maxim chai yen or “keep a cool heart” is considered paramount to successful social interaction.
Open criticism is simply not welcome. Rather, stress the positive or your negative comments will be considered offensive and ill-considered.
Wear clean, presentable clothing at all possible times. Outward appearance is readily judged in Thailand as being an indication of your social standing.
Try not to show ostentatious public signs of affection to your partner, especially if she/he is Thai. Thais love to shower children and babies with affection but consider this rude between adults when done in public. Of course, in easy-going Phuket this rule is not written in stone but you will be judged accordingly, although nothing will be said.
Females should never touch a Buddhist monk. This is because the monk will have to observe a period of fasting and purifying after. No wonder they avoid the womanly touch, once they’ve donned the saffron robes.
A Glossary of Thai Terms
Yes – Chai
No – Mai chai
Maybe – Adja
Hello – Sawasdee khrap (kha for females)
Thank you – Khop khun khrap (kha)
How are you? – Sabai dee mai?
What’s your name? – Chuer arai?
How much – Tao rai?
Expensive! – Pheng!
Do you have a …? – Mi … mai?
Spicy – Phet
Not spicy – Mai phet
Today – Wannee
Tomorrow – Prung ni
Yesterday – Merwannee
Why? – Tummai
Where is it? – Yoo ti nai?
When – Meur arai?
Who? – Krai?
Dining Etiquette
Eating is a national pastime in Thailand. It’s been observed by some wag that half of the nation seems to be eating while the other half seems to be cooking. Thais don’t normally eat three square meals a day. Rather, they prefer to eat little and often. On occasion however, great feasts are prepared where good manners are of the greatest importance. Here are some pointers that will help you fit in more easily.
When not using chopsticks, Thais use a spoon and a fork. The fork in the left hand gently loads the spoon in the right. Putting a fork in the mouth is considered as rude as putting a knife in the mouth in the West.
Serve yourself modest portions. The same spoon that you use to eat with may be used in the serving bowl. No problems there.
Drinking the entire contents of your glass can be interpreted as a sign that you wish to leave
If you are dismembering a fish or chicken, leave the bones on your plate or on a small plate provided, never on the tablecloth.
The most senior member at the table will often be the one who pays the bill. However, Westerners are generally considered to be well within their means of picking up the tab and you should certainly offer to do so. Alternatively, suggest another dining date with you as the paying host.
Tipping is not mandatory but you will be given VIP status when and if you return to a restaurant where you have left a generous tip.
Public drunkenness is smiled at but just as unwelcome as in the West. Just because nothing is said it doesn’t mean that ill-mannered behavior is welcomed.
Wine is becoming more and more popular (but not less expensive) but the tipple of choice for middle class Thai is whisky. Typically, a small amount is served then drowned in soda and ice. The waiter or your host will keep your glass topped up. Beer is sometimes served in the same manner as wine; from a nearby trolley. Restaurant staff can sometimes be over-zealous in keeping your glass full, so caution should be taken if you don’t wish to get too tipsy.
Communication
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Thais are basically shy people. They’ve been taught in their school history books that most Westerners are loud, brash, and impolite and do not have good body hygiene. You can easily disprove these preconceptions by listening attentively, speaking softly but clearly and smiling. The body hygiene is up to you.
Phuket is a melting pot of races. A meeting with an Indian Thai, for example, will be a lot more direct than with a Chinese Thai. Please be aware of this.
In the West, direct eye contact indicates that you have nothing to hide. It means quite the opposite in Thailand. Direct eye contact may be interpreted as disrespect or worse – as aggression. Catch your counterpart’s eyes for a moment then lower your head and look down. If there are other people present, acknowledge them in your presentation/speech. Your body language should show that you honor your counterparts. Not a bad thing.
Thai men occasionally emphasize a point by lightly touching you on your knee (when sitting beside or opposite you) or on your shoulder. For the foreign women, this should not be misinterpreted as a sexual innuendo. Not every man will do this but it’s best to know beforehand that this is an innocuous gesture.
Thais will rarely stop you mid sentence to ask you to repeat or explain yourself. This would be considered too rude and direct. Try to put yourself in their place and make sure that your sentence structure, vocabulary and gestures are as clear as possible.
Can I speak English? Yes, but don’t expect a high level of English competence on Phuket. Speak slowly and clearly but do not speak loudly to try to make yourself understood better as this is interpreted as being rude and arrogant. Only in the major resorts will you encounter fluent English speakers. Some hotels count French, German, and even Spanish speakers amongst their staff. If you have a major complaint, the hotel’s GM should be fluent enough in your language to handle your problem.
Taboos
Never ever speak ill, or joke about the King and the Thai Royal Family. To do so would be to insult your host, the country, and will guarantee the failure of your business mission.
Do not point with your finger. Use your entire hand with the palm up to bring attention to a person or object.
Displaying the sole of your foot or the bottom of your shoes is considered disrespectful and rude to some Thais. To this end, it’s best to try to avoid crossing your legs unless you are seated behind a table or desk.
Keep cool. Displays of anger only result in a loss of face, and subsequent disrespect. Always speak in a calm, gentle manner.
When answering a question it is considered polite to pause a little before speaking. The pause shows that the respondent is giving the question proper and due thought.
Tipping
Generally speaking, tipping is not essential in Thailand, though it’s hard to imagine people refusing one.
When buying off the street or negotiating a taxi/tuk tuk/motorcycle fare tipping isn’t necessary, given that you’ve already agreed on a price.
Bars and cafes sometimes have a “tip jar” near the cash register for any small change that a customer might leave and restaurants appreciate a small tip – usually 10% of the total bill.
In the hotel and higher class spas, masseuses generally expect something like a US $2-5 tip after having worked on you for a couple of hours.
You will get preferential service upon returning to an establishment where you have tipped generously.
After you’ve given the tip, the recipient will usually “wai” you. This is a hands together in a prayer-like gesture. It is not necessary to wai back! A simple smile and a nod of the head is enough.
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