Thailand Cultural Holiday Tips for a Great Vacation

Loy Krathong. Photo by Hartfried Schmid

Tourist Trap in Phuket. Photo by sebr


Photo by QuiteLucid


Thai monk. Photo by Bewal

Prior to leaving for your Thailand cultural holiday, it is important that you complete any reservations. This includes tour activities or any other events that would require a reservation. This is due to the fact that many times the guest list tends to become booked very quickly in Thailand for almost any activity, and you need to make sure that you are scheduled for the event. However, you might want to delay making the reservations until several months in advance so that you do not have to deal with any changes in arrangements early in the planning process.

You should also inquire with the travel company or the tour operator about their refund policies. This includes refunds associated with canceled events due to weather or other circumstances. Another reason to inquire about refunds is if you have to cancel the Thailand cultural holiday event for yourself. Many times, a tour group or company will allow you to place a deposit instead of paying the full amount. This allows you to have the peace of mind that you will not be out of a large sum of money if you do have to cancel at the last minute.

Another detail to consider when planning your Thailand cultural holiday is the activities that you will be taking part in. The true cultural events are those that are not commercialized or are not overcrowded with tourists. You can find these "hidden" events by researching various websites or by asking the concierge services at your hotel. Many times, tour guides or travel companies will be informed about these uncommon events. A great benefit of these types of cultural events is that they are usually more budget-friendly since they are less popular with tourists.

In order to have a true Thailand cultural holiday, you need to fit in with the natives. Keep the following in mind while you are staying in the country:

King of Thailand. Photo by The Dilly Lama

Photo by Drift Words

• Refrain from making comments about the royal family. The people of Thailand view the king and his family with the utmost respect.


• The common religion is Buddhism


• It is viewed as disrespect for a female to sit next to a monk while in public, such as in public transportation locations.


• Do not raise your voice or critique another person in public. This is due to the fact that the Thai people have a much more sophisticated sense of their self and they do not think highly of a person who does not have self control.


• Avoid touching a native on the head. The Thai people regard the head as the location for the soul. In the same sense, it is also disrespectful to stare at a person's feet or point at their feet. This is due to the fact they consider the feet to be a very unholy body part.


• Keep your shoulders and legs covered when you are visiting temples or religious locations.

While the etiquette rules can be overwhelming, they are mostly a guideline to help prevent yourself from becoming embarrassed while enjoying your Thailand cultural holiday. You can usually take cues from other tourists and watch what they do. Also, knowing what to look for when planning your trip will ensure that you have the best vacation possible.