Local Customs: Greetings with westerners can still mean just a handshake, and not the traditional wai. Other customs include removing shoes before entering temples or homes, keeping beachwear to the beach, and avoiding public displays of affection. Thailand considers both the monarchy and its Buddhist religion sacred.
When To Visit: The peak travel season is long, and runs almost continuously year-round with less the crowded months being April to June, and September and October. Travelling during these times will mean better rates, but the best weather is February and March to enjoy both the beaches and the wilderness.
Food: Thai cooking is based primarily on chicken, fish sauce or shrimp paste with rice, with seasonings like garlic, chilies, lime juice coriander and lemon grass. Other ingredients can include tamarind juice, ground peanuts, ginger, coconut juice and Galanga root. Curries, fish ragout, soups and noodles are best finished off with a fresh fruit plate, and for a kick, sugar-cane juice or rice whicky.
Phrases: Greetings in Thailand involve saying “sawatdi” and the wai, a bow combined with the palms of your hands pressed together. Thai custom indicates that the greater respect, the deeper the bow, with the deepest reserved for Buddhist monks. While not required as a foreigner, you can return a bow or wai, as it is either proper, polite, or it will make you popular with the group you travel with.
Tipping: Follow standard tipping rules and add 10% – 15% to your bill at restaurants, and round your taxi fare up to the nearest 5 or 10 bhat.