Greeting

•  The wai (placing hands palms together at your chest and bowing your head) is ultimately a sign of respect and is used instead of the traditional Western handshake or a wave. A wai can be a way of saying thanks, of showing understanding of a situation or person, and also as a polite way to apologize. You will also see Thais wai to temples, important monuments, pictures of Thai royalty, and spirit houses.

• Greeting by hugging is uncommon for Thai people. If you meet your Thai buddy for the first time, shake hands would be fine.

• First names are widely used in Thailand. Last names are only used in very formal situations, so you can expect to be called by your first name. However, Thai names can be complicated to pronounce so nicknames are also used. Everyone have a nickname. 

• For someone holds a doctorate, the honorific "Dr." is used as a title. When talking to a professor at SIIT, please call them Dr. + First name. 

• You may also notice different honorifics being used such a "pii", like "Pii Chon". This honorific is used to refer to someone older than you."Pii" in Thai translates to older sibling and is gender neutral. It is common in Thailand to refer to non-blood relatives like you would a family member. When taking to SIIT staff, please call them Pii + Nickname or First name.

Transportation

• Use "Grab" or "Bolt" application to book a taxi. It is similar to Uber.

• A minivan (13 seats) is the most convenience public transportation from the campus to BKK.

• The BTS (sky train) and MRT (subway) are cheap, convenient, and fast for traveling in Bangkok.

• The tuk-tuk will try to overcharge you at first. Negotiate and settle the price for your ride right before hopping in.

Healthcare 

• Thailand has good hospitals and dental clinics, especially in Bangkok. At Thammasat University, there is a good public hospital on campus. However, going to a private hospital in Bangkok is recommended. Private hospitals in Thailand are more expensive in comparison to the public hospitals but still affordable. All exchange students are highly recommended to apply for health insurance before arriving in Thailand.

• Applying sunscreen every day is recommended because Thailand's strong sun can cause skin cancer. 

• Mosquitos are everywhere outdoors. Mosquitos spray is quite cheap here so you don't have to bring it from your home.

Weather

• Humidity is high in Thailand most of the year. You will sweat a lot. Plenty of showers are your best advice. After showering, it is a good precaution to use some body spray as sweat build-up and bacteria will thrive in a humid climate, sometime leading to rashes and itching. Smelling bad is considered impolite so do not go more than a day without taking a shower. Do not ignore it. 

Food

• Eat with a spoon: The proper way eat Thai food is with the spoon in your right hand and fork in your left. Use the fork to rake food onto your spoon; the fork never goes into the mouth. Chopsticks are usually only used for noodle dishes and treats such as spring rolls.

• Do not drink tap water. Buy bottles of water from street vendors.

• In general, food is very spicy.

• Street food is unbelievably cheap.

• Rather than suffer through a warm beer, you’ll find yourself embracing the ice and actually enjoying it.

• Foods on and off campus are cheap. Having lunch at the University canteen cost only 40 – 50 baht/dish. However, the portion is small. 

Shopping

• There are so many flea markets. You can get affordable stuff there.

• Plenty skincare products can be purchase at drug stores such as Watson, Eve and Boy, and Boots. FYI, most of the skincare products (sunscreen, face or body cream, or even deodorant) in Thailand contain whitening.

• Credit cards and debit cards are widely accepted to buy stuff at the department store.  

• Cash is still the most convenience way for purchasing. There are loads of cash exchange booths available at the shopping malls. Exchanging money at the airport is not recommended. You can get the lower exchange rate at the shopping malls close to the campus (Future Park).

• Using ATMs there will be some extra fees, including a 200 baht charge from the Thai bank, plus whatever your own bank charges for foreign exchange. The usual thing to do is take out the maximum withdrawal amount each time (around 20,000 baht) so that you don't pay too many fees.

• Tipping is normal for beauty services, for example, a massage or hair service. It is not necessary to tip at restaurants or street side stalls, though many luxury restaurants will have a tip included in the bill.

Others

• In Thailand the power plugs and sockets are of type A (as in North America, China, and Japan). The standard voltage is 220 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.

• In Thailand, stray dogs and cats, known locally as "soi dogs" and "soi cats," are a common sight in many urban and rural areas. Here’s some essential information and tips for international students on how to deal with them:

  • • Prevalence: Stray animals are numerous in Thailand, with many living in cities, temples, and rural areas.

    • Behavior: Most strays are generally harmless but may be wary or defensive, especially if they feel threatened or are protecting their territory.

    • Vaccinations: Ensure you are up-to-date on rabies and other vaccinations. Rabies is a concern, although cases are relatively rare.

    • Avoid Feeding: Feeding strays can attract more animals and may lead to dependency or aggression.

    • Medical Attention: If scratched or bitten, seek medical attention immediately to prevent infection or rabies.

    • Avoid Direct Contact: It's best to admire stray animals from a distance to avoid potential risks.

    • Non-threatening Posture: If approached by a stray, remain calm, avoid direct eye contact, and slowly back away.

    • Do Not Run: Running can trigger a chase response. Stay calm and move away slowly.

    • Local Compassion: Many Thais are compassionate towards strays and may feed or care for them. Be respectful of these practices.

    • Temples and Monks: Some temples serve as sanctuaries for stray animals, cared for by monks and volunteers.

    • Reporting and Helping

do's and don'ts

At SIIT

• Do not wear shorts or any kind of sleeveless shirt at SIIT. If you have to come to SIIT to contact the offices, please wear proper costume. Wearing shorts (for both boys and girls) is considered rude. 

• In a classroom, Please wear proper dress. Please be reminded that wearing shorts and sleeveless shirt are considered impolite.

• In the classroom, please pay respect to the professors by doing wai and call them by Dr. and their first name. You can all them by “Ajarn” (means professor) and their first name. For example, good morning Ajarn Warut. 

• In the classroom, you will see that Thai students rarely ask questions because they are shy. If you have any questions, please raise your hand first. 

• Thai professors are kind. Some of them allows students text them in a private Line account when having questions.

• If you would like to take leave for traveling, please request permission from your professor first. However, you are responsible for any assignments, group projects, or quizzes during your leave.

• If you are sick and not be able to attend the class, please inform the professor by email. Please note that the doctor note or the medical certificate might be required.

• Please note that doing a visa run cannot be a reason to skip the class.

At dormitory

• Thailand is known for partying, we have parties every night, everywhere. There are a lot of bars in BKK, even close to the campus but drinking alcohol on the campus or any public area of the off-campus dormitories are NOT allowed. It is against the rules and regulations. In Thailand, throwing a party in your dorm room IS NOT ALLOWED. You will be complaint and reported to SIIT. Misconduct report will be conducted. If you want to drink, please go to the bar or somewhere else.

• Swimming pools are provided on the campus and at your accommodation. If you love swimming, please read the regulations carefully before swimming. For example, eating by the pool, playing, yelling, turning on the music are not allowed to do. If you need to use any facilities on campus or your dorm, please read the regulations carefully. It is your responsibility to know and follow the regulations.

• To save your electricity fee, do not turn on the AC the whole night. Using an electric fan is recommended. The cheapest price for the electric fan is around 700 baht (good quality one). 

At Temple

• Do respect all Buddha images. Buddha images are held sacred and sacrilegious acts are punishable by imprisonment even if committed by foreign visitors. 

• Do not touch any monks. 

• Take off your shoes when entering a hall

•  Dress properly 

At the beach

• Don’t sunbathe nude. This is offensive to most Thai people although nobody is likely to say anything to you if you do so.

At any public area

• Do not smoke outside smoking area. Thailand has recently introduced stricter smoking laws with offenders facing a fine of up to 5,000 Baht. Smokers visiting Thailand should take note that smoking is now not just banned inside some buildings, but also outside if it is too close to a public entrance or exit. This is a significant change that may catch tourists unaware if they light up a cigarette outside a hotel, pub or restaurant.

• Marijuana in Thailand is no longer illegal, but it is regulated. It is important to follow the guidelines regarding possession, cultivation, and use, especially avoiding public consumption. For medical purposes, proper prescriptions and adherence to regulations are necessary.

• Kissing on the lips with your girlfriend or boyfriend in public is unacceptable. Holding hands can be acceptable but other unrestrained gestures of intimacy displayed in public are frowned on by many Thais.

• The national anthem is played every morning at 8 am and every afternoon at 6 pm in parks and other public spaces. The anthem is also played before movies begin at movie theaters. Make sure to stop what you are doing and stand respectfully while the anthem is being played.

• Do not use your foot moving stuff on the ground. Do not put your feet on anything such as a table, a chair. The feet are dirty and need to stay on the floor only.

• Do not walk around town in bathing suits or go topless especially non-beach towns such as Bangkok or Chiang Mai

• Use the flag in a respectful way. Do not step on money because there is the King's face on it.

• Do not disrespect Thai royalty   

• Do not flush toilet paper because it will clog.

When having a conversation with Thais

• Thai people are not straightforward. If you do something wrong, Thai people will not tell you to avoid confrontation. Being losing face or being embarrassed in public, Thai people do not like that. 

• Do not be offended by questions about age, marital status or what you do for a living.

• Thai people generally speak softly and avoid confrontation at all costs. Please do not shout or raise your voice.