Thailand business etiquette for visiting executives
Thailand business etiquette starts with respect, shown through a calm tone, a polite greeting and attention to rank. If you remember only one thing before a Bangkok trip, make it this: be gracious, be patient and let your hosts set the pace. The sections below cover the basics a visiting executive can use on day one.
Greet with a smile, and know the wai
The wai is the traditional Thai greeting. You press your palms together and bow your head slightly. The higher the hands and the lower the bow, the more respect you show.
Always return a wai that is offered to you. A visitor should not wai someone who is younger unless that person offers one first. A smile and a small nod work well for casual wais, such as one from a shop clerk or a hotel receptionist.
If your hands are full, make a real effort to return the gesture as well as you can. If your host offers a handshake instead, follow their lead.
Sources: Wikipedia, "Wai (greeting)," on who offers the wai and when it is returned; Wikipedia, "Thai name," on forms of address.
Use first names with a title
Thais use given names in formal settings, not family names. The polite habit is to put "Khun" in front of the given name. For example, you would say "Khun Somchai." It is a polite choice, especially with someone senior to you.
Many Thais also have a short nickname, and people often go by it, even at work. Do not use a nickname until your host invites you to. Ask how a person likes to be addressed.
Learn the job titles and ranks in the room. Greet the most senior person first. Let them speak first in a meeting, and do not interrupt.
Sources: Wikipedia, "Thai name," on given names, nicknames and the "khun" honorific.
Dress neatly and plan for the heat
Bangkok is hot and humid, but business dress is still neat and modest. Pack lightweight, pressed clothes. A jacket or a long-sleeved shirt for men and a modest style for women are safe choices for a first meeting. Plan for strong air conditioning indoors, so carry a light layer.
If your schedule includes a temple or the Grand Palace, dress with care. The Grand Palace lists no sleeveless shirts, no short pants and no mini skirts. Travel guidance also warns against ripped jeans at temples, and says some places rent wraps at the entrance. Remove your shoes where you see shoes left at a door.
Sources: Royal Grand Palace of Thailand, Practical Information page (royalgrandpalace.th), on banned clothing; Thailand travel information site (thailandtravel.or.jp/en/etiquette), on dress at temples.
Mind the head, the feet and the monarchy
Thais treat the head as the most respected part of the body. Do not touch another person's head. The feet are seen as impure, so do not point them toward Buddha images, for example when you sit in a temple.
Be careful when you talk about the royal family. Keep the subject respectful, or avoid it. In public places such as stations, the national anthem plays at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., and many people stop and stand. If you hear it, stand and pause as well. Cinemas also play a royal anthem before films, and everyone, including visitors, is expected to stand.
Women should not touch a monk. If you meet a monk on the street or on public transport, keep a respectful distance and let your hosts guide you.
Sources: Thailand travel information site (thailandtravel.or.jp/en/etiquette), on the head, the feet, the monarchy, the anthem and monks.
Keep your cool and let relationships lead
Raising your voice or showing anger is seen as a loss of composure. If something goes wrong, stay calm and smile. Raise problems in private, in a polite tone, and give the other person room to respond.
Build the relationship before you push for a deal. Arrive on time, even though Bangkok traffic is heavy, so leave early. Expect some small talk first. Meetings may move slower than you would like, and a decision may need several people. Thank your hosts, and follow up in writing within a day or two.
If a host gives you a small gift, accept it with both hands or with a wai and a smile. A small gift from your home country is a kind thing to bring, but it does not need to be costly. Keep the tone light and avoid anything that looks like a bribe.
Note: the advice in this section is editorial guidance, not taken from a single source.
A quick checklist
- Return a wai that is offered to you.
- Say "Khun" plus the given name.
- Dress neatly, and skip sleeveless tops and shorts at temples.
- Never touch heads, and keep your feet away from Buddha images.
- Speak softly, stay calm and be patient.
Sources: Wikipedia, "Wai (greeting)"; Wikipedia, "Thai name"; Royal Grand Palace of Thailand, Practical Information; Thailand travel information site, thailandtravel.or.jp/en/etiquette.