From Bangkok to Phuket, Thailand has long been considered one of the most sought-after travel destinations in the world.
With a wonderfully varied cuisine, from pork krapow to tom yum soup and Thai green curry, the country has a lot to offer in addition to idyllic beaches and full moon parties.
But like any country in the world, there are certain pitfalls that anyone unfamiliar with or unaware of their surroundings can fall into.
Luckily for anyone planning a trip to the Far East, a travel vlogger has taken to TikTok to share the four things you should never do in Thailand.
The video, which has more than 12,000 views on TikTok, has many people echoing Casey’s advice
Casey said tourists should avoid touching someone’s head because it is “the most sacred part of the body” and is considered disrespectful.
Travel vlogger Casey’s first tip, which she shared on her channel @howtotravelfulltime, was to take selfies with tigers, which is a popular practice among tourists in Thailand.
She said: “Please do not take pictures with the tigers as many of them are mistreated, used and abused for entertainment purposes.”
Her second tip delved further into animals and addressed the exploitation of elephants in the country. She warned: “Do not go to elephant exhibits or ride elephants as they are not designed to be ridden and thus cause spinal injuries.”
However, she said there were “some ethical elephant reserves” in Thailand and urged tourists to “ensure they do their research responsibly.”
Casey then said tourists should avoid touching anyone’s head, as it is “the most sacred part of the body and is considered disrespectful.”
In fact, in the countryside, the head is considered sacred and the cleanest part of the body, so touching people’s heads or hair is considered offensive.
Make sure that if you make a mistake and commit it by accident, you apologize as soon as possible and you will find that most Thais will quickly forgive you for your mistake, but of course it is best avoided.
Finally, she advised tourists visiting Thailand to “never use their feet for anything other than walking,” as “showing your feet is considered rude.”
In Thailand, feet are considered the dirtiest part of the body, shoes even more so. For this reason, it is considered an absolute taboo to point your feet at something, put your feet on the table or touch someone with your feet.
Pictured: Archive photo of the beach on Koh Rok Island, Krabi Province, Thailand
A baby elephant plays in the Elephant Nature Park in Thailand. Casey’s second tip related to the exploitation of elephants in the country and warned: “Don’t go to elephant shows or ride elephants as they are not meant to be ridden and can cause spinal injuries.”
The video, which has been viewed more than 12,000 times on TikTok, had many people echoing Casey’s advice.
In response, one user wrote: “Thanks for sharing about animals, it’s so important! I highly recommend Elephant Nature Park as an ethical escape.”
Another said: “And don’t walk around without a roof if you are a man, if you drive a scooter or a car without a roof etc. If you are seen you will be fined heavily .”
A third wrote: “The feet are only for the older generation or monks.” Sit with your feet flat on the floor.
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James is an author and travel journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a love for exploring new cultures and discovering unique destinations, James brings his readers on a journey with him through his articles.
