Food & Culture

Thai cuisine is famous for balancing sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavours. Beyond food, Thai culture values respect and politeness, shown most clearly in everyday greetings.

The traditional greeting is “Sawasdee” (สวัสดี), performed with the wai—palms pressed together with a small bow. The polite ending differs depending on gender:

  • Men say: Sawasdee krub (สวัสดีครับ)
  • Women say: Sawasdee ka (สวัสดีค่ะ)
Thai monk and traditional dishes representing food and culture

Must-try dishes

  • Pad Thai
  • Tom Yum Goong
  • Som Tam (Papaya Salad)
  • Mango Sticky Rice

Etiquette

Remove shoes in temples, dress modestly at sacred sites, and avoid pointing your feet towards people or Buddha images. Women should avoid direct physical contact with monks.

Festivals

Songkran (April, Thai New Year) features water celebrations, while Loy Krathong (November) involves floating lanterns and offerings on rivers and lakes.