Destination Guide

Local Culture

Other than breathtaking beaches, beautiful temples and delicious food, Thailand is known for its rich culture and warm hospitality. Thailand has a unique culture, customs and etiquette which is rooted in diverse and rich cultural traditions. Thai people are courteous and friendly. It is useful to know some basic social etiquette that may ease your path in social situations.

“Wai” (palms pressed together) is a Thai greeting and also used as a gesture of thanks. A “Wai” should always be returned. If someone “Wai” you, you may do the same, or alternatively nod your head slightly as a sign of recognition and respect.

The Thai word of greeting and farewell is:

• “Sawasdee ka” if you are a woman
• “Sawasdee krub” if you are a man

Normally Thai people are called by their first name or nickname in daily conversation. In social and formal occasions, you can add the word “Khun” in front of people’s name to be respectful. However, you should not add “Khun” in front of your name when referring to yourself.

For Thais, the head is considered to be the highest and the feet are the lowest part. Touching someone’s head is considered disrespectful and should be avoided. Do not place your feet on table or chair in the public or use your foot to point at anybody or any object.

Buddhist temples are sacred places so you should wear proper attire when visiting them and proper manners are to be observed. It is prohibited for women to have physical contact with monks.

And finally, smile a lot. Thai people always smile back.

Housing

It is rather difficult to define Bangkok as being either the buyer’s or seller’s market as this is largely dependent on your housing budget and requirements. For example, if you are looking to buy/rent a 1-bedroom condo where there are many options available, this will be the buyer’s market. However, if you are looking to buy/rent a 3-4-bedroom condo or compound house in the city center, this will be the seller’s market as supplies are limited.

The property market in Thailand is largely unregulated and there is no requirement for realtors to be licensed. Hence, it is highly recommended that you work with reputable real estate agent in order to avoid nightmare scenarios.

There are also various online property listings and you can look at these as a general guide of what is available on the market.

Some watch outs to be aware of:

• To check that the agent is a credible realtor.
• To be wary of marketing gimmicks, i.e. properties on realtor’s websites may or may not be available & are sometimes advertised lower than the market rates. This “bait-and-switch” tactic is often used by local agents to generate interest in their websites and increase enquiries.

Looking for a dream property in Thailand? Please drop us a message.

International Schools

The most common curriculums of international schools in Thailand are International Baccalaureate (IB), American & British. There is usually a waiting list for top international schools so it is highly recommended that you contact your preferred choice of schools as soon as possible to ensure availability. For more details regarding international schools in Thailand, please send us a message.

Medical Facilities

Thailand offers world-class medical facilities. Below are some of the country’s best hospitals:

• Bumrungrad International Hospital
• Samitivej Hospital

Transportation

• Driving: It is possible for foreigners to drive in Thailand but Thai Driver’s License is required.
• Sky train and subway: The trains are convenient method of transportation which cover much of Bangkok’s city center, including commercial, residential and tourist areas. The trains operate from 6 am to midnight daily.
• Taxi: Taxi meters are available in the city area. However, there can be a language barrier between you and your taxi driver. Taxi mobile apps are also available and sufficient.