6 common mistakes tourists make when visiting Bangkok.

Bangkok is ranked as the most visited city in the world. Many tourists come to Bangkok to enjoy world-class cuisine, famous nightlife, and explore its numerous temples...

Marielle Descalsota, a travel journalist based in Singapore, visited Thailand at the end of July. She spent several days interviewing locals to learn more about the city's tourism industry. She also wanted to hear what locals thought about tourists visiting their city, and especially about common mistakes international visitors make.

Use your foot to point at a person or object.

While the head is considered sacred in Thailand, the feet are considered unclean. A local resident in Bangkok named Mandy Itthikaiwan told Marielle that they are very uncomfortable seeing visitors use their feet to point at objects placed on the ground.

Furthermore, the same applies to actions like putting feet on tables, chairs, etc. Tourists need to be especially careful when pointing their feet at monks or images of Buddha, as locals consider this practice vulgar and rude.

Wearing revealing clothes when going to the temple.

Over 93% of Thais are Buddhist, so there are countless temples throughout Thailand, especially in Bangkok. However, some tourists often don't dress appropriately when visiting temples.

"The weather in Bangkok is very hot, and people come here to relax for a holiday. But we hope everyone will try to follow the customs and dress appropriately and respectfully when visiting the temple, avoiding short skirts or shorts," shared Jee, a local resident.

Appropriate clothing should include tops that cover the shoulders and trousers or skirts that cover the legs. If you happen to wear inappropriate clothing, you can use a long scarf to cover the exposed areas. Scarves and robes are provided at most temples.

When visiting temples, tourists often have the habit of wearing their shoes straight inside. In contrast, Thais have a custom of leaving them outside. This mistake is more common among European and American tourists, but less frequent among Asian tourists due to shared customs and traditions.

Eat at famous restaurants that cater specifically to tourists.

Bangkok is a culinary paradise with over 320,000 restaurants of all sizes. Many tourists tend to stick to the city's most famous spots, like Jay Fai, a Michelin-starred restaurant. But a Bangkok taxi driver told Marielle that locals prefer eating at roadside eateries and cafes in shopping malls.

"In these food courts, they sell really delicious and cheap food," said Nakhon Ratchapong, the taxi driver who took Marielle there.

The female reporter followed the locals' advice and had breakfast at Iconsiam, a popular shopping mall in Bangkok. She only paid 200 baht (130,000 VND) for shrimp rice, five dumplings, and a bottle of fresh fruit juice. It was a delicious and affordable meal.

Underestimating the danger level of the roads.

Bangkok's roads are among the most dangerous in the world, with over 100,000 accidents annually, according to the National Accident Data Center, as cited by the Bangkok Post.

"Thailand is a country of freedom. So people drive however they like, and some even don't wear helmets," said Puacksumran, a tour guide.

Therefore, tourists visiting this area should ensure their safety by using public transportation instead of motorbikes. This option also helps you avoid traffic jams during peak hours.

Do not remove your shoes before entering temples.

Taking off your shoes before entering a house is a local custom in Thailand, and temples are no exception. Puacksumran, a tour guide, explains that many Thais understand that tourists may not know what is appropriate when visiting temples.

Puacksumran said, “I’ve seen tourists hesitate to enter the temples because they don’t know whether they should take off their shoes or not. Besides removing their shoes, tourists should also avoid stepping on the rocks as that is considered bad luck.”

Disrespecting the gods

Spiritual homes are common in many Southeast Asian cities, but they are particularly popular in Bangkok. Locals believe these temples are home to protective spirits, so they always offer items like food and flowers, Bangkok tour guide Uma Puacksumran told the female reporter.

The spirit houses look like miniature temples or houses and are often decorated with some floral garlands. But some tourists seem to think that the spirit houses are just ordinary decorations or even dining areas, she said.

Puacksumran said, “The sacred house is a sacred place. Sometimes visitors sit next to it and some even use the shrine as a table to eat their meals. It’s best to avoid getting close to or touching sacred houses unless you are paying respects or placing offerings there.”

Phuong Thao is an editor at Travellive magazine. She is passionate about traveling and enjoys capturing moments with her camera in every place she visits. Travel, art, and lifestyle are Phuong Thao's favorite writing topics.

Phuong Thao