What you can't do in Phuket: rules of conduct and prohibitions for tourists

Hello to all conquerors and lovers of Thailand and Phuket in particular. The distant island is still in the top places for organizing a "paradise" holiday with a warm transparent sea, mild tropical climate and amazing food. Its advantages, of course, do not end there, but in order for your stay on the island to be pleasant and safe, it is important to know exactly what you can and cannot do in Phuket. In addition traditions of Thailand, many of which the average tourist doesn't need to delve into, exist certain rules, which are exactly what you need to know and at least try not to forget about them. Not all of them are super mandatory, but there are some that are simply “in the law”, both officially and publicly. It is about them that we will talk now...

1. How one should not behave in temples and treat Buddha

Buddhist temples are, without exaggeration, the real soul of Thailand and, of course, Phuket. They really attract with their beauty and especially their peaceful atmosphere. But to get inside, and most importantly, to leave on your own, you need to follow certain rules.

What to Wear to a Temple? Simple Rules for a Tourist

First and foremost, the dress code. Better forget about short shorts, T-shirts, miniskirts and other semi-skirted outfits. You can only enter the temple in closed and modest clothing. Shoulders and knees must be covered. The ideal option is long trousers or a skirt, a shirt with sleeves. I will not exaggerate and say that in fact everything is very strict. On general tourist excursions, many citizens wander around in shorts and nothing. But you will have to take off your shoes before entering in any case. These are the rules.

Prohibition of touching Buddha statues

Inside the temple you will see many statues of Buddha. They are incredibly beautiful, you just want to touch them! But don't even think about it. For Thais, this is a sacred place, touching them is strictly prohibited. Even an accidental touch can be considered disrespect. So admire only the eyes. And if you want to take a colorful photo, try to stay away and as if on the same line.

Although there is a completely legal opportunity to get a pretty cool photo. This is connected with an ancient Buddhist tradition. It consists of the opportunity (and encouragement) applying small sheets of gold leaf to some of the statues. You will easily understand where this can be done.

Monks in the temple and on the street - how to communicate correctly

If you are lucky, you will meet Buddhist monks in the temple. Treat them with respect, do not try to talk to them first and discuss, for example, the peculiarities of the philosophy of Buddhism in Phuket. No, monks do not bite or curse, but in Thailand special, revered status. If you want to take a photo with a monk, ask permission first. And do not touch them under any circumstances, especially if you are a girl. It is taboo! Only he himself can touch in certain situations.

By the way, in many tourist places you can get a purely symbolic gift Buddhist monk blessing. This is also practiced in Phuket. And if you decide to visit the "Big Buddha", and this complex is usually visited by most tourists, you can get "two in one" - both beautiful photos and a blessing.

What You Need to Know About Phuket Spirit Houses

On the territory of the temples (and all over the island) you will probably notice small houses, somewhat similar to large birdhouses. These are houses for spirits that protect the area. Thais believe that ghosts live in them, and they treat them quite reverently. Not all of them, of course, but most of them for sure.

So when passing by, behave a little more respectfully. Don't point your finger (it's not a birdhouse or a dollhouse, after all), don't try to look inside. Some people don't recommend taking pictures, but I haven't noticed any problems, especially if you ask, then everything is ok - checked...

From sacred places we will smoothly move on to an equally important topic – respect. to the royal family and Thai culture in general.

2. Respect for the royal family and Thai culture

The king in Thailand is not just a high-ranking statesman, but a real object of worship for locals. Rama IX, who died in 2016, ruled for 70 years, having ascended the throne a year after the end of World War II. Imagine, more than one generation grew up during his reign. For most Thais, he was something “eternal”.

And in general, respect and love for the royal family in Thailand is something like the immense faith in "democracy" among the people of the USA, but with a divine origin. They say (and in fact) that Rama X, the son of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, is not so revered by the people, but... In any case, you need to be very careful with any statements and actions on this topic and not try to test the inviolability of the laws on the royal family.

Money in Thailand is more than just currency

You will see portraits of the king, and to a lesser extent the royal family, literally everywhere - on the streets, in shops, in hotels and, of course, on banknotes, on Thai Baht. So, treat them with the utmost respect!

In no case should they be somehow spoil, draw moustaches, horns, make obscene gestures towards portraits. It's not worth it. step on a fallen banknote with the face of the King, so that it wouldn't be blown away by the wind. For such an insult to majesty, you can end up in a Thai prison for a long time. Do you need that? No, they won't send you to the coconut plantations, of course, but the best that can end is a hefty fine...

Communication with locals and “loss of face”

Thais are very friendly and hospitable people. But just as Muscovites were once spoiled by the housing issue, so Thais have been spoiled by numerous tourists. I personally see this in the example of tuk-tuks, who will lie on a bench for three hours without orders, but will not take you a couple of kilometers below the mythical "tariff", which does not correspond to the official one at all.

In any case, Thais have their own cultural characteristics that it is better not to try to change. For example, they do not like it when someone raises their voice, openly expresses aggression or discontent. Even if something irritates you, control yourself, smile and resolve issues calmly. The vast majority of Thais are friendly towards those who fit their idea of a "decent" person.

Otherwise, you risk getting yourself into trouble. You can read about one instructive case on this topic here: Traditions of Thailand: What is not written in tourist guides. And also, do not confuse Thais with migrants from Myanmar, which many are accustomed to calling Burma, and migrants from Cambodia. They are the ones who often work as sellers of "all sorts of things" in the numerous market stalls on the streets of the island - and their mentality is "a little" different...

In general, once again: don't try to solve any problem by using your vocal cords, menacing appearance and assertiveness to the maximum.

Local residents, for whom tourists are something like sea waves, constantly and continuously replacing each other, are very sensitive to their reputation and status. Therefore, they never Don't have fights in public, do not criticize or ridicule Thais in front of other people. This is a cruel blow to their pride! Did you feel like you were short-changed? Say so in a quiet, calm voice with a slight smile and goodwill. I assure you, in most cases it will work much more effectively.

Forbidden gestures in Thailand that can accidentally offend locals

Signs and gestures in the world in general are a mess and a disaster. In your spare time, read that even a nod of the head, which in our understanding means agreement, in other countries can mean the exact opposite. So in Thailand and Phuket there are a number of gestures and actions that are considered offensive, although for many of us they do not seem so.

Let's begin with you can't touch someone's head, because it is the most respected, almost sacred part of the body. Although who in their right mind would think of grabbing a Thai by the head? It is also forbidden point your index finger at someone, beckon them with your finger, or poke them (his side) with his foot. The foot, unlike the head, is an unclean part of the body (the lower - the "dirtier").

If you wanted or were asked to give something to someone (including money) do it with your right hand, the left one is considered "dirty" for certain reasons. For the same reason, you shouldn't sit on a pillow for sleep. To no one don't show the middle finger, you shouldn't do this even jokingly. In general, watch your hands and feet so as not to accidentally offend someone. And in general, it's better to do without gestures for a while, because you don't know what a raised thumb means in Thailand (our favorite class)?

Now that we've covered the cultural aspects, let's talk about personal safety on the island.

3. Safety in Phuket: tested on myself

In general, Phuket is undoubtedly a safe place. But I periodically read advice that you shouldn't relax on the island. In my opinion, with such an approach, there is nothing to do here. With such an approach, you need to lock yourself somewhere in the basement of your house and then somehow "relax" boldly and wildly. I will not argue that there are enough criminals and scammers everywhere, although there are much fewer of them on the island than in the capital of Thailand, read here: 10 tips to help you get rid of scammers in Bangkok. But I don’t agree about “you can’t relax”: it’s just you need to approach rest with your head, at least without losing it, especially if you decide to leave your seal comfort zone and try something extreme.

Bike in Phuket - rent and not regret

How can you do without a motorbike in Phuket? Actually, you can, but getting your own motorbike is, of course, romance, drive and freedom. But be prepared for the fact that there is some local chaos on the roads of Thailand. Some road the rules here are sometimes formal in natureOf course they exist, but they are a bit “unwritten”.

Tourists cross the road where it is more convenient for them, but in most cases a pedestrian crossing does not mean that pedestrians have priority. In general, at first there is a feeling that everyone is rushing somewhere, someone is constantly cutting you off, and few people turn on their turn signals. Add here left-hand traffic, steep winding roads and the habit of some Thais to drive a car quite quickly. In general, you need to get used to it. Well, and accidents... they are not uncommon here.

Therefore, if you do not consider yourself an experienced biker, it may be better not to take risks. But if you still decide to go for a ride with the wind, then be sure to put on your helmet. Even if you're not going far. And don't forget about your license and insurance, otherwise you'll be exhausted explaining things to the police. On account of driver's license. One of my friends "drew" the necessary rights in Photoshop, printed them out, laminated them and... has been riding for many years (he says: it would be no pity if they took it away). However, I do not recommend you do this under any circumstances - shame on him :))

Ban on drinking tap water

In fact, in Phuket, as in all of Thailand, tap water is not intended for drinking. The fact is that local pipes and filters do not always comply with hygiene standards. The water may contain bacteria and parasites that will lead to serious poisoning. In general, it is possible to get away with it, in the sense of getting by, and perhaps in the literal sense. But do you really need to lie in your room and run back and forth on vacation?

Therefore, for drinking, brushing teeth and other "internal" needs, use only bottled water. It costs pennies, and you can buy it at any 7-Eleven or Family Mart. And it is also better not to put ice in drinks if you are not sure of its origin.

Alcohol in Thailand: How to Relax and Stay Safe

Holidays in Phuket are not just good, they are wonderful. But if we talk about “friendship with the head”, then we must definitely remember about alcohol. In this regard, you definitely shouldn't overdo it. It's hot, you know, and Thai Rum SangSom, which in a tropical climate is drunk like water, are of course compatible, but the effect of its excessive consumption is clearly insidious.

Phuket is full of bars, clubs and other fun places where many people have a blast. But don't forget that a very drunk farang (that's how Thais affectionately call foreigners) is easy prey for dishonest individuals.

Therefore, the logical advice is: if you want, drink in moderation and never fall for offers to "try something special" from kind strangers. Such cocktails can contain anything! And if you have overdone it, do not get behind the wheel under any circumstances. Call a taxi or ask your friends for help.

Rules of conduct in public places

In public places in Phuket, you must behave decently and respect others. Don't make noise, don't litter, don't get into drunken brawls. For such behavior, you can be taken to the police and issued a fine. This also includes nudism and topless on the beaches. After all, Article 388 of the Criminal Code of Thailand concerns indecent behavior And public nudity. According to this article, any person who exposes himself in a public place or commits inappropriate acts, insulting public morality, is subject to punishable by a fine of 500 baht.

In fact and on Katya and on Patong and Karon from time to time you can see girls, women and even grannies topless. No one catches them or fines them, but the thing is that in this way they spit not only on Thai laws, but also on Thai society as a whole, and this is much worse. You shouldn't judge Thais by the famous "Volkova Street" and Go Go bars - this is the exception, not the rule...

By the way, also It is illegal to drive without a shirt, but many do so. Although in this case I can confidently say that sometimes you get fined for it. Apparently it all depends on the mood of the policeman. In general - a game of roulette...

It is not recommended to actively argue with the police for various reasons, even in cases where you consider yourself right. The case may take an unexpected turn. Well, if you are slightly wrong, then categorically refrain from this.

Well, to the heap, information for a limited category single male tourists. Rarely, but there have been cases of setups. This is what Article 279 of the Criminal Code of Thailand says: a person who has committed indecent act in relation to a person under fifteen years of age, regardless of the consent of such person, shall be punished by imprisonment for no more than for ten years, a fine of no more than twenty thousand baht, or both. Well, determining age can sometimes be difficult, especially if this very age is deliberately inflated...

Now that we know how to protect ourselves, let's discuss how not to harm the natural environment of Phuket.

4. Phuket's nature: how to enjoy it and not harm it or yourself

The nature of Phuket and the nearby islands is what attracts millions of tourists from all over the world. I will not repeat the numerous attractive descriptions of the island's beauty, but I will focus on one logical detail. It is the tourists who, with their presence, negatively affect the state of the island's ecosystem. No, it is still beautiful, but the pandemic period has clearly shown that the absence of crowds of tourists magically restores this very ecosystem. There are many interesting facts to confirm this. But we are not talking about them now. The main thing is to treat nature with the utmost care and respect. Moreover, such an attitude can save up to 100,000 baht…

Ban on feeding wild animals

The island is still home to many wild animals, including monkeys, monitor lizards, and flying foxes. They are, of course, cool and many people want to take a photo with them or treat them to something tasty. But this is strictly prohibited, as it can be dangerous for both you and them.

Firstly, human food is not always good for the health of wild animals, often quite the opposite. And secondly, they quickly get used to easy prey and start begging for food from everyone. And when they don’t get what they want, they can and bite or scratch. This primarily applies to "harmless" monkeys, of course. Therefore, keep your distance and admire the cute little animals from afar.

This is exactly what the photo above is about. An incident on the territory of the Big Buddha complex. Monkeys in considerable numbers happily live in the trees surrounding the complex. But their presence is not limited to trees. They jump onto the fence and from it onto the pedestrian zone and feel at home there. One of them ran up to a tourist who was not expecting a trick and snatched the bottle of Coke from his hands, after which, sitting down on the table, with a habitual movement she bit the bottom of the bottle and rather quickly destroyed its contents.

Snorkeling in Phuket and island hopping

The sea in Phuket is a separate world, full of wonders and surprises. Without it, the island would definitely lose most of its connoisseurs. Multi-colored fish, bizarre corals and even giant turtles - all this can be seen with your own eyes if you decide to go snorkeling (as for turtles, of course, if you are very lucky).

But! The most important rule is not to touch anything with your hands! Corals very fragile, one careless movement - and they can collapse. And their restoration will take years. So just swim nearby, watch and take pictures to your heart's content.

The same applies to other sea creatures. Do not chase fish, do not try to catch them or touch them. And do not feed them with bread. Remember that in the territory of national parks it is generally forbidden to feed fish, and even more so to catch them.

During one of the excursions we stopped at another island, which stood out for its numerous black stones and pebbles. There I managed to witness the law on the protection of national parks in action. A young man from friendly China, swimming a couple of meters from the shore, had the imprudence catch a small fish. He ran to share this event with his Chinese comrades, looking absolutely joyful. Apparently he had a bad day, but by a strange coincidence, the police officers who were on the island detained the joyful citizen. And no games of "yours and mine don't understand" helped him.

Shells and corals: why they are worth just admiring

Next. You walk along the beach, and under your feet the most beautiful shells of all colors and sizes crunch. After high tide or sea waves, you can find a lot of interesting things on the shore. You just want to pick up a handful as a souvenir! But do not rush. The fact is that collecting shells, corals and other gifts of the sea in Phuket is prohibited by law.

How can this be explained? The same as everywhere else: all of this is part of the local ecosystem. Every shell, every piece of coral plays its role in maintaining the fragile natural balance. Taking them with you, you are simply stealing from nature... In fact, many take a few beautiful shells as a souvenir, but it is better not to mess with corals. In general, it is better to take a photo as a souvenir and move on. Believe me, at home these shells will only gather dust and take up space in a box in a closet.

Animal shows: where to go and what to avoid

Phuket is full of all kinds of animal shows - elephants, tigers, monkeys, etc. At first it seems so cool and fun to look at trained animals, take photos with them. But let's think - what is it like for the animals themselves?

Often, for the sake of these shows, they are pulled out of their natural habitat, kept in terrible conditions, beaten and tortured to achieve obedience. Many are injured and sick. I confess, about the elephants, I did not think much about it. Then I read up.

Do you know how elephants are actually tamed for tourist entertainment? It's a cruel practice called fajan otherwise destruction of the spirit. The young elephant is placed in a cramped cage where he is kept hungry and thirsty. His body is shackled with ropes, later replaced with chains. The animal is systematically tortured - he is beaten, his scalp is pierced with metal hooks. These scars remain for life. When, after weeks of torment, the elephant's spirit is broken, a mahout (trainer). He brings food and water, frees it from the cage. The exhausted animal begins to perceive him as a savior and becomes completely obedient. This is the bitter truth about kind, happy elephants.

In summary: If you want to interact with animals, it's better to buy a trip to special reserves or nurseries where they are cared for and treated humanely. And definitely don't ride elephants - don't encourage this tourist business!

5. Everyday trivia in Phuket: what a tourist needs to know

In conclusion, a few words about everyday trifles and hotels that can save you from awkward situations, embarrassments and minor showdowns.

Prohibitions in hotels, on excursions and on beaches

Each hotel in Phuket has its own rules, but in general they are pretty standard. Usually you can't smoking in rooms (only in special areas or on balconies), inviting unregistered guests (few people comply and check), making noise after 23:00, take food out of a restaurant (they do monitor it and quite strictly). As for taking out food, everything is really strict, but there is one funny incident connected with it that happened at the Phuket Island View Hotel. Briefly in the article: "How a Frenchman stole eggs from a hotel breakfast".

About that durian you can't bring it to the hotel, probably everyone already knows, so don't try to save money and buy the whole fruit. Buy a few sliced pieces and eat them somewhere outside the hotel room. And don't try to eat these pieces Keep refrigerated…

And here's another thing - when you check in, you may be asked to leave a small deposit deposit. Not always and not everywhere. This is normal practice, do not worry. The hotel simply insures itself against possible damage. If you do not break or spoil anything, then the deposit will be returned to you upon check-out. They write about cases when they tried to withdraw the deposit under the pretext of an allegedly broken glass (see the price list for damage in the room), but I myself have not encountered this.

Also, the strict requirement for visiting remained a mystery to me. Rang Yai Islands. Everything is basically visible in the photo above, but it is not entirely clear: should I, upon arrival on the island, take out of my bag and throw away my water and a couple of chocolate bars and chips, like at the airport? Strange...

Well, that's probably all the main points about obvious and not so obvious prohibitions in Phuket. Perhaps something turned out to be new for you and will help you to enjoy your vacation to the maximum and will not spoil it in any way.

In general, remember - we are guests in a foreign country. Respect local traditions and laws, even if they seem strange or unusual to you. Be open to new experiences and do not forget about common sense and a sense of proportion.