Guide to Business Etiquette in Thailand

A short guide on how to behave when you intend to do business, start a business or work in a company in Thailand.

Tiffany Porter's advice

Every country is different in the way social relations are constructed and function.

As a business person in Thailand, you need to understand these cultural differences and be able to present yourself properly in the right environment.

See : Do's and don'ts in Thailand, the things you need to know

Thailand is no different.

It has a unique society whose customs and traditions are in line with those of other Asian countries around it.

Yet Thailand still has its own unique characteristics.

See : What are the common miscommunications between Thais and foreigners?

This is the ultimate guide to business etiquette in Thailand.

Overview of business etiquette in Thailand

Compared to many other countries, Thailand has a very relaxed culture.

In other words, people will often be more direct in asking you questions, even if they may seem personal.

This is a way of getting to know you better; in return, they will be open and frank with you when you ask them questions.

This openness is essential for building strong and lasting business relationships.

Thais prefer to develop business relationships after establishing a personal relationship with you.

They want to trust you and expect you to trust them too.

That's why your first meetings can be organised in a friendly setting where you talk, eat, and even enjoy some entertainment.

Talk about the things that interest them and show them your own interest.

Be a sociable and friendly person.

In addition to this, here are some additional tips:

• Small gestures such as simple courtesies and gifts are much appreciated. Hold doors, offer drinks and bring a symbolic gift to your first meeting.
• Use both hands as a sign of respect when giving gifts or objects.
  In general, the right hand is used to give an object and to show respect, the left hand holds the right wrist.
• Do not touch their heads or hair, or pass objects over their heads. As the head is considered sacred, such actions are disrespectful to the Thai people.
• Respect the Buddhist religion Thai people - don't take selfies with Buddhist statues, respect religious festivals and objects, etc.
• Eat with your spoon rather than your fork.

The hierarchy in Thailand

In Thailand, hierarchy creates the structure on which all relationships, both personal and professional, are based.

Therefore, you must respect a person appropriately according to their status.

Thais usually ask several questions to understand where a person stands in the hierarchy.

These questions may seem too personal, but they are simply a way for Thais to get to know you better.

Because of the hierarchy that is so fundamental to Thai society, relationships are essential to Thais.

To do business successfully, you need to develop and invest in such situations.

You must be personally present and involved in all meetings.

Video conferencing is not an option.

The best option is to go out to eat together to get to know each other better.

Instead of going straight to the point, you should first have fun together and establish a personal connection with your business partners.

Say hello to

Thai Airways stewardess practising Wai.

In Thailand, the "wai" is a traditional greeting.

You should raise your hands in prayer and bow your head slightly for this greeting.

The greeting or wai can also help you show a certain degree of respect.

By raising your hands and bowing your head lower, you can show more respect to the person you are greeting.

Similarly, Thais will use this greeting to show you respect.

Usually the younger person offers the wai greeting and the older person responds.

You should wait because you are a foreigner instead of initiating the wai greeting yourself.

See what greeting is offered and respond accordingly.

By the way, you can also smile and nod slightly when you perform the wai greeting.

This will show an extra level of respect.

See : Learn to make wai in Thailand

Business cards

If you don't want to answer the many questions the Thais are likely to ask you to find your place in the hierarchy, you can simply prepare a business card.

Business cards are very common in the West, but are not as popular in Thailand.

That said, they are always useful for introducing yourself.

In addition, because of their rarity, they are treated with more importance and are considered an extension of the person who offers them.

As mentioned earlier, you should use both hands when handing over items - this rule also applies to business cards.

If you have bilingual cards, offer them with the Thai side up and the writing towards the person you are giving them to.

When you receive a card, take it in both hands, look at it for a moment and make a positive comment about it.

All this is a way of showing politeness and respect.

Communication

Politeness is one of the most essential elements of communication customs in Thailand.

You must be courteous, polite and friendly at all times.

Avoid being inconsiderate or rude, even unintentionally.

Do not show your anger or criticise others in public.

Try to be modest and respectful of others.

If you feel embarrassed or do something awkward, smile and laugh.

If people around you are laughing for no reason, it is best to change the subject.

You can use the term Khun when addressing someone - it is equivalent to Mr, Mrs and Ms in English.

See : Thai language, the minimum vocabulary to know on your first trip

Do not interrupt, mock or play games with others.

Do not correct the mistakes of others.

If you make a mistake yourself, laugh it off and move on.

Avoid saying negative things about Thai politics.

Important: the same applies to the monarchy or Buddhism.

Confirm your appointments one day in advance and be on time.

If you are in BangkokIf you have to travel long distances, be careful with your time, as traffic can become a real problem.

Dress code

Bride and groom in traditional dress. Photo: Unze77

In Thailand, people like to dress in a stylish and classy way, so make sure you do it yourself.

That being said, be somewhat conservative in your clothing.

Men should wear dark suits and ties, while women should wear overalls, skirts, blouses and dresses.

Jeans can be worn with shirts or blouses if you have a casual meeting.

In general, try to stick to darker shades rather than bright colours.

However, do not wear black, as it is only worn for funerals.

Women can wear more colours, but should still avoid red.

For the fabric, you can try something breathable like cotton or silk, as the temperature can get quite high.

If it is too hot, you can take off your jacket and hold it over your shoulders.

In summary

In summary, Thailand is a beautiful country with a unique culture that you should respect and understand.

Use this guide to help you do business in Thailand successfully.

About the author

Tiffany Porter is an expert writer who creates various training and professional development courses, materials, manuals and reviews for the website Best Essays Education.

She also enjoys travelling and speaks German and French.

Source: Chiang Rai Times