A Guide To Ethical Travel in Thailand

Almost 95 percent of the Thai population is Buddhist, so the religion has a profound impact on the country’s culture and on citizens’ day-to-day activities. Every Thai man is expected to serve as a monk before turning 20, so when you’re visiting, you’ll see lots of Buddhist monks going about their business, dressed in orange robes. These monks are some of the country’s most respected residents, and it’s forbidden to touch them or to stand or sit in a higher position when interacting with them.

Visiting one of the Indigenous hill tribes in northern Thailand can be a richly rewarding experience, but in recent years, some villages have become inundated with large groups of travelers. This influx of tourists has resulted in negative social, economic, and environmental impacts. To visit in a respectful way, don’t try visiting these villages independently, as you’re unlikely to be aware of local etiquette and traditions and could cause harm or offense if you go on your own. Also, when booking a tour, make sure the company you’re using shares their profits from these trips with the community and employs local hill tribe guides. If you have the time, opt for an overnight homestay—these offer a more authentic insight into the community’s culture.

The head is seen as the holiest part of the body in the Buddhist religion, so touching people’s heads (or trying to place anything on someone’s head—even caps or hats) is severely frowned upon in Thailand. You also should make sure you take off your shoes whenever you enter a sacred building, such as a temple, or a Thai person’s home. Be aware that using your feet to point at things or close doors, or placing your feet on chairs or tables, is considered extremely disrespectful.

Visiting elephant sanctuaries is a popular activity for most visitors to Thailand, but the industry hasn’t always been ethical about its treatment of animals. Some “refuges” let visitors ride elephants, an activity that has been proven to distress the animals. Thailand has experienced a marked improvement in this area in recent years, and animal sanctuaries have popped up throughout the country. While most of the non-profit organizations have the animal’s best interests at heart, some label themselves as sanctuaries without having the conditions to back up the name.

Avoid places that allow hands-on interaction with the animals, especially any kind of riding, and do your research on how the animals are housed. Reputable sanctuaries will try and replicate the animal’s natural habitat as closely as possible. You also can check to see if the sanctuary is accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) on the official website.

Thailand is famous worldwide for its spectacular marine life, but these underwater ecosystems are extremely fragile, and even the smallest change can have a huge impact. When diving or snorkeling, don’t touch any of the coral or marine life, and avoid taking tours that feed the animals—this can disrupt the natural food chain and make animals more reliant on feeding by humans. Also check that your sunscreen is reef-friendly, as entering the water with certain types of chemicals on your body can cause harm to the animals.

Thailand’s monarchy is deeply revered by the Thai people—to speak badly of the king and his family is a criminal offense that can result in prison time. With this in mind, be sure to avoid insulting the Thai royal family in public verbally and to be mindful of even small interactions with images of the king: Don’t lick stamps with the king’s likeness on them (use a damp cloth instead) and make sure not to accidentally stand on coins that feature his face.