Yes, not saying thank you in Thailand is generally considered rude, as politeness and showing appreciation are deeply valued in Thai culture. While not a fatal social error, failing to offer a simple "khop khun" (thank you) or a slight nod of acknowledgment when receiving service or help can be perceived as disrespectful.
But in Thailand, it is considered especially disrespectful to show people the bottom of your feet. Never use your feet to point at people or things. Also, try to avoid putting the bottoms of your feet up on a desk or chair, or around people (like on the van). Finally, NEVER point at a Buddha statue with your feet.
The phrase “Khop Khun” (ขอบคุณ) is the standard way to say thank you in Thai. It's simple, widely recognized, and appropriate for most situations. To make your gratitude even more polite, you can add gender-specific endings: For men: Khop Khun Krub (ขอบคุณครับ)
It's generally perfectly polite, but it can be rude that you don't also say more. A lot would depend on your tone of voice, and on the context. If you want to be a little safer, "no thank you" is just slightly more polite because it's more formal.
When visiting Thailand, do respect the monarchy, dress modestly (especially at temples), remove shoes before entering homes/temples, use the wai greeting, keep voices down, and embrace the "mai pen rai" (no worries) attitude; don't touch people's heads, point feet at people or Buddha images, show public affection, raise your voice, disrespect Buddha images, or get into taxis without a meter.
Learn Thai THANK YOU in THAI | How to say Thank you in Thai language
What is frowned upon in Thailand?
Try to avoid stepping over anyone, especially in crowded places. Stepping over someone is seen as disrespectful and can cause offense, as it implies disregard. Don't Touch or Sit on Buddha Statues: Avoid touching, climbing, or sitting on Buddha statues or sacred items.
Section 112 of Thai Criminal Code currently reads as follows: "Whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent, shall be punished with imprisonment of three to fifteen years."
Is it rude to not say thank you? In a word, yes. For someone to do something for you is a gift and any gift should be both appreciated and acknowledged with a heartfelt thank you.
In almost every case where I've heard 'Thank you very much! '/TYVM, it comes with a passive-aggressive undertone. Its intention and meaning are totally different from 'Thanks a lot!
If you are talking to someone who is respected, you will use “no, thank you.” This is a more classic and formal way to decline an offer. For situations where you'd rather respond in a more modern and relative way, you can use “I'm all good.”
"Jub jub" (จุ๊บจุ๊บ) in Thai is an onomatopoeia for a kiss, like "mwah mwah" or "smooch," used playfully to mean "kiss, kiss," and is a cute way to express affection, similar to a peck on the cheek or a sweet little smooch, often sent in messages. The actual word for a longer kiss is จูบ (joob), while จุ๊บ (jub) is for a quick peck, making "jub jub" a sweet, repeated expression.
The Head is Sacred – The head is considered the highest part of the body in Thai culture. Avoid touching someone's head or even pointing your feet towards someone's head. The Power of the Feet – Similarly, the feet are considered the lowest part of the body. Don't point your feet at someone or a sacred object.
In Thai, "jing jing" (จริงๆ) means "really," "truly," or "seriously" and is used to add emphasis, like saying "for real!" or "I mean it!" in English, often by repeating the word "jing" (true/real) to intensify its meaning. For example, "Aroy jing jing" means "really delicious".
The most passive-aggressive phrase is subjective, but common contenders include dismissing someone's feelings ("You're too sensitive"), feigning agreement while showing resentment ("Whatever," "If that's what you want to do"), or using condescending politeness ("No offense, but...", "With all due respect," "Thanks in advance") to mask criticism or disapproval, shifting blame and avoiding direct communication.
There are many ways to express gratitude, ranging from casual to formal. Informal options include “Thanks a ton,” “You rock,” or “Cheers,” while formal choices like “I sincerely appreciate your time,” “With my deepest thanks,” or “Much obliged” convey professionalism and respect.
The capacity to feel and express genuine gratitude is a hallmark of psychological maturity and health. In fact, an inability to say thank you, along with extreme difficulties saying sorry, is considered typical of people with narcissistic personalities.
Languages where thanks are rarely or never given, such as Cha'palaa and Siwu, are just as reciprocal as language where thanks are given relatively frequently. In other words, if I ask you to pass the salt, you're likely to do it whether or not you expect to be thanked.
like, it would be rude to not say thank you or similar. but you don't have to make sth up that you wouldn't have said if they didn't compliment you first - you CAN, if it makes it easier for you to reply to a compliment, but you absolutely don't have to.
What is the Foreign Business Act 49% in Thailand? The 49% rule under the Foreign Business Act means foreigners may generally own up to 49% of a Thai company unless a higher ownership is approved under specific conditions.
