Dos and don'ts in Samui
By Jamie Walsh
Remember to dress conservatively at temples.
Stepping out the front door of any home and heading down to the local shops can lead a person on a journey through many different cultures. We all encounter a variety of cultures everyday without even realising it, but rarely more so when we go on holiday. And it is important to be aware on one's behaviour as to not cause unnecessary offence through boorish or unthinking behaviour.
Anyone who has ever visited Thailand will have undoubtedly picked up a few common courtesies along the way such as a wai (hands clasped together) when being introduced to someone. The lack of naked bodies on the beach also tell us this is a society that frowns on topless bathing.
There are a variety of dos and don’ts on Samui and some are common sense, some you can learn and read about and others are taught to you by wise people who want to see you enjoy your stay in the land of smiles.
Dos
A common practise in Thailand is to take shoes or any outdoor footwear like flip flops off before entering a building or someone’s home. This is not a common practise around the bars, shops and hotels in the likes of Chaweng Beach, but you will notice a gathering of footwear outside anywhere that requests them not to be worn inside. This is largely in the more traditional shops that are found on the island as well as some internet shops.
A trip to Samui is never complete without a visit to one of the many temples (wats) on the island. These religious buildings are the centre of the local community and are held in very high regard so take extra care when visiting. Attire for entering a wat should ensure visitors are covered below the knees and past the elbows. Some wats that are geared to tourism have garments that can be worn over clothes if the person visiting has forgotten to bring appropriate vestments. An easy way to think about appropriate clothing is not to be sexy in any way.
Tipping, for service, is not a normal thing in Thailand, but the influence of the western world has led to more and service staff expecting gratuities as part of the norm. When eating in a restaurant and a bill is brought over at the end for payment, it is worth checking if service was included. If it was included then it is down to your own personal choice whether to leave more, say as a bonus. If not, then five to 10 per cent is perfectly acceptable if not extreme in some cases.
Safety is a big concern when holidaying in another country and travellers must take every precaution themselves to ensure their wellbeing. If you hire a motorbike in Samui, ignore the majority and get yourself a helmet. It may be hot, it may not look cool, but Samui has the highest fatality rate for foreigner deaths on the roads of the island. Another factor is alcohol, don’t drink and drive just because others are, it is your family that will have to deal with the consequences. For more on getting around Samui.
Bar girls in Samui should be treated with respect.
Samui is a hot place and seeing people looking like lobsters is a daily occurrence for many residents on the island. Staying out of the sun from 11:00 through until 15:00 is the best piece of advice out to avoid serious skin damage. Do use a high factor sun lotion even when it is cloudy, as many people forget how easily sunburn can still happen.
Female bathers must remember they are not on the French Riviera anymore and are expected to keep their top on at all times. Nudity in Thailand is illegal and is frowned upon by Thai nationals, so keep covered up.
Don’ts
One of the main reasons foreigners get into trouble on Samui is drugs. Most people are aware of the zero tolerance Thai take on drugs, and until recently foreign nationals also faced the death sentence when involved in trafficking illicit substances. Many people believe that smoking one joint or taking one ecstasy tablet will not get them in trouble in Thailand but this is wrong, and in many cases it can lead to a long and very unpleasant jail sentence.
There are cases where tourists have been in clubs and bars and police have raided and arrested them. A week in a 10ft x 10ft cell with seven others, a hole in the floor for a toilet, and the possibility of longer time after attending court, is enough to turn most off drugs. Serious sentences are handed out for just a minute amount of drugs, so stay away altogether.
Keeping face is a big thing for Thais and they cannot be made to look stupid or wrong in any way. If a Thai person trips and hurts them self quite badly, they will try and laugh it off rather than show humiliation or pain. This goes for everyday life as well and what might happen anywhere on the island.
If, for some reason, an incident happens involving a Thai national, like he spilt a drink, bumped into you, drove toward you down a one-way street; keep your cool as this is their country. If they are with friends, try to make sure you do not cause them loss of face as they could retaliate to save standing.
This is only in extreme circumstances though and 99 per cent of tourists will not be witness to a Thai getting angry or violent as this is not the Buddhist way. But younger Thais are moving away from traditional religious beliefs and can react in unexpected ways if suitably provoked.
Another major tourism pull in Thailand is the sex trade and each year tens of thousands of foreign men, and women, come to Samui purely for this. Prostitution is illegal in the land of smiles, although it may not seem like it when one sees all the bars in the country that are dedicated to this occupation.
Some of the bars try to hide, albeit not very hard, the fact they are a venue for prostitution by advertising karaoke or coyote dancers. Don’t be fooled and don’t take your kids in thinking they are going have a great time singing the latest Lady GaGa song.
If you are heading down this road, take extra precautions, not just condoms! Make sure a price is agreed upon beforehand and everything desired is understood. Although this is not the best way of life for many of these young girls, they should still be respected, but also keep your wits about you at all times.
Samui has a list of dos and don’ts but the most common thing to remember is to apply common sense. You are in Thailand now, not your own homeland, and you must treat the country and the island as a host that is allowing you to enter and living by their rules is a must. For more on Koh Samui etiquette.
Accommodation: If you are looking for somewhere great to stay on Samui but which won't break the bank then we recommend Hostelbookers. They have comprehensive listings for backpackers and budget travellers all over Thailand.
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