Visiting a Buddhist temple in Thailand and meeting monks requires following certain protocols and etiquette. Thailand, being 95% Buddhist, highly reveres monks and temples. Visitors should understand local traditions and etiquette.

Visiting Thai Temples

Thailand has many beautiful Buddhist temples, often free or low-cost to visit. These temples, rich in history with impressive architecture and carvings, provide a peaceful, meditative experience for all visitors, regardless of religious beliefs.

Respect and Etiquette

All visitors, regardless of religion, are welcome at Thai temples. However, those unfamiliar with Thai temples and culture should follow specific etiquette rules to show respect.

Basic Do's and Don'ts

• Dress Modestly: Cover shoulders and knees; avoid tight or revealing clothing.
• Remove Footwear: Take off shoes before entering temple buildings.
• Be Quiet and Respectful: Maintain a low volume and avoid disruptive behavior.
• Avoid Pointing Feet: Do not point feet towards monks or religious artifacts.
• Refrain from Touching Monks: Women should not touch monks.

Rules for Visiting Buddhist Temples in Thailand

Some rules for visiting Buddhist temples in Thailand are common sense, while others might seem odd to foreign visitors. Nevertheless, being disrespectful to temples and monks is an indiscretion you do not want to make during your travels.

Always remember, no matter how liberal your home country is, Thailand has a class system – you are NOT EQUAL to a monk. Think about how you would act towards a judge in a court of law, who might let you off with a warning but is ready to penalize you for any misstep.

There are certain do's and don'ts when visiting a Thai temple or having an audience with a Thai monk. This is especially important when requesting a Sak Yant tattoo.

1) How to Show Respect at a Thai Buddhist Temple

Minimize Distractions

Turn off mobile phones, remove headphones, lower your voice, avoid inappropriate conversation, remove hats, and no smoking or chewing gum. This is a consecrated area where locals commune with the sacred, so any irreverence might cause deep offense.

Honor the Buddha Statues

Never touch, sit near, or climb on a Buddha statue or its raised platform. Get permission before taking photographs and never do so during worship. When exiting, walk backwards until you are some distance away before turning your back.

Avoid Pointing

Do not point with fingers or feet at monks, Buddha statues, or other people. Use the right hand with the palm facing upwards to indicate something. Feet are considered the lowest and dirtiest part of the body. When sitting, men should cross their legs and women should kneel with toes backwards. Pointing at things or people is extremely rude.

Refrain from Public Displays of Affection

Public displays of affection are considered low-class behavior in Thai culture. It is especially inappropriate on holy grounds like a Buddhist temple.

2) Dress Appropriately at a Thai Buddhist Temple

Most tourists might overlook this rule due to Thailand's heat. However, appropriate dress is expected when visiting Thai temples. Women should wear skirts longer than knee length or long pants, and men should wear long pants as well. Both men and women should cover their shoulders. Sandals are acceptable in some temples. Clothing should not be too loose or too tight to facilitate worship and meditation.

Plain-colored clothes are recommended. Avoid black, as it is associated with funerals. If you arrive in unsuitable attire, some larger temples may provide appropriate clothing for a small fee.

Remove your shoes before entering the main building of the temple. Most temples have a designated area for leaving shoes. Socks can be worn. The same rule applies to hats and sunglasses when inside the temple.

3) Etiquette when Interacting with a Buddhist Monk at a Thai Temple

Greet the Monk with a Wai

When greeting a monk, perform a "Wai" and keep your body lower than theirs. It is polite to initiate the Wai as a sign of respect. Bow three times to show respect in the Buddhist way:

1. For Buddha
2. For Buddhism
3. For Monks

Remain Lower than the Monk

Monks hold a position of authority. Show respect by remaining lower than the monk. If they are seated on a raised platform, sit or kneel in front of them.

Don’t Eat

Monks must eat before noon. Snacking or drinking in their presence is considered impolite.

Women Do Not Touch Buddhist Monks in Thailand

You may have heard that monks don’t touch women, including their own mothers. This is often misunderstood. Buddhist monks cannot touch women if it might invoke sexual thoughts. However, there are older monks, gay monks, and monks with sufficient purity for whom this is not an issue. For example, the Dalai Lama is often seen touching females in photos.

In Thai culture, there is an extra emphasis on avoiding contact between holy men and women to prevent gossip and potential trouble. Therefore, many monks avoid touching women, especially within temple grounds.

For more information about Sak Yant tattoo, including origins, history, designs and the meanings behind each patterns, taboos, and the divine energy and incantations, click Sakyant.info to learn more.

Souce from own experience and Wikipedia Google Scholar BBC Medium Sak Yant Tattoo in Thailand: All You Need to Know Before You Go – wayward wayfarer