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Currently reported don'ts for 'Songkhla, Thailand': 42

Thailand

Thailand
  • Capital

    Capital

    Bangkok

  • Local time

    Local time

    3:25

  • Population

    Population

    69.09 m

  • Driving side

    Driving side

    Left

  • Calling code

    Calling code

    +66

  • Currency

    Currency

    ฿ THB (baht)

Read more facts about Thailand
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Thailand

Thailand
Socket  Socket  Socket
  • Capital

    Capital

    Bangkok

  • Local time

    Local time

    3:25

  • Population

    Population

    69.09 m

  • Driving side

    Driving side

    Left

  • Calling code

    Calling code

    +66

  • Currency

    Currency

    ฿ THB (baht)

  • Average Salary

    Average Salary

    $ 540

  • Petrol price

    Petrol price

    € 1.29 pl

  • Precipitation

    Precipitation

    1 622mm /year

Geography & travel

  • Country Area

    Country Area

    513 120 km2

  • Protected Area

    Protected Area

    19%

  • Forest Area

    Forest Area

    32%

  • Agricultural area

    Agricultural area

    43%

  • Railways

    Railways

    5327km

  • Annual air passengers

    Annual air passengers

    60.46 m

Population

  • Ethnicity

    Ethnicity

    Thai - 75 %
    Chinese - 14 %
    other - 11 %

  • Religion

    Religion

    Buddhist - 95 %
    Islam - 5 %
    Islam - 5 %

  • Literacy rates

    Literacy rates

    92.9%

  • Languages

    Languages

    Thai
    English
    regional dialects

  • Armed Forces

    Armed Forces

    454 550

  • Murders

    Murders

    4 per 100k

  • Alcohol consumption

    Alcohol consumption

    8.3 l/person

  • Smoking

    Smoking

    41.4%

  • Diabetes

    Diabetes

    7.1%

  • Malaria

    Malaria

    3%

  • Tuberculosis

    Tuberculosis

    172 per 100k

  • HIV

    HIV

    1.1%

Economy

  • Industries

    Industries

    tourism, textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, jewelry and electric appliances, computers and parts, integrated circuits

  • Agriculture

    Agriculture

    rice, cassava (manioc), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans

  • Natural Resources

    Natural Resources

    tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum

  • Energy Import

    Energy Import

    41%

  • Natural Resources

    Natural Resources

    tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum

  • Renewable Energy

    Renewable Energy

    23%

  • CO2 Emissions

    CO2 Emissions

    316 213kt

  • Ease of Business

    Ease of Business

    26 (Best=1, Worst=200)

  • ATMs per 100k people

    ATMs per 100k people

    114

Back to results

What not to do when visiting Songkhla

1/42
Marker Thailand
Street & Behavioral

Don't ever climb on Buddha sculptures or any objects to take a photo or do anything which might indicate lack of respect - sacrilegious acts are punishable by imprisonment even for foreign visitors.

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2/42
Marker Thailand
Business & Communication

Don't ever show disrespect towards the Thai Royal Family - Thai people have deep, traditional reverence for the Royal family. Failing to show some respect towards the king or the Monarchy in any situation is not only an offense, but can also get you into prison.

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3/42
Marker Thailand
Street & Behavioral

Don't ever accept any bag or anything from someone you don't know very well, as it may contain drugs. Beware of your own compatriots, there are many scams of all kinds run by foreigners and aimed at foreigners. Trafficking or possession of drugs (including "soft" drugs) is in many cases punished by death penalty. Don't expect your embassy can do much for you.

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Did you know

Did you know?

The world's smallest mammal is the bumblebee bat of Thailand.

4/42
Marker Thailand
Business & Communication

Don't take Buddha images out of the country - it's against the law unless special permission has been granted. However, stores will sell them to you, but won't necessarily tell you about the regulations.

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5/42
Marker Thailand
Street & Behavioral

Don't forget to dress properly in all religious temples and shrines. Don't ever go without sleeves or in shorts, hot pants or other unsuitable clothes.

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6/42
Marker Thailand
Street & Behavioral

Don't "wai" to shopkeepers (a smile is enough) or anybody who is serving you, to children or other foreigners. Thais don't wai to their friends - it's a traditional form of greeting, given by the person of lower status to the person of higher status.

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7/42
Marker Thailand
Street & Behavioral

Don't sunbathe nude - it's offensive to most Thai people.

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8/42
Marker Thailand
Business & Communication

Don't always keep your valuables in a hotel safe deposit box - some safe deposit boxes are the most unsafe places for safekeeping. Entrust your valuables only to respectable hotels.

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Did you know

Did you know?

Thailand has had more military coups than any other country, nineteen in total.

9/42
Marker Thailand
Street & Behavioral

Don't cross your legs when you are in the presence of a monk, no matter you're sitting on the floor or chair.

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10/42
Marker Thailand
Street & Behavioral

Don't eat rice with your fork, eat with spoon instead. The fork is used to push the food into the spoon, and the spoon is used to eat. It's also considered impolite and disrespectful to leave some rice in the plate. Make sure you finish it all.

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11/42
Marker Thailand
Social Events

Don't necessarily take part in rituals with spiritual significance, such as that to show respect for dead people, undertaken in places such as bars. Mostly Thai people are delighted if you understand what it is, agree with the principle, and wish to participate yourself. Sometimes though, someone can get angry, either because they incorrectly believe you are trying to disrespect the ritual, or perhaps they think that it should be only for Thai people.

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12/42
Marker Thailand
Street & Behavioral

Don't get involved in any drug use, drug possession and drug trafficking. There are long jail sentences including death penalty.

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13/42
Marker Thailand
Street & Behavioral

Don't shout in public - in Thailand shouting and shows of annoyance are entirely frowned upon, whatever the situation. There may be times when you face frustrations, do so quietly and calmly.

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14/42
Marker Thailand
Street & Behavioral

Don't get involved in any conflict with Thai person, because they can get hot-tempered and react in very extreme ways in order not to "losing face".

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15/42
Marker Thailand
Street & Behavioral

Don't get involved with anything or anyone about drugs, don't take packages through Thai customs for anybody. If you are caught carrying drugs, you risk the death penalty or life in prison.

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16/42
Marker Thailand
Street & Behavioral

Don't smoke in the street, nor to drop litter in the street - you can be fined for doing so.

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17/42
Marker Thailand
Business & Communication

Don't touch Thai's head or ruffle their hair - Thai regard the head as the highest part of the body, literally and figuratively.

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18/42
Marker Thailand
Business & Communication

Don't expect Thai to evaluate you based on age, appearance or money. So many westerners think it's disgusting that a Thai girl can be nice too, and go with a man who happens to be older. Thai girls would rather do that than be with an arrogant, supercilious younger man who likes to look in the mirror and who believes that girls are exclusively for him.

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19/42
Marker Thailand
Street & Behavioral

Don't forget to remove your shoes before entering a temple or private Thai home.

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20/42
Marker Thailand
Business & Communication

Don't forget to respect so-called No Touch policy - Thais aren't very touchy-feely types, they will appreciate you keeping hands to yourself.

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21/42
Marker Thailand
Street & Behavioral

Don't be offended by questions about age, salary or marital status - these are common questions Thai ask when first meet.

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Tell us your experience

Tell us your experience

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Submit your story

22/42
Marker Thailand
Street & Behavioral

Don't forget to give a tip at a nice restaurant.

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23/42
Marker Thailand
Business & Communication

Don't lick your fingers or blow your nose at the table.

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24/42
Marker Thailand
Street & Behavioral

Don't sit on the floor of a Temple with your feet pointing at the Buddha image.

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25/42
Marker Thailand
Street & Behavioral

Don't get up on stage in Agogo to dance. It seems like a fun thing to do if you are a tourist who is new in Thailand. Thais, and non-Thai residents of Thailand can think you are an annoying idiot.

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26/42
Marker Thailand
Street & Behavioral

Don't let yourself bitten by mosquitos, also during the day as the infected mosquitos bite during the day. Use mosquitos repellents and stay outside the areas with mosquitos to avoid dengue fever, which is very common in the region.

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27/42
Marker Thailand
Business & Communication

Don't disrespect bar girls for what they do. Most have a lovely nature and don't deserve to be spoken badly about because they make someone happy, just because of Western cultural prejudices.

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28/42
Marker Thailand
Business & Communication

Don't forget to keep smiling. The Thai smile when they feel embarrassed, that's all and it's true.

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29/42
Marker Thailand
Business & Communication

Don't forget to bring small presents if you are invited somewhere, as the Thai love to make presents to each other.

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30/42
Marker Thailand
Business & Communication

Don't be impatient, particularly when it comes to ordering food, pay a bill or waiting for change. Expect a longer time than where you come from. Be patient and try to keep calm no matter what the problem or provocation may be.

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31/42
Marker Thailand
Business & Communication

Don't forget Thai people often have a much warmer reaction to foreign people who are obvious first time tourists. Oddly, this seems very much to depend upon location. It's not the case in Bangkok, but can be in other places. "You know too much, no good."

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32/42
Marker South-Eastern Asia
Street & Behavioral

Don't lose the temper and cause "loss of face". The concept of "saving face" is extremely important in East Asian social relationships.

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33/42
Marker South-Eastern Asia
Business & Communication

Don't provide your passport as collateral when hiring vehicles - better use cash as deposit.

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34/42
Marker Thailand
Business & Communication

Don’t wrap gifts in green, black or blue colour - these are used at funerals and in mourning. Gold and yellow are considered royal colours and make a good choice. Flowers, quality chocolates or fruit are good gifts when visiting someone, but avoid marigolds or carnations - they are associated with funerals.

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35/42
Marker Thailand
Business & Communication

Don’t expect a knife to be part of utensils - spoon in the right hand and fork in the left hand are the usual eating utensils, while the fork is used to guide the food on to the spoon.

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36/42
Marker Thailand
Business & Communication

Don’t forget to leave a little food on your plate when finished eating - it shows you’re full. Finishing everything means you’re still hungry.

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37/42
Marker South-Eastern Asia
Street & Behavioral

Don't be too affectionate in public - kissing, cuddling and similar behaviour are frowned upon if in public, especially amongst older locals.

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38/42
Marker South-Eastern Asia
Business & Communication

Don't pull the motorbike in the middle of the road when trying to turn right as you might be hit from behind or from the front by others. Most of the traffic accidents are caused by this as it's common vehicles are overtaking within each of the sides in parallel and stopping in the middle can cause you big troubles.

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39/42
Marker South-Eastern Asia
Business & Communication

Don't point at people or things with your feet - it's considered very rude as the feet are considered as the most inferior parts of the human body.

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40/42
Marker South-Eastern Asia
Street & Behavioral

Don't show disrespect to Buddha or its images - large or small, ruined or not, it's regarded as a sacred object.

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41/42
Marker South-Eastern Asia
Business & Communication

Don't try to outrun the rainstorm on your moped.

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Tell us your experience

Tell us your experience

We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?

Submit your story

42/42
Marker South-Eastern Asia
Street & Behavioral

Don't touch a monk. Treat monks with the highest respect. Buddhist monks are forbidden to touch or be touched by a woman, or to accept anything from the hand of woman.

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