Etiquette

Thai Social Hierarchy

Thai society has a deeply ingrained social hierarchy that influences every interaction.

Age and Status

• Elders are always respected — age brings automatic authority
• Younger people use polite particles and formal language with elders
• Terms like พี่ (pîi, older sibling) and น้อง (nɔ́ɔng, younger sibling) are used constantly

The Pronoun System

• Thai has many words for "I" and "you" depending on the relationship:
  • ผม (pǒm) — I (male, polite)
  • ดิฉัน (dì-chǎn) — I (female, polite)
  • ฉัน (chǎn) — I (casual)
  • คุณ (kun) — you (polite)
  • เธอ (ter) — you (casual/intimate)

Respect Language

• ครับ (kráp) — polite particle for males
• ค่ะ/คะ (kâ/ká) — polite particle for females (statement/question)
• Adding these particles shows respect and good manners

Key Vocabulary

• ผู้ใหญ่ (pûu-yài) — elder / adult
• เด็ก (dèk) — child / younger person
• เคารพ (kao-róp) — to respect
• สุภาพ (sù-pâap) — polite