Thailand

While Thai culture is marketed overseas as a tourist friendly, “anything-goes destination” where normally outlandish behavior is celebrated, most Thais are traditional and conservative.

There is a great cultural divide between the Bangkok urban area and the more conservative and rural regions of northern Thailand.

Travelers should be respectful around important Buddhist temples and shrines, should avoid wearing shorts or sleeveless shirts at temples or religious sites, and also avoid touching locals on the head or hair, as the head is the most sacred part of the body in Buddhism.

Thailand is well known for its culinary practices and the Thai people are very proud of their cooking. Take a Thai cooking class and eat some delicious food.

Visit an elephant sanctuary to play with and make friends with elephants.

Go the Night Bazaar in Chiang Mai to get all of your Thai clothes and souvenirs.

Treat yourself to a fish pedicure for an unusual but surprisingly pleasant experience.