Thailand, "Land of Every Emotion can be Expressed by a Smile." Pleasant, definately. But, it makes it difficult to figure out when you're offending or pleasing. There was this foreign guy who would smack the tuk-tuk driver's head to make him go faster. Strangely, he said, the driver just kept smiling. Thai people often go to extraodinary lengths to be polite. You won't learn from them what is considered polite because that would be impolite. Here's a short list of what to keep in mind to avoid offending your Thai hosts.

DO NOT
-Unless you're intimite, on extremely good terms and ask permission first - do not, do not touch Thai people's heads.

-Feet are considered the lowest and dirtiest part of the body. If you cross your legs, point your toes downward so your feet do not point at anyone. Keep your feet off of furniture, people...or their heads.

-Do not talk about the King or the royal familly. For various degree of offense, from joking about the King to defacing images of the King, foreigners have landed an extended Thai language lesson (in prison).

-Monks are forbidden from touching woman. You'll notice that if a woman hands something to a monk, she will often put it down for the monk to pick up. If you take public transportation, there are some seats or sections reserved for monks.

-Although an open society, Thailand still has its conservative aspects. Keep PDA (public displays of affection) on the DL (down low).

-Don't gamble, even if you see other people doing it. Foreigners are treated differently here.

-Do not climb on statues or other sacred images.

-Do not ask a person or taxi to come over with your finger pointed upward. The proper way is to face your hand to the ground and move all your fingers back and forth. Just see what other people are doing.

DO

-Wear sleeves in Temples.

-Take your shoes off before entering a Thai house.