The new smoking ban in Thailand bars and restaurants is in effect and from what I have observed the law is being treated like any other law in Thailand. What I mean is, some establishments have already set up smoking areas, others say you have to smoke outside the restaurant or bar, and others are ignoring the law altogether. The reason for ignoring the ban could be that it will not really be enforced for a couple of months. Instead of stiff fines being issued, there will be warnings and education until the end of May, 2008.

I am currently visiting Khon Kaen, Thailand and go out almost nightly. I haven’t been to any bars but I have visited quite a few restaurants. One of my favorites, La Mai, has set up a smoking area near the restrooms. Smile restaurant allowed me to smoke at the table. And, Bu-Sa-Ba restaurant has a small, covered smoking area in the rear of the restaurant. I am not sure how the major tourist areas, Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket, are going to respond or what the impact on tourism will be. I would guess that starting on June 1, 2008, there will be a crackdown to show people that the government is serious about the ban. So, if you are planning to visit the Land of Smiles, and you smoke cigarettes, make sure to ask if it is OK to smoke before you light up. Otherwise, you may have to pay dearly.

Thailand is a country with a complex cultural fabric and set of codes for appropriate social behaviour and to the average western visitor, this can present an interactive environment that is diversely different from what they might be used to at home. Whether you are visiting Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket or even some remote village it’s good to know a few cultural polities. Much like the rest of SE Asia, there is the concept of ‘saving face’ under which values such as self respect and respect of others in the social hierarchy are paramount. Adhering to these social codes is what allows Thai society to function smoothly and to offer less conflict and episodes of violence than is the norm elsewhere. Buddhist beliefs contribute significantly to what is considered acceptable behaviour in Thai society, contributing to a solid set of social mores that are followed by the majority of its members. Conservatism and discretion are at the heart of these mores, dictating that individuals shy away from extremes of behaviour, less risk offending others. Don’t go topless in Phuket, or insult the locals in Chiang Mai with inappropriate behaviour. Displays of affection in public places are not part of Thai society and while the holding of hands between partners is gradually gaining more acceptance; kissing or even more intimate exchanges are certainly likely to cause locals to offer looks of disapproval between themselves. Related to this is the concept that sex in Thailand is very much something that should stay in the bedroom and visitors would be wise to take note of this, particularly with regards to their dress which should be modest and not a blatant advertisement of their sexuality.

The concept of ‘face’ is integral to everyday living, equating to pride and self respect and the preservation of it for one’s own benefit and the benefit of others. Thais will go to great lengths to ‘save face’, manipulating situations, speaking gentle untruths or avoiding saying anything at all for fear of compromising the pride of others or having their own pride compromised. For visitors, perhaps the only applicable aspect of this complex concept is that pertaining to displays of anger. Losing your temper in public only results in loss of face to yourself which will bring no resolution to the situation. Publicly drawing attention to the shortcomings of others will result in their loss of face which is even less likely to provide you with a favourable outcome. The sensible visitor shrugs his/her shoulders, says “mai pen rai” (it doesn’t matter) and walks calmly away from the situation.