Shopping

• Bargaining is an art long practiced in Asian countries including Thailand. So feel free to ask for a proper discount when shopping in places where prices are not marked.
• Be careful in dealing with sidewalk vendors who may not offer genuine goods at fair prices.
• Receipts should be obtained for the goods you buy. For jewelry you must get a certificate for guarantee as well.
• Some shops can offer a money-back guarantee but you should clearly determine all conditions with the shopkeeper beforehand.

Dining

• Major credit cards are also widely accepted in tourist centers.
• Most Thai food is already cut into small pieces before serving or made soft enough to be cut with spoon or fork;’ thus, a knife is unnecessary.
• Saltshakers are rarely found on Thai dinner tables, so add a little caramel-color fish-sauce (called nam-pla in Thai) instead, if you find your food not salty enough.
• English is spoken in large restaurants in tourist provinces; and most establishments have menus in Thai and English, except street-side food stalls and some small restaurant.
• Beckon waiters with a wave of a hand. Don’t clap, snap fingers or hiss.
• Normally, a tip of 10-20 Baht or 5-10% of the bill should be left when dining in a middle or high-class restaurant.