Thai Superstitions
Tourist guides correctly advise not touching Thai people on the head. It is considered the most sacred part of the body, while the foot is the dirtiest. So, you should avoid pointing your feet at anyone. When sitting in front of a monk, keep your feet pointed to one side. These rules are seen more as marks of politeness than superstitions to be heeded.
In my experience, a friendly pat on a child’s head won’t raise any frowns or objections. But, some books suggest you avoid any head contact. One of the few parts of the body you can’t hit in Thai boxing, Muay Thai, is the head.
Thais not visiting hairdressers on Wednesdays is a popular superstition. You’ll never find an authentic barber’s shop open. Cremations are not held on a Friday. No one seems to know why. Not having sex on your birthday or a Buddha festival is said to be an important superstition. I’ve never had the courage to ask and establish whether Thais follow that or not. They’d lie to me anyway, I’m sure.
I queried the superstition of not giving handkerchiefs as presents. Some said they’d never heard of that one. Two said it wouldn’t bother them. Thais may tell you they don’t believe in these old superstitions; in practice they take care to observe them.
We have superstitions in the West. I’ve always thought the rule of not inviting thirteen guests to a dinner party was less to do with the number of disciples at the Last Supper and was more likely due to most canteens of cutlery being sold in boxes of twelve. Some superstitions have rational explanations.
Not taking plants or images from a wat is said to be a superstition. It probably has more to do with not creating bad karma. Wat Umong in Chiangmai suffered a spate of such thefts, then found the broken idols and statues returned a few days later. A twinge of conscience or the result of a strong belief in superstitions?
Others that I have heard of include, hearing the sound of a gecko during the day brings bad luck, don’t destroy a bees’ nest if built in your home, accidently touching the hand of another when passing food forecasts the arrival of a guest.
Do you know of other superstitions? Comments are always welcome. They help to encourage readers to become part of a continuing conversation.
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