International Conference on Neuroscience and Psychiatry

Greetings and courtesy

The traditional Thai greeting is the wai (palms together with a slight bow). A handshake is also fine in professional and academic settings, and seniority is respected, so greet senior professors and clinicians first.

Temples and royal etiquette

If you add temple visits around the conference, cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes before entering shrine buildings, and avoid pointing your feet at people or Buddha images. Respectful behaviour towards the monarchy is expected throughout Thailand.

Dress code for a Bangkok conference

Business or smart-casual dress works for neuroscience and psychiatry sessions. The main practical issue is temperature: outdoor heat and humidity contrast with strongly air-conditioned meeting rooms, so bring a light layer.

Money and payments

The Thai baht (THB) is the local currency. Cards are widely accepted in hotels, malls and larger restaurants, but cash is useful for metered taxis, street food and small purchases. Tipping is not obligatory, though rounding up or leaving small change is appreciated.

Food, water and mealtimes

Thai cuisine is available everywhere, and international options are plentiful in the Sukhumvit and Siam areas. Bottled or filtered drinking water is the safer choice for visitors, and hotel restaurants and conference catering are reliable for delegates on a tight session schedule.

Language and pace

Thai is the official language and English is widely used in hotels, hospitals, universities and conference venues. Build extra time into any road journey: Bangkok traffic, not distance, usually decides how long a trip takes.