Monks: no touching, no handing over

Thai monks live by a long code of rules, and one of them is avoiding physical contact with women. So if you are a woman, don't touch a monk, don't sit right next to him, and don't hand him anything directly: place it on the cloth he lays out, on a table, or pass it through a man. This is about the monk's vows, not a judgement on women. For everyone: wai a monk with your thumbs near your eyebrows, and don't expect a wai back; a nod or a blessing is the reply. Monks have reserved seats on buses, boats and trains, so give yours up without being asked. A young monk is หลวงพี่, an older one หลวงพ่อ.