"Thai time" and when it does not apply

Among friends, a meeting time is often a gentle target. Fifteen or thirty minutes late is common, and Bangkok traffic (รถติด) is everyone's honest excuse. A LINE message saying กำลังไป (on my way) sometimes means 'leaving soon'. Nobody makes a scene, and you shouldn't either: a smile and ไม่เป็นไร keep the cool heart that Thais value. But don't stretch this to everything. Doctors, immigration offices, banks, exams, job interviews, flights and trains run on the clock, and government offices often stop for lunch from noon to 1 pm. With a Thai boss or a teacher, arriving ตรงเวลา (on time) shows respect. If you are late, say ขอโทษที่มาสาย first, and add the reason after.