Jingjok
The monarchy: respect, and the law
nai-lǔang
The monarchy holds a special place in Thai life. Portraits of ในหลวง and the royal family hang in homes, offices and streets. Before films in cinemas the royal anthem plays and the audience stands; at 8 am and 6 pm the เพลงชาติ plays in stations and parks, and people stop where they are. Banknotes and coins carry the King's image, so never step on money to stop it rolling away. Thailand's laws protecting the monarchy are among the strictest in the world, carry long prison sentences and apply to foreigners too, including what you post or share online. The simple rule for guests: show respect, stand when others stand, and avoid commenting on the royal family.
Try this today
Next time you're in a station at 6 pm, notice the anthem and stand still with everyone.
The words that carry it
Learn this in “Merit, monks and luck” →
Your first 90 days of Thai
Culture cards in Jingjok are tied to the words that carry them, each ending in one thing to try today.
- WEEKS 1–2 · SURVIVEGreet anyone, pay, and order food and 7-Eleven exactly how you like it.
- WEEKS 3–6 · SETTLE INGet around by taxi, Grab and skytrain, find anything, and handle your landlord.
- WEEKS 7–12 · RUN YOUR LIFEPharmacy, bank, SIM and apps, how you feel, and a weekend away, all in Thai.
The first week is free.