Thai culture is heavily influenced by Buddhism. However, unlike the Buddhist countries of East Asia, Thailand's Buddhists follow the Therevada School, which is arguably closer to its Indian roots and places a heavier emphasis on monasticism. Thai temples known as wats, resplendent with gold and easily identifiable thanks to their ornate, multicolored, pointy roofs are ubiquitous and becoming an orange-robed monk for a short period, typically the three-month rainy season, is a common rite of passage for young Thai boys and men.

Some traditional arts popular in Thailand include traditional Thai dancing and music, based on religious rituals and court entertainment. Famously brutal Thai boxing (muay Thai), derived from the military training of Thai warriors, is undoubtedly the country's best known indigenous sport.

The Wai (Thai: ไหว้), it is the common form of greeting and the way you can give respect to an elder. The wai is also common as a way to thank someone or apologize. So the wai is both a sign of respect as well as a greeting. People do the wai by raising both hands, palms joined with the fingers pointing upwards as if in prayer, lightly touching the body somewhere between the chest and the forehead. The higher the hands are held in relation to the face and the lower the bow, the more respect the giver of the wai is showing. The person who is junior in age or status is the first one to offer the wai and the senior person returns the Wai, generally with their hands raised to their chest. The word often spoken with the wai as a greeting or farewell is sawasdee (Thai: สวัสดี). Phonetically, the word is pronounced "sa-wat-dee".

Songkran is a Thai traditional New Year, which's celebrated every year from April 13 to April 15 but the date varies in some locations. What started off as polite ritual to wash away the sins of the prior year has evolved into the world's largest water fight, which lasts for three full days. The most obvious celebration of Songkran is the throwing of water. Water pistols and Super Soakers are advised and are on sale everywhere. The best places to participate are Chiang Mai, the Khao San Road in Bangkok and holiday resorts like Pattaya, Ko Samui and Phuket. Be advised that you will get very wet, this is not a spectator sport. It is advisable to wear dark clothing, as light colors may become transparent when wet. The throwing of water, however, was not always the main activity of this festival. Songkran was traditionally a time to visit and pay respects to elders, including family members, friends and neighbors. People celebrating Songkran may also go to the temple to pray and give food to monks. They may also cleanse Buddha images from household shrines as well as Buddha images at monasteries by gently pouring water mixed with a Thai fragrance over them.