In Thailand, it’s quite common to see female office workers walking along the street hand-in-hand during their lunch-hour. It’s a part of Thai culture where friends, especially female friends, will hold hands with each other. And age isn’t a factor; from kindergarten to university to the workplace, Thai women think nothing of holding hands with their female friends. If you spend at least 30 minutes waiting at any airport, bus terminal or shopping mall in Thailand I can almost guarantee that you will see Thai women (usually on the way to get something to eat!) holding hands.
And the tactile approach can also apply to Thai men too. Although it’s less common to see Thai male friends holding hands with each other, don’t be surprised to see them placing hands on knees or a friendly protective arm round the shoulder like the young monk in the photo below.
