Thailand is known as the Land of Smiles and Thai people always have a ready smile at hand. They are genuinely warm and giving people and put into practice the Buddhist way of life in everyday affairs. While not particularly well off, especially in the north and north east regions, nothing is too much trouble and they're happy to share food with you, even if they can't really afford it. If you learn a few Thai phrases before you go, this goes a long way to overcoming what can be a difficult language barrier. But just remember to smile and be respectful. Thai #people take note of your appearance, your attitude and how you conduct yourself. The culture is very different from western societies and is heavily centred on family and the Buddhist way of life, so try to learn something of the cultural norms before you arrive.