Thais who have western partners will generally be more affectionate in public, holding hands etc, depending on where they are (ie in a place with lots of other westerners) because they have picked things up from their partners. Couples can be married and never tell each other they love each other.

Do Thai couples hold hands?

For you these are just souvenirs, for Thais it is their cultural heritage. * It is not polite to express your private affection by hugging and kissing your partener in public places. Holding hands is OK for foreigners, but rarely seen at locals.

Do men hold hands in Thailand?

Thais avoid public displays of affection. While straight members of the same gender often hold hands, or walk arm in arm (this includes men), youll rarely see a Thai man and woman acting this way.