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2 Southeast Asian countries named among world’s most polite destinations

Sandy Verma | April 6, 2026 3:24 PM CST

By Hoang Vu &nbspApril 5, 2026 | 10:22 pm PT

Tourists from China dressed in traditional Thai costumes pose as they visit Wat Arun, known as the Temple of Dawn, in Bangkok, Thailand, Nov. 21, 2024. Photo by Reuters

The Philippines and Thailand, two Southeast Asia’s tourism hubs, have appeared in a list of the world’s 23 most polite destinations based on a survey from U.S.-based financial services provider Remitly.

The Philippines ranked sixth with a politeness score of 2.3% after Japan, Canada, the U.K., China and Germany.

Thailand came in 19th with a score of 1.15%.

The report highlights how simple gestures, such as greeting strangers, offering assistance or showing patience, can shape how welcome a person feels in a new country.

These small yet meaningful gestures play an important role in shaping the country’s positive image on the global stage, the Philippines news site Inquirer reported.

Thailand has long been known as “The Land of Smiles,” a phrase that has come to symbolize the country’s warmth, hospitality, and cultural charm.

To compile the ranking, Remitly asked 4,697 participants from 26 countries around the world based on their perception of their own politeness, and also where they have traveled and been welcomed by polite people.

It then calculated the total number of votes each country received and ranked them by the highest percentage share.

Remitly said perceptions of politeness and friendliness could vary across cultures.

In a statement, Ryan Riley, vice president of marketing at Remitly, said that moving to a new nation is easier by “positive everyday interactions that share whether someone feels welcome or not.”

“Small acts of courtesy, whether that’s patience over a language barrier, or giving up a seat on public transport, can have a real impact on someone who is starting over thousands of miles from their home,” Riley said.