Etiquette in Phuket, Thailand

In the huge chinese new year festival going on in downtown Phuket, I could see all the lights hung up twinkling like stars. There were people scattered around everywhere, and you could smell the aroma of food floating through the air. There were kids running around like swarms of bees, and I admired the beautiful costumes different people were wearing. I could hear all the music and the popping of fireworks as I walked down the crowded street. I was looking for a place to eat while walking down the street when I saw a little kid crying on the ground. I went to go help the little boy up because i felt bad for him. I helped him up and I tried to make him stop crying by patting his head. The little boy just looked up at me and started freaking out. He tried to hit me but I backed away from him and he just ran away! It was one of the most embarrassing things ever so I just walked away wondering why he went crazy. Later in the night I realized that Thai people say you aren't supposed to touch a kids head at all because it's the most sacred part of the body, and if you do touch it you just take that sacredness away. Coming from San Diego didn't help me remember this piece of ettiquete because we don't believe that at all in our society. Patting kids on the head is a pretty normal thing to do, but I guess in Thailand it isn't at all. I'll never forget that next time I take a trip to Thailand!