The 'Wai'

In Thailand, the "Wai" is not only a gesture used to greet people, it is also a sign of respect.
It is a gesture that is used to demonstrate the importance of Thai values and attitudes, and is believed to be one of the most important social customs of Thailand.

       Socially the use of  "Wai" openly demonstrates the superiority rule. When people meet, the socially "inferior" person takes on an inferior position while the socially "superior" person assumes a physically superior position.

Types of Wai

         There are different types of Wai to show respect in different degrees. While greeting a person in Thailand using a Wai, one usually joins the palms together. However, the degree of respect comes from bowing of the head. The lower the head is bowed, the greater the respect.

    * If the Wai is done with the hands close to the body and the fingertips reaching neck level but not higher than the chin, it means that the greeting is either between equals or strangers who are still not aware of each others position in society. 

    * A socially superior person will return the greeting to socially inferior person by joining the hands and keeping them close to the body with the fingertips reaching the neck level. The head will be kept straight or slightly inclined.   

    * If the head is bowed and the fingertips are just above the tip of the nose, this means that the socially inferior person is showing respect to a socially superior person.    

    * When the forehead is lowered to the base of the thumbs and the body is also bent at the waist, it means that the respect is being shown to the King, monks, temples, spirit houses and statues.

         In Thailand, the "Wai" is used to greet people, to thank them, and also for goodbye. For a foreigner, it can be quite confusing. Therefore, when you are visiting Thailand, the best advice is to Wai when someone else Wais you, or you can smile and nod your head.