What is the “Wai”?
The Thai greeting is referred to as the wai. Because Thailand is the Buddhist country, the gesture of the wai that consists of a slight bow, with the palm pressed together in a prayer-like fashion, is, somehow, rooted from Buddhism which sometimes involves the clasping palms and bowing to the ground.
Thai wai is the gracefully greeting to show the respect to each other that exists in multiple versions of gesture based on social class, gender and age. For someone older or commanding high respect, the wai is by raising the clasped palm near the forehead and bowing a little. For someone younger, the wai in return is by placing the clasped palm near the chest. For monks of the highest respect, the wai is by placing the clasped palm near the head and kneel down to be in a lowered position to show the utmost respect. Therefore, this Thai wai is not meant to do to everyone you bump into. The gesture of wai can be near the head or chest, but the higher the hands are held in relation to the face and the lower the bow, the more respect or reverence the giver of the wai is showing.
When to perform the “Wai”?
The wai is traditionally observed upon entering formally a house. After the visit is over, the visitor asks for permission to leave and repeats the salutation made upon entering.
The wai is also performed when you are introduced to someone you meet at first time and you want to show respect to this person.
Usually, if the person being introduced is younger than you, your wai will be reciprocated to his/her wai, unless that person is of high respect to you.
The wai is also common as a way to express highly gratitude or to sincerely apologize.
What to say with the “wai”?
The word often spoken with the wai as a greeting or farewell is Sawasdee.
The word with the wai to express gratitude is “Kob Khun”.
The word with the wai to express apologize is “Koh Thoat”.
These are how the salutation of the Thai culture be function. As visitors when you are in the situation whether “to wai or not to wai”, just consider whether or not you want to show this person the most respectful form or salutation. However, during the New Year greeting of “Happy New Year or Sawaddee Pee Mai” can come with the wai to anyone you feel like to greet with this Thai wai. Enjoy Thailand wai gesture and “Sawadee”!
