The Wai
The traditional Thai greeting is the called the “Wai.”
This is pronounced similar to the English word, “why.”
The Wai is a formal gesture performed by pressing your palms and fingers together at upper chest level and gently bows your head towards the person you are greeting, as shown in the image to the left.
The higher your hands are on between your chest and the top of your head, the higher the respect is being given. The image to the side is of an election winner thanking everyone who voted for her, she is showing great thanks and respect for her supporters.
The Wai is initiated by the person of lower social status to a higher ranked person. Then, the receiver returns the Wai unless there is a large difference in rank.
As the Wai is a gesture to show respect to equals and superiors, you should not give a Wai to hotel and wait staff. Similarly, if a Wai is not given to you, you can shake their hand as an acceptable greeting if you are unsure of the person’s status.
However, the Wai is not a requirement to do business in Thailand; handshake is accepted as well.
Men and women each have their own way of greeting people in addition to the Wai:
Eye Contact
When dealing with superiors and those you wish to impress, indirect eye contact shows respect. However, when talking with peers direct eye contact is preferred.
The traditional Thai greeting is the called the “Wai.”
This is pronounced similar to the English word, “why.”
The Wai is a formal gesture performed by pressing your palms and fingers together at upper chest level and gently bows your head towards the person you are greeting, as shown in the image to the left.
The higher your hands are on between your chest and the top of your head, the higher the respect is being given. The image to the side is of an election winner thanking everyone who voted for her, she is showing great thanks and respect for her supporters.
The Wai is initiated by the person of lower social status to a higher ranked person. Then, the receiver returns the Wai unless there is a large difference in rank.
As the Wai is a gesture to show respect to equals and superiors, you should not give a Wai to hotel and wait staff. Similarly, if a Wai is not given to you, you can shake their hand as an acceptable greeting if you are unsure of the person’s status.
However, the Wai is not a requirement to do business in Thailand; handshake is accepted as well.
Men and women each have their own way of greeting people in addition to the Wai:
- Men say "Sawatdee-krap"
- Women say "Sawatdee-kah"
Eye Contact
When dealing with superiors and those you wish to impress, indirect eye contact shows respect. However, when talking with peers direct eye contact is preferred.