Thai Wai

Santa Lady With Gift

Thai culture, Thai custom, Thai tradition.

Wai is Thai culture which show Thai politeness and the friendship, we do Wai when we greeting or leaving. We usually say "Sawaddee" which mean "Hello" while we do Wai. In Thailand, We pay respect and honor someone by doing Wai

We succeed to this traditional custom since Sukothai period (approx. A.D. 1238). Further more, Wai also mean thank and apologize too.

How to do Wai. 1. Palm your hands.

In Thailand we called "Pra-nom-mue" or "An-cha-lee". Palm your hands and closed your finger tips, high your hands to your chest and keep your elbows closed to your body. Moreover, you should do "Pra-nom-mue" when you talk to Priests and Royal family. 2. Bow your head.

In Thailand we called "Wai" or "Wan-ta-na". Bow your head, and high you palmed hand slightly until your index finger touch your mouth or nose.

Tips

There are many kind of Wai, we must concern status and occasion of people we do Wai to. 1. Monks/ Priests or Royal family

Bow your head, and high you palmed hand until your thumbs touch your forehead. 2. Teacher or Parents

Do the same as (1.) but your index fingers touch your nose (somebody gets their index fingers touch their nose when they pay respect to parents and touch their mouth when pay respect to teacher). 3. Ordinary people

Do the same as (1.) but your index fingers touch your mouth but keep your hands closed to your body.

Do you know? When doing Wai don´t do it just for politeness or Wai by courtesy. You should do Wai sincerely pay respect by your body and mind.

How to return Wai? If there is someone do Wai to you (pay respect to you) you should return Wai by Wai, do the same but do not bow your head just palm your hands.

From http://www.flixya.com/post/Pakpoom/215845/