With what's happening in the country now, this centuries old custom may have to be re-thought?
Who initiates one, who returns one, how high or low the hand position when giving or receiving is all based upon a person's perceived position in the social class structure.
Much different than a hand shake or simple head bow which doesn't discriminate against any one participant.
Should the Wai be changed to reflect equality between all Thai people? Pete
I chose the below link as it's the only one I could find quickly that mentions the "social status" aspect of the custom. All the others seem to ignore this critical factor. You can find more explanations by searching for 'Thai wai'.
Well, got into this one with the wife driving back from dropping the daughter off at school and you would have thought I started WW III. It took me three attempts to make the concept sink in and once it did, the counter offensive started and like to bury me!
Regardless of the logic behind it and the equality issue, she said not even the staunchest Red Shirt would opt to change the custom as it is now. Personally I have problems believing that. Pete
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
I never thought of the Wai as a class thing (even though I know it is in some aspects), but more (in my family at least) as a show of respect for one's elders much like saying yes "sir" or yes "mam" to an elder in the U.S. when you are young and addressing an older person or when addressing a person of authority like a policeman, politician, or one's boss at work. I think of it as being a gesture of politeness rather than being discriminatory and it is an important part of Thai culture imo (like bowing in Japan).
Besides, being somewhat of a germaphobe, I like it better than shaking hands. I don't like people touching me (in a non-sexual way)!
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
I agree with that hhfarang. From what I can see here in the UK it's the one bit of discipline all Thai mums install into their children from a very young age. Most kiddies will give you a wai (when told) from about 6 months old. Once they've got it, it stays with them. Eventually it becomes second nature.
Contrary to it being a sign of social class, these kids grow up to believe it's a sign of respect to their elders. It's not a thing they use in every day life, but it always comes out of the box when they meet other Thai families.
Next we'll be saying they must eat with a knife and fork
RICHARD OF LOXLEY
It’s none of my business what people say and think of me. I am what I am and do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. It makes life so much easier.
I don't have the experience you guys have in Thailand - I've worked there for several years, travelled etc. but do not have the insight that comes with a wife/familly...... I have that to a certain extent in China.
What I would say from my limited experience, is that (as HHF posted) it is a sign of respect to elders or authority, and quite frankly something that the UK could do with! Please do not do away with it - I see it very much pro rather than negative.
"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things" - Yma o Hyd.
richard wrote:Next we'll be saying they must eat with a knife and fork
That was probably the best answer!
'We're' not saying anything. A hypothetical question was raised because of the class struggle that is now starting here, and that we'll have to live with for a long time as it all gets sorted out. The Wai is a symbol of greeting, but also a sign of class structure, to the degree in the past that some Wais were on the knees with hands and arms raised up and over the head while bending backwards. No, that was not exclusively given to royalty, but from slave to master as well. It's evolved from there.
I can assure that no Red Shirt leader at the 'resort' in HH is giving anything but a neutral Wai to Army generals or government officials who come to visit, whereas in the past in their normal lives and daily activities before this all started their Wai would have been different and more respectful.
Anyone with the opportunity, try to talk to some Thai people about it to get their viewpoint. Pete
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
During my early informative days in Thailand (1992), I was a Project Manager for a UK company working on the Thai Railway Network (SRT)
I often visited the various sites that we were working upon in the company of my opposite number, the Manager of the Signalling and Telecom department of SRT. A senior officer of SRT who received many High Wai’s from all the Thai personnel on site. He always responded with a lower Wai.
With the notable exception of one older guy, who always received a very high Wai in response.
In my ignorance I queried as to why this was being done.
My opposite number said something like “ Whilst that old man is way down the pecking order of SRT when compared to my position, HE is the man that taught me almost all I know during my younger days – I owe him immense respect and THAT’s why I give him a high Wai.
I like the wai thing just how it is and it's a good way of showing respect.
Last year at the Bournemouth Thai festival a Thai diplomat made a speech with the mayor and joked with the croud that to wai is far more healthy to do than a hand shake because of swine flu, and he encourage that everyone should try doing this at there work to avoid catching the virus, I suppose he did have a point.
Kendo.
Is Bangkok a place or a nasty injury.......Eric Morcombe.
got into this one with the wife driving back from dropping the daughter off at school and you would have thought I started WW III. It took me three attempts to make the concept sink in and once it did, the counter offensive started and like to bury me! 
