Wai : Traditional Thai greeting

Sawasdee is well know as Thai greeting custom mean "Hello" and/or "Welcome".
And when you see Thai's say Sawasdee they should brought his/her hands together and raise the palms to chest level and bend they head to they hands , This is a "Wai" that is a sign of greeting, make honor and give respect to some one in Thai custom.

For Thai people they are not do shake hands for greeting but "Wai" and also do Wai for mean thank you or even for meaning of apology.
When you be in Thailand you can see all Thai people alway used this "Wai" in their every day lives.

But you no need to do Wai to everyone.
Thai people just do Wai for the one they respect to, the most important is you should do Wai from your heart and must pay respect to the one you give Waiing to.
You don't have to Wai every one you meet in the street and You don't have to do Wai to your friend or someone younger, it make the younger fell uncomfortable to get you Wai except someone younger give you Wai first so you can return they respect by do the same "Wai" back to them.

So, if someone give you Wai, it mean his/her give respect to you, and for Thai manner we have to return they Wai by give them Wai back, that mean the receiver usaully do the same to the 'Waier'.

Trick to do Wai
There are many hidden sign of Wai in Thai custom, such as the way to Wai for respec to Buddha is diferrent from the way to Wai to people, but don't worry about it no matter you do right or wrong, just do Wai by feeling and meaning to Wai.

Thai people are friendly full and we still have a smilling face to the way you do no matter right or wrong and happy to see you try to do our custom.

By the way you shoud know, when Thai people smile or laughing it mean they feel good and happy, So don't feel bad or uncomfortable when people laughing on some thing you have done.