"Wai" Recognised as Part of Thai National Identity

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: Wikimedia

 

The Thai government has officially recognised the "wai" gesture as a key part of national identity. The Cabinet's decision aims to preserve and promote this traditional greeting, which holds significant cultural value in Thailand.

 

The "wai" gesture, characterised by pressing the palms together in a prayer-like fashion, has been an integral part of Thai life for centuries.

 

While its origins trace back to India through Buddhist, Brahmin, and Hindu influences, the Thai "wai" has evolved to carry unique nuances, reflecting the nation's heritage.

 

Deputy government spokesman Karom Pholpornklang highlighted the gesture's long-standing presence and its deep-rooted symbolism in Thai society.

 

"The 'wai' has developed in diversity, profoundness, and expressive meaning that make the Thai-style ‘wai’ unique," noted Karom during a press briefing.

 

The approval aims to embed this practice further into the fabric of Thai culture, ensuring it is carried forward by future generations.

 

Previous governments have similarly endeavoured to preserve national symbols, recognising Thai elephants, the Ratchapruek flower (doc koon), and the Thai pavilion as elements of national identity.

 

The inclusion of the "wai" is seen as a continuation of these efforts to define and safeguard cultural icons.

 

While the gesture is omnipresent in daily interactions in Thailand, from casual greetings to formal expressions of respect, its official designation as a part of national identity serves both cultural and educational purposes.

 

Schools and cultural institutions will likely emphasise the significance of the "wai" in their curricula, strengthening its role and persistence in Thai society.

 

In an increasingly globalised world, such measures resonate with the public's desire to maintain distinct cultural practices.

 

This formal recognition stands to not only preserve a tradition but also bolster national pride and unity. 

Karom concluded by saying,

 

"The idea of making the ‘wai’ part of the Thai national identity is intended to create a unique identity and culture that will be passed on to future generations."

 

-- 2024-06-12

 

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[dinsdale]

Thailand the HUB of the Wai.

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

While its origins trace back to India through Buddhist, Brahmin, and Hindu influences, the Thai "wai" has evolved to carry unique nuances, reflecting the nation's heritage.

Sometimes used as a pathetic apology

[Srikcir]

Thailand - the Hub of a Retrograde Culture.

All citizens must learn their proper place in society.

[klauskunkel]

... and then there is the "graab", it has some unique nuances as well...

 

 

conditioning the kids to conform, obey and accept without question all in the guise of "respect"

[Gsxrnz]

Wai© 

[Tarteso]

Why a wai ? 🤔

[Bangkok Barry]

 

Many Thais might be surprised that the wai is not exclusively a Thai thing, but practiced in many parts of Asia.

[lordgrinz]

Still don't understand the "wai", respect is earned, not given. There are very few people I have ever met in Thailand that I would even think deserve one.

[MalcolmB]

I prefer it than shaking someone’s dirty hand, and find it more comfortable when greeting females that often try to hug and kiss me in the UK.

 

nice part of Thai culture but of course will be bagged on this forum by the usual muppets that can not bring themselves to say anything positive about Thailand.

[bob smith]

How about the 500 baht fine?

 

bob.

[Callmeishmael]

Namaste all!

[bob smith]

6 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

nice part of Thai culture but of course will be bagged on this forum by the usual muppets that can not bring themselves to say anything positive about Thailand.

I will say something positive once I find something postive! 

 

Do you just say postive things for the sake of it? 

 

Bob. 

[Gottfrid]

They will have to add a second line in the recognition.

I wai made together with the handover of 500 baht, can magically make all your problem disappear.

[MalcolmB]

2 minutes ago, bob smith said:

I will say something positive once I find something postive! 

 

Do you just say postive things for the sake of it? 

 

Bob. 

Quite the opposite. I am just not a snowflake like you moaning about everyone and every little thing like a whinging old mole all the time. You really are not coping well.

 

I don’t wai farangs but if I met you I would be wary of shaking your filthy hand and would much prefer to wai you from a distance and give you a fake smile to be polite.

[bob smith]

Just now, MalcolmB said:

Quite the opposite. I am just not a snowflake like you moaning about everyone and every little thing like a whinging old mole all the time. You really are not coping well.

 

I don’t wai farangs but if I met you I would be wary of shaking your filthy hand and would much prefer to wai you from a distance and give you a fake smile to be polite.

Give us a kiss, love. 

 

Bob. 

[Gottfrid]

20 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

like a whinging old mole

Would you please elaborate on this one a little bit. I find it very hard visualize.

[jaywalker2]

44 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

Still don't understand the "wai", respect is earned, not given. There are very few people I have ever met in Thailand that I would even think deserve one.

Not in Thailand. In Thailand respect is given on the basisi of status. If you only respected people who were competent, the country would be in chaos.

[ikke1959]

A new item for the World Heritage list, as they thry to put everything on it

[petedk]

3 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

Many Thais might be surprised that the wai is not exclusively a Thai thing, but practiced in many parts of Asia.

 

I think all over the world. many people use it, but more as a type of "thank you"

 

[John Drake]

Better than shaking some hand that you don't know where it has been.

[NorthernRyland]

Wai, bum gun and eating with a fork and spoon like a savage are my favorite parts of Thai cultures.

[NorthernRyland]

11 minutes ago, John Drake said:

Better than shaking some hand that you don't know where it has been.

They're both good to know and should be adopted both ways. Ever shake a Thai persons hand? It's like a wet noodle. 

[NorthernRyland]

4 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

Still don't understand the "wai", respect is earned, not given. There are very few people I have ever met in Thailand that I would even think deserve one.

fair enough but it's more about being polite most of the time. I always wai my landlord and various other older people whom I'm friendly with. It's reciprocal and builds social capital because when you're older they do it for you too. I think it's lovely tradition of theirs.

[Denim]

4 hours ago, Gsxrnz said:

Wai© 

 

Wai not ?

[john donson]

a smile in your face and a knife in your back, a hand on your gold chain (lol) and the other on your wallet

[NoDisplayName]

6 hours ago, Tarteso said:

Why a wai ? 🤔

 

Wai not.

[Aussie999]

8 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

I prefer it than shaking someone’s dirty hand, and find it more comfortable when greeting females that often try to hug and kiss me in the UK.

 

nice part of Thai culture but of course will be bagged on this forum by the usual muppets that can not bring themselves to say anything positive about Thailand.

The worse muppets are the muppets who call others muppets  for expressing their opinions  on a country that  sorry  is not perfect, in fact has major problems. Si  from one muppet, to another muppet.... grow up.

[proton]

What about corruption, nepotism and soi dogs?

[Paris333]

Thai  recognised the "wai" gesture as a key part of national identity furthermore the expression "Wai" save Thailand from coronavirus.

THAILAND DISPATCH
No One Knows What Thailand Is Doing Right, but So Far, It’s Working
Can the country’s low rate of coronavirus infections be attributed to culture? Genetics? Face masks? Or a combination of all three?

Source:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/16/world/asia/coronavirus-thailand-photos.html