5 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

I don't "wai" anybody.

A nod of the head and a decent smile to acknowledge them seems to suffice to the people I come into contact with daily.

I agree, i cringe when i see any farang wai people.

These two clowns apparently know nothing about Thai customs and traditions. Perhaps they wanted to create a buzz on the internet, like TikTok or some other nonsense. For the restaurant, it's obviously a godsend to be able to benefit from such free publicity. Between themselves, they must be laughing at the spectacle produced by these two oddballs. I suppose they'd even be capable of waiing a stray dog. As we say back home, ridicule doesn't kill.

1 hour ago, Thingamabob said:

A wai on the knees in Thai culture is strictly reserved for royalty. certain monks, and occasionally a victor in conflict. This performance by these two guys will have embarrassed the Thais, and will have made them feel very uncomfortable.

Knee Wais are common after muay thai fights. They probably went to the muay thai and copied that.

25 minutes ago, vangrop said:

These two clowns apparently know nothing about Thai customs and traditions. Perhaps they wanted to create a buzz on the internet, like TikTok or some other nonsense. For the restaurant, it's obviously a godsend to be able to benefit from such free publicity. Between themselves, they must be laughing at the spectacle produced by these two oddballs. I suppose they'd even be capable of waiing a stray dog. As we say back home, ridicule doesn't kill.

Well look at the drama on here. Their channel would get a boost.

How dare these farangs not study Thai waing before their visit. Next thing you know posters who have lived here for decades and still can't count to ten in Thai will come on line and mock and criticize them.

These young men had their hearts in the right place and had been regular customers at the restaurant, so they got a mostly positive reaction on line. Unfortunately farang who use the wai incorrectly IRL may not be so lucky.

Performing the wai incorrectly or under the wrong circumstances makes a foreigner look like a fool.  In the worst case, an incorrect wai can even cause offense.  Avoid the downside risk by skipping the wai entirely.

Many years ago I attended a briefing by the Thai Foreign Ministry for foreign journalists covering the Diamond Jubilee of King Bhumibol.  A protocol officer with the Ministry said the wai was never expected from a foreigner and was best avoided under all circumstances by temporary visitors to the Kingdom.  He specifically mentioned tourists on holiday or people on business as never needing to wai a Thai subject.

He explained that if any of us encountered or were introduced to the King or any member of the Royal Family, we should absolutely NOT attempt a wai, but greet them in the same manner as we would a European monarch.  That means a slight bow of the head from men and an abbreviated curtsy for women.  A more formal bow or curtsy wasn't necessary because none of us were Thai subjects.

The protocol officer did give some circumstances in which it would be appropriate for foreigner to perform a wai, but said  these examples rarely or never applied to temporary visitors.  A foreigner who is married to a Thai subject might want to learn the correct way to wai elderly members of his or her spouse's family. Non-Thais who are Buddhists should learn the correct way to wai a monk, but that wasn't necessary.  They could use the same gesture of respect commonly done towards monks in their own country.

He also said that a foreigner who is a long-term resident of Thailand and is deeply involved in "everyday"  life should learn the correct use of the wai.  He gave the example of a foreigner who speaks Thai and works full-time with Thais.  

Bottom line:  Tourists don't need to worry about the wai and should avoid it. Only attempt it if you know how to do it correctly.

6 hours ago, BMW Overlander said:

You go down on your knees and wai to lower social and educational class Thais, and they will treat you like $hit.

The lads were on their way home , so any "lower social and educational class Thais" planning on doing that would have to be quick about it

Harmless enough but still very cringey

I think they would prefer a brown envelope !

This is absolutely adorable!

I'm quite very happy the Tik Tock Netizens gave their resounding approval.

Thailand is awesome and my day is already going better, just from reading this uplifting story.

13 hours ago, vangrop said:

Perhaps they wanted to create a buzz on the internet,

Maybe they just wanted a free burger!

10 hours ago, Jim Blue said:

I think they would prefer a brown envelope !

Why would the staff need to be bribed with a "brown envelope"?

On 7/14/2026 at 11:20 AM, PJ71 said:

I agree, i cringe when i see any farang wai people.

You do not shake hands with everyone in the West? In many Muslim countries, people place their hand over their heart. In Thailand, you wai. Customs vary depending on who you are with and which country you are in. It is good manners to do what the locals do and not be a total embarrassment.

I do not wai everywhere I go, but when meeting people or being introduced to someone, I wai. It is also good to know how to perform a wai properly, so you show the necessary respect to the person you are meeting or being introduced to.

On 7/14/2026 at 7:03 AM, JustinTyme said:

You are correct, this is 100% disrespectful. The Thai staff is confused, being polite, and tolerating this shameless click bait influencer BS. The Wai he is using is only for Royalty, Monks, and Images of Lord Buddha.

You chart, "The Wai Hierarcchy" has missed a Wai. It's the drunken foreigner Wai. 😂

On 7/14/2026 at 10:45 AM, Emdog said:

My guess is they are from Scotland, or similar European country famous for inedible food. Hagis anyone?

Imagine their shock being introduced to food that has taste, and good taste. One time took Thai gf to dinner thing with Norwegian community. She asked "Why does this food have no taste?"..... "You can't get further from spice lands than this without getting closer".

Hagis is good. Have you tried it?

Can't get any sillier than that. That's embarrassing, and they probably weren't even drunk 🤣

On 7/13/2026 at 3:43 PM, Screaming said:

Idiots, obviously have no idea what they are doing. Respectable Thai people do not wai restaurant staff no matter how good the food was. These idiots most likely will get diarrhea on the plane ride home.

We wai to the staff at our regular restaurant when we arrive, including the chef and owner. There is nothing wrong with that. It is about time, place, and knowing the culture. There is nothing wrong with waiing in Thailand at all. It only becomes wrong if you do it to mock someone, just as calling someone “Sir” can be respectful or sarcastic depending on the situation.

3 hours ago, Hummin said:

It is about time, place, and knowing the culture. There is nothing wrong with waiing

It's not about wat you do, it's about wai you do it

6 hours ago, Hummin said:

You do not shake hands with everyone in the West? In many Muslim countries, people place their hand over their heart. In Thailand, you wai. Customs vary depending on who you are with and which country you are in. It is good manners to do what the locals do and not be a total embarrassment.

I do not wai everywhere I go, but when meeting people or being introduced to someone, I wai. It is also good to know how to perform a wai properly, so you show the necessary respect to the person you are meeting or being introduced to.

I was taught to always stand and shake hands which i did for many years.

Now i seldom meet people which is my preference, when i do i merely nod and smile which is reciprocated well.

I'm not religious but am familiar with how muslims greet each other and in general i find the majority of them amongst the most polite and generous people i have spent time with.

I do not wai.