: If speaking to someone who may be considered to have higher status than you (teacher; boss; girlfriend’s parents, etc), is older or the first time you meet:
**สวัสดี (sawasdee) + ครับ(khrap)/ ค่ะ (kha)- *standard greeting + polite gender particle
**หวัดดี (wat dee) + ครับ/ ค่ะ( khrap /kha)- Still polite because of the particle, but less formal.
** สบายดีมั้ย (ngai + sabai dee mai) – how’s it goin? all goodฦ
**How ไหว้ “Waay” in Thailand
การไหว้ (gaan waay) – wai (noun) the act of wai-ing
ไหว้(waay) – to wai (verb)
**There are three types of waay
A waay gesture with the tips of the thumbs placing betwween eyebrows while bowing, performed to show respect to Buddhist monks.
A waay gesture with the tips of the thumbs placing at nose tip while bowing, performed to show respect to the senior people inculding parednts and teachers.
A waay gesture with the tips of the thumbs placing at chin while bowing, performed to show respect to people of similar ages.