What do the gestures mean in Thailand?
Palms pressed together in front of the chest (Wai) can
indicate greeting, farewell, thanking, apologizing or respecting.
The higher the hands are held in relation to the face and the
lower the bow, the more respect the giver of the “wai” is showing.
The OK-sign (circle with thumb and index finger) indicates understanding.
Thumbs up indicates good deeds or success.
Thumb and index finger openly show under the chin
(specially for boys) represents smart or handsome man.
Thumbs and index fingers put together in a heart-like
shape in front of your heart indicates sympathy or love.
Thumb, small finger and index finger openly up in the air
with palm facing away from the speaker represents “I love you”.
V-sign (middle and index finger) with palm facing away
from the speaker indicates cheering or winning.
Palms placed together in the lap with thumbs joining each
other represents the gesture of meditation or “samadhi”.
Smiling often can cover different emotions: happiness,
respect, welcoming, anger, confusion, apologies or sympathy.
Bowing specially students for teachers or children for elderly
people when they passing by indicates respect, gratitude and politeness.
Hugging and kissing when greeting are uncommon in Thailand.
Hands on your hips are impolite and indicates impatience.
Legs and feet pointing to another person or a Buddha image
is very rude in Thailand.
Handshaking is uncommon except for close friends or colleagues.
Sitting higher than an older person is impolite.
Touching another person is very uncommon in Thailand;
specially on the head. Thais are not touch oriented society.
Staring is considered rude and a prolonged direct eye contact
is impolite and intimidating.
Pointing someone with fingers is considered insulting and very impolite.
Standing above an older person is uncommon and impolite.
Putting your feet on desks or chairs is uncommon in Thailand.
Palms pressed together in front of the chest (Wai) can
indicate greeting, farewell, thanking, apologizing or respecting.
The higher the hands are held in relation to the face and the
lower the bow, the more respect the giver of the “wai” is showing.
The OK-sign (circle with thumb and index finger) indicates understanding.
Thumbs up indicates good deeds or success.
Thumb and index finger openly show under the chin
(specially for boys) represents smart or handsome man.
Thumbs and index fingers put together in a heart-like
shape in front of your heart indicates sympathy or love.
Thumb, small finger and index finger openly up in the air
with palm facing away from the speaker represents “I love you”.
V-sign (middle and index finger) with palm facing away
from the speaker indicates cheering or winning.
Palms placed together in the lap with thumbs joining each
other represents the gesture of meditation or “samadhi”.
Smiling often can cover different emotions: happiness,
respect, welcoming, anger, confusion, apologies or sympathy.
Bowing specially students for teachers or children for elderly
people when they passing by indicates respect, gratitude and politeness.
Hugging and kissing when greeting are uncommon in Thailand.
Hands on your hips are impolite and indicates impatience.
Legs and feet pointing to another person or a Buddha image
is very rude in Thailand.
Handshaking is uncommon except for close friends or colleagues.
Sitting higher than an older person is impolite.
Touching another person is very uncommon in Thailand;
specially on the head. Thais are not touch oriented society.
Staring is considered rude and a prolonged direct eye contact
is impolite and intimidating.
Pointing someone with fingers is considered insulting and very impolite.
Standing above an older person is uncommon and impolite.
Putting your feet on desks or chairs is uncommon in Thailand.