Sawasdee

Sawadi

Sawadi, meaning hello or goodbye, is likely to be the first Thai word you pick up during your travels to Thailand. Ladies add a ka to the greeting, pronounced with a soft and lingering tone to express their femininty. Men add krab, spoken with a deep and resonant tone to emphasise their masculinity. Thai people do not say good morning, good evening or good night. They greet each other with a wai, which is a prayer-like gesture with palms raised. It is customary for the younger or lower in status to begin the greeting. There are various levels of wai: the deeper thewai the more respect is conveyed. When Thais wai to a monk they will completely prostrate themselves. Click through to read more aboutThai culture or the Thai language.