Thais very rarely shake hands. Instead, they use the wai to greet and say goodbye, or to acknowledge respect, gratitude or apology. It’s a prayer-like gesture made with raised hands, and it changes according to the relative status of the two people involved. Thais instantly know which wai to use when, but for us farangs, we do our best to imitate the wai received! I was taught that placing the hands close to the chest with the fingertips below the chin is the safest way to go : the stranger’s wai. For an example, see Ronald McDonald and myself doing the wai!
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