The usual rule for most wai is bring your hands up to your face with the top of the thumbs at nose level. Then bow a little. If I was you, I would just smile and nod if you don't know the people. But, if they wai you first then wai them back in the same way. Never do it quickly. Always slowly. Also, if you are meeting someone you know you should show respect or you know are important then wai them first.

Try this short video of me doing a wai:

http://www.thailandlife.com/video/wai.WMV

Right click on the link and choose "save target as" to save to your hard disk.

A wai question
 

Hi!

Pretty soon I'll have the honor to meet Thai people, and I would like to impress them by greeting them "the Thai way", that is, with a wai. The only problem is, I don't know how to do one properly. http://www.thailandguidebook.com/iB_...ns/biggrin.gif Soo... if anyone here would help me out, I'd really appreciate it. Thank you! http://www.thailandguidebook.com/iB_...cons/smile.gif

Thank you very much, Nattawud! It helps a lot to actually see how it is done, so now I can practice and practice! http://www.thailandguidebook.com/iB_...cons/smile.gif

I know these people fairly well, and I am pretty sure they will be pleasantly surprised when I'll greet them this way. http://www.thailandguidebook.com/iB_...cons/smile.gif

Thanks again.