Why do you Wai?

In the midst of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival

For those of us who are new to Asia and especially Thailand, you have probably noticed the joining of the hands in a prayer-like gesture or the "wai" being frequently used by local people but found little or no guidance as to who, when, where and how to "wai".

Let us help.

The wai is used both as a form of greeting and a demonstration of respect. In Thailand the height of the wai shows different degrees of respect.

1) Visiting a temple and / or a monk.

The correct height of this wai is slightly above your head. It requires that you lift your joint hands so that your thumbs rest between your eyebrows. 

2) Greeting or paying respects to parents, older relatives, someone of higher authority OR simply someone older.

The correct height of this wai requires that you lift your joint hands so that your index fingers are on level with the space between your eyebrows.

3) Greeting an equal in age or social status.

The correct height of this wai requires that you lift your joint hands to the level where your index fingers touch the tip of your nose.

The younger or lesser ranked person should be the first to wai – to which, in polite society, the older person responds by 'wai-ing' back; however if the older person does not return the 'wai' it is not considered a mark of disrespect - just not the best of manners ;) 

For the visitor to wai it is seen as being polite

 and there cannot be anything wrong in that.

              

Phi Ton Mai: Spirits residing in trees

photo used with permission - timinphuket - King Rama IV Park

In case you drive throughout Thailand, you may see a number of trees that are wrapped in long pieces of coloured silk: WHY?

According to local belief, an old tree may contain powerful indigenous spirits which are usually benevolent or malevolent. The silk cloth is a reminder the tree contains a spirit thus warning other spirits, and others, of the need to find a different unwrapped tree.

Anyway, this is what I was told.

Then I was later told that in the early 1900s, a Buddhist Ritual (buad paa), became prevalent in Thailand. Environmentalists and NGOs organized and wrapped saffron-coloured monks’ robes around tree trunks as a way to ordain a tree. This meant that the tree was not to be logged! 

(ED: I prefer the first explanation).

              

cape+kantary – In Motion

During the festivities of Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek the new edition of cape+kantary arrived amidst the sailors and their boats.

The yachts were exciting to watch but in this edition there was a focus on – Thrill Trips: Kitesurfing (which we have had on Cape Panwa Hotel Beach), Whitewater rafting and Paramotoring.

There is also an article about the 10 most unique markets in the world and they admit that they haven't listed them all but their list is certainly interesting.

The article about how to prolong the battery life on your iPad will be helpful to many of our guests. (Ed – or you could turn it off Tim)

There are also a lot of suggestions as where to stay across Thailand and what to do whilst you are in that area. My next stay will be at Kantary Beach Khao Lak where I will visit Suwam Khua Cave Temple and play golf at Thai Muang Golf Club.

But please can I have a go with the Instagram Socialmatic camera? Or better still get some time off to explore the seas around Cape Panwa aboard the luxurious Panwa Princess as the writer of the cover story did - it's the latest package from Cape Yacht Charters, anyone want to try it let me know :)