Which greeting is commonly used in Thailand?

The commonly used greeting in Thailand is characterized by the traditional act of a slight bow combined with pressing the palms together in a prayer-like gesture known as the 'wai.' While shaking hands does occur, especially in more formal or business settings, it is not as culturally significant or prevalent as the wai. The wai conveys respect and is an integral part of Thai etiquette, often influenced by the social status of the people involved in the greeting.

Hugging is generally reserved for close friends and family, and it does not hold the same cultural meaning as the wai. Bowing alone, without the accompanied gesture of pressing palms together, lacks the proper recognition of the tradition behind the greeting. Nodding is generally informal and does not carry the same level of respect or cultural significance as the wai. Thus, while shaking hands might be observed, it isn't the greeting that embodies Thai cultural values as well as the wai does.