Unreciprocated Handshake Between Pm Anwar With Thai Girls Draw Scrutiny Pr Disaster Or Just A Small Issue

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IS IT really all glory and honor to hold the most coveted job in Malaysia? That job is no other than the Prime Minister of Malaysia and it comes with huge responsibilities.

Woe betide the person who fills such a seat for his every gesture and words are scrutinised and dissected by everyone, friend and foe alike.
Recently, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim drew some flak online for trying to shake the hands of several Thai ladies. They refused, instead, greeting him with a Wai gesture, pressing their palms together in front of their chest with fingers pointing up. 

Netizen @Solisidtor who brought the video to light said it was a shameful moment for the Prime Minister of Malaysia. The video has since caused some noise on the cyberspace. PR fiasco or merely a small issue to be shrugged away? 
Netizen @NafisahMohamed2 said it was the traditional way for the Thai to greet people and he should be embarrassed by the juvenile video.
“Keep finding the bad things about people, Sid. You don’t want to make noise about the good things that he did,” said @Tarbus_08. It seems the video is beginning to backfire on the person who posted it.

“You are so hardworking at finding the wrong and bad things about people. You are alone perfect because your brain is located at your knee,” added @MohdSharip71052.

“Can you confirm that your mom and dad never touched a non muhrim? Or you have never performed Umrah or Haj,” said @dzarul43. Away from the bashing and flaming, the video is a nudge to better understand the traditional Thai greeting.
“A Wai indicates the level of respect for another person and is an acknowledgement of seniority,” said the Cultural Atlas. According to the website, a person should bow their head with their palms pressed together to indicate respect. The depth of the bow and the level of the hands represents the level of respect. 
Whilst this form of greeting is still widely used, the younger generation are not as rigid in their adherence to the customary Wai.
A senior person may politely Wai in return for a person who is younger or subordinate to them. This is usually done with their hands at chest level (fingertips not touching the face) and only a slight bowing of the head, resembling a nod. This Wai, known as a ‘rap Wai’, is an acknowledgement of the other person. — Focus Malaysia

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