Final answer:
The traditional gesture in Thailand for greeting, thanking, or apologizing is called the Wai, involving a slight bow with hands pressed together. It is deeply embedded in Thai culture and seen on many public and religious occasions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The traditional gesture in Thailand used with a slight bow as a greeting to say "thank you" or "sorry" is called the Wai. This gesture is rooted in Thai culture and has a significant place in everyday interactions. It involves placing the palms together as in prayer at chest or nose level while bowing the head slightly. This act of respect can be observed in various ceremonies as well as in daily life. For instance, during the Loy Kratho.ng festival, which is celebrated in part as an apology to the goddess of the river, participants can be seen performing the Wai. Similarly, the hands of the Tongil Daebul statue, depicting a revered Buddhist figure with half-closed eyes in a meditative state, are positioned in a mudra, which is another form of a symbolic and respectful gesture similar to the Wai. The statue's mudra symbolizes enlightenment and reveres the teachings within the Buddhist scriptures (Tripitaka) as well as the holy Buddha's sari.