WAI KHRU RITUAL (Paying respect to one’s ‘masters’)

Wai Khru is a ritual during which individual Muay Thai fighters pay respect to their masters or teachers, including those who have passed on. This is an integral aspect of Muay Thai. To become a fully-fledged Muay Thai fighter, an individual is required to pass through a series of initiation rites.

The first of these being Kuen Khru — the Initiation as a Trainee Fighter Ceremony, in which the khru muay (Muay Thai master or teacher) accepts young fighters as his students and pledges to teach them to the best of his ability.Wai Khru Prajam Pii or the Annual Homage-Paying Ceremony is the second of these rituals. This culminates in Wai Khru Ram Muay – the Ritual Dance of Homage, which is performed by the fighters as a mark of respect.

When an individual has been through these three ‘milestones’ — initiation, training and participation in contests, they are then considered to be a Muay Thai fighter.

Khrob Khru — the Initiation as a Teacher Ceremony — is the fourth of the Wai Khru ritual. This bestows on Muay Thai boxers the rank of khru muay and again involves a performance of the Ritual Dance of Homage.

The Legend of Nai Khanom Tom – Tribute to a Muay Thai Folk Hero
Light and Sound presentation
Traditional Thai folk sports – Cock-fighting and Muay Tap Jaak
Nai Khanom Tom Invocation Ritual and Opening ceremony for the 4th World Thai Martial Arts Festival
Shopping and live demonstration of traditional Thai cottage industry or ‘OTOP’ products from each of the sub-districts (tambon) in Khon Kaen
Exhibition booths promoting tourism related products and services, spa products and services and aromatherapy

AN INTRODUCTION TO MUAY THAI THAI BOXING
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The Legend of Nai Khanom Tom

At the time of the fall of the ancient Siam capital of Ayutthaya in 1767, the invading Burmese troops rounded up a group of Thais and took them as prisoners. Among them were a large number of Thai boxers, including Nai Khanom Tom (Mr Khanom Tom).

According to various accounts of this legend, it is said that during a religious festival staged by the Burmese King in honour of Lord Buddha, the king called for a contest between ancient Thai Muay Boran versus the Burmese art Lethwei to determine the more superior form of martial arts.

Nai Khanom Tom was selected to fight against the Burmese champion. Nai Khanom Tom began by performing the traditional Wai Kru ritual to pay his respects to the Burmese king and the spectators, as is customary practice.

The audience was mesmerized by the unusual ‘dance’ which left the Burmese boxer bewildered. When the fight began, Nai Khanom Tom charged out, using punches, kicks, elbows, and knees. Confused and stunned, the Burmese boxer was defeated. The referee however stated that the Burmese opponent was too distracted by the Wai Khru ritual, and ruled that the knockout was not valid.

The King then asked Nai Khanom Tom to fight another nine Burmese champions to prove himself. He agreed and fought them all, one after the other with no rest periods in between. Following this feat, no one else dared to challenge him any further.

Impressed by his impressive performance, the Burmese king granted Nai Khanom Tom freedom. To commemorate Nai Khanom Tom’s extraordinary achievement, the Thai Martial Arts Festival and Wai Khru Muay Thai Ceremony is staged annually on March 17, and the day has been designated “Boxer’s Day” or “National Muay Thai Day”.