The 15th World Wai Kru Muay Thai Ceremony 2019 at Ayutthaya Province on March 16 @ 1pm to March 17 @ 6pm

For the Muay Thai training, the first thing for all boxers to do is to perform the “Wai Kru” or respect paying ceremony which has long been observed until this day. The Wai Kru ceremony is to show the boxers’ regard and gratitude for their parents, the sacred objects, and the masters who have taught them, which brings auspiciousness to the boxers and makes their minds calm and mindful.

As for Muay Thai dance, it is to convey the specific characteristics of a Muay Thai master or camp. Muay Thai boxers who perform the same style of Wai Kru and Muay Thai dance will usually not fight each other since they understand that they have the same master. Moreover, the dance serves as a way to observe the adversary’s tactic, and warm up the boxers to relax from stress in body and mind and be ready for a fight or competition.

The World Wai Kru Muay Thai Ceremony held annually at the Ayutthaya Historical Park, allows the opportunity for hundreds of Muay Thai practitioners from around the world to express their gratitude to their masters in the time-honoured tradition known as the Wai Kru ceremony, as well as to celebrate the aged-old martial art of Muay Thai.

This year marks the event 15th edition, below is the programme for the two-day event.

→16 March, 2019 (Open to Public)←

14.00 – 18.00 Hrs. – Miracle Muay Thai Festival at Wat Langkha Khao (opposite Wat Maha That), organised by the Professional Boxing Association of Thailand and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

16.00 – 18.00 Hrs. – Demonstration of Thai handicrafts including Yantra tattooing, Yantra writing, Aranyik swords making, Thai martial art performance, and energy testing through ancient Muay Thai boxing drills; such as, kicking a banana tree, punching limes, chopping water, etc., Thai food stalls, and Muay Thai boxing souvenirs. Thai martial art performances: sword, pole, and sword fighting.

→17 March, 2019 (Open to Public)←

13.00 – 17.00 Hrs. – Miracle Muay Thai Festival at Wat Langkha Khao (opposite Wat Maha That), organised by the Professional Boxing Association of Thailand and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

15.00 – 17.30 Hrs. – Demonstration of Thai handicrafts including Yantra tattooing, Yantra writing, Aranyik swords making, Thai martial art performance, and energy testing through ancient Muay Thai boxing drills; such as, kicking a banana tree, punching limes, chopping water, etc., Thai food stalls, and Muay Thai boxing souvenirs. Thai martial art performances: sword, pole, and sword fighting.

17.00 Hrs. – Thai martial art performances: sword, pole, and sword fighting. Meet and greet with famous Muay Thai boxers.

17.30 Hrs. – The procession of the Chairperson of the ceremony, Muay Thai masters, and Muay Thai boxers to the ceremonial pavilion.

18.00 Hrs. – The ceremony to pay respect to ancient Thai kings and warriors who protected the sovereignty of the land; namely, King Naresuan the Great, Phrachao Suea, and Phraya Phichai Dap Hak, with a Wai Kru dance performed by all participating Muay Thai boxers.

19.30 Hrs. – Welcome reception.

20.30 Hrs. – Thai cultural performances “Amazing Thailand.”

21.00Hrs. – End of the ceremony.

Remarks: The welcome reception is reserved for invited guests only.

For more information, contact TAT Ayutthaya Office at 035-246-076-7, or TAT Call Center at 1672.

Text Credit : Tourism Authority of Thailand Newsroom
Photo Credit : TAT Ayutthaya Office