6th WORLD THAI MARTIAL ARTS FESTIVAL AND WAI KHRU MUAY THAI CEREMONY

NAI KHANOM TOM DAY – TRIBUTE TO A MUAY THAI FOLK HERO

March 10 – 17, 2010

At the Ayutthaya World Heritage Site

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

cot'd at http://www.tatnews.org/events/events/2010/march/4639.asp

Hi Guys,

Has anyone attended the following event? And if so, could you let me know what types of events etc they ave having? As I am thinking of taking a ride up from Bangkok. Thnx