TAT to support the 12th Wai Khru Muay Thai Ceremony in the heart of historical Ayutthaya

BANGKOK – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced its continued support for the annual World Wai Khru Muay Thai ceremony in Ayutthaya, which is now in its 12th year. Scheduled to be held on 17 March, this year’s event will once again allow Muay Thai boxers from Thailand and around the world to pay respect to their teachers and for visitors to celebrate and learn about this ancient Thai martial art.
 

Mr. Noppadon Pakprot, TAT’s Executive Director for Events department said, “Muay Thai is an important part of Thailand’s culture, and now has followers all over the world. This annual World Wai Khru Muay Thai ceremony in Ayutthaya will allow visitors to experience the sacred Wai Khru ceremony, which is the most charming element of this ancient martial art. Held in the heart of Ayutthaya, Thailand’s ancient capital, the Wai Khru ceremony shows visitors the huge respect Thai people have for their trainers and teachers.”
 

The Wai Khru Muay Thai ceremony is an age-old tradition that sees Thai boxers show gratitude and respect to their trainers with a “wai” – which in Thailand is both a greeting and a way of showing respect to seniors and superiors. This is followed by the fighter performing a series of dance-like movements accompanied by traditional music.
 

Since 2004, boxers from all over the world have come to the ancient Thai capital of Ayutthaya to perform the ceremony and pay homage to the statue of Nai Khanom Tom, a Thai hero who was famed for his victories over ten Burmese fighters in 1774, after the sacking of Ayutthaya.
 

The 12th World Wai Khru Muay Thai Ceremony will take place on 17 March, 2016, at the Ayutthaya Historical Park, and there will be activities from 13.00 to 19.30 Hrs. around the central temple Wat Langkha Khao. A Miracle Muay Thai Festival, hosted by TAT and the Professional Boxing Association of Thailand will allow visitors to learn about the history of Thai boxing and its fighting techniques. There will also be displays of sword making and traditional Thai tattoos as well as live music shows and exhibition fights by students from some of Thailand’s many boxing camps.
 

The much-anticipated Wai Khru Ceremony itself will take place around 17:30 Hrs. when local and international fighters and boxing masters will proceed to Wat Mahathat to pay their respects to famous Muay Thai fighters from Thai history including Nai Khanom Tom and King Naresuan the Great. The evening will come to an end with an Amazing Muay Thai show.
 

In response to high interests from Muay Thai boxers and enthusiasts as well as local and international visitors, there will be Thai boxing matches and the Wai Khru Muay Thai competition at Ayutthaya Provincial Sport Stadium from 18-20 March, 2016, from 17.00-20.00 Hrs. Entry is free.