Thai: Wai Kru Ceremony at STA

Ajarn Pat provides a summary of the first Wai Kru Ceremony held at the High School campus of St Andrews International School Bangkok.

Pithee Wai Kru or the Ceremony for Paying Respect to Teachers is an important traditional rite in which students show respect and welcome teachers to help them learn at the beginning of each academic year.  This occasion gives students the opportunity to express their humility and appreciation to their teachers. It is believed that the ceremony will bring about an auspicious beginning to the new academic year. Therefore, on Thursday, 13th September, teachers and students from Year 7 to 13 assembled for the first Wai Kru Ceremony in the Sports Hall of the High School campus.

Mr. Paul started the ceremony by paying respect to the Triple Gem, the Thai flag and the portrait of King Rama the 10th.

This was followed by a traditional chant sung by Nina in Year 13 honouring teachers on behalf of all students. Two student representatives, Lily from 10e and Kim from 7f, read essays expressing what teachers have meant to them, and Mr Mick Callan shared his reflections on being a professional teacher.

The student representatives presented to their teachers decorated pedestal trays of flowers, incense sticks and candles or jasmine garlands as a means of showing their appreciation.

At the end, Ajarn Pat performed a traditional anointing on a set of encyclopedias and other books, and Mr Paul gave a closing speech for the ceremony. Mr Roo then shared his valuable thoughts to the students on the event before he dismissed the students for returning to their classes.

The Wai Kru Ceremony underlines the respect held for teachers in Thai society and acknowledges their responsibility as the second parents to their students. This relationship provides the foundation of success for students in their education but which ultimately relies on students’ commitment to work hard and do well in school.