Celebrating the Ancient Martial Art of Muay Thai
Muay Thai is different from Western boxing in the diversity of offensive and defensive blows. This ancient Thai martial art is taught in many countries, which have introduced it as a regular sport.
A ceremony was held in Ayutthaya province, one of Thailand’s old capitals, to allow Muay Thai boxers from Thailand and around the world to pay respect to their teachers and to give visitors a chance to celebrate and learn about this Thai martial art.
The event, called "Wai Khru Muay Thai Ceremony,” took place on 17 March 2016 at the Ayutthaya Historical Park with a wide range of activities. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced its continued support for the annual World Wai Khru Muay Thai Ceremony, which is in its 12th year in 2016.
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The 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, Muay Thai boxers from all over the world have come to Ayutthaya to perform the ceremony and pay homage to the statue of Nai Khanomtom, who was the most famous Muay Thai warrior of the Ayutthaya period and is greatly respected by Thai boxers to this day.
According to TAT, the ceremony of Wai Khru itself took place around 5:30 p.m. when local and international fighters and boxing masters proceeded to Wat Mahathat to pay their respects to famous Muay Thai fighters in Thai history. The evening came to an end with an Amazing Muay Thai show.
In response to high interest from Muay Thai boxers and enthusiasts, as well as local and international visitors, there were Thai boxing matches and the Wai Khru Muay Thai competition at the Ayutthaya Provincial Sport Stadium from 18 to 20 March 2016, between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
TAT Executive Director for Events Department Noppadon Pakprot said that Muay Thai is an important part of Thai culture and that it now has followers all over the world. This annual World Wai Khru Muay Thai Ceremony in Ayutthaya will allow visitors to experience the sacred ceremony, which is the most charming element of this ancient martial art.
