184 | Culture Ways of Life and Wisdom
Although Muay Thai’s main purpose is a self-defense, it remains art and science which
can take down enemy’s lives like in the past for maintaining the kingdom’s sovereignty and it
has developed into sports as in the present. Therefore, the foundation of Muay Thai practices
must be built on self-discipline, tolerance and solidarity. There are Wai Khru rituals: Khuen Khru
ritual (paying respect to the teacher), Khrop Khru ritual (admission to the art) and Wai Khru ritual
(paying respect to past and present teachers), to remind the practitioners of upholding moral
standards and good behaviors.
The stances of Wai Khru Muay Thai
• Prostration: kneel down, put hands together in salute, then
prostrate on the floor 3 times.
• Kop Phra Mae Thorani: Spread both hands, sweep the
Mother Earth (sweep the floor) as far as possible. When
holding hands together, open the palm of hand up and
pull both hands to the chest.
• Tha Wai Bangkhom (offering obeisance): stretch out both
hands to the front, raise them up to the forehead level and
chin up. Look at both hands, lower them to the forehead
and touch the face. Raise both hands to stretch arms and
lower the hands.
• Phrom Si Na Nang (sitting 4-faced Brahma stance): dance
in the stance of Sot Soi Mala (roll the fists 3 times), flip the
body backward, move left and right while still dancing Sot
Soi Mala.
• Yang Sam Khum (three-step boxing walk): stand straight
and put the palms of the hands together in salute, posing
Thep Nimit (angel offers auspice), raise left knee upright,
place left hand on the left leg. Lift right hand, bent the
arm, raise the fist to the cheeks close to the chin. Put left
foot down, step right foot to the right. Raise left hand up
to the cheek to close the chin, place the right hand on the
left leg, switch to the left foot and step to the left. Raise
right hand and follow the previous steps and walk in an
even pace.
• Phrom Si Na Yuen (standing 4-faced Brahma stance):
Yang Sam Khum (three-step boxing walks) and dance in
different stances, such as Sot Soi Mala (make a flower
garland), Phra Ram Phlaeng Son (Rama shoots the arrow
string), Hong Hoen (swan flies).
“Wai Khru Muay Thai (Paying
respect to Muay Thai teachers)
Wai Khru is a graceful tradition
of Thai people to commemorate
the benevolence of teachers and
masters who sacrificed to transfer
accumulated knowledge, parents,
virtues of the Buddha, angels and
scarcities. The stances of dances
must be correct and beautiful.
Wai Khru rites must be performed
before the fight every time, together
with musical accompaniment during
the rite and the fight. The music
instruments comprise Pi Chawa,
Klong Khaek and Ching. This offers
blessings and boosts morale of the
fighters. The dances and fights along
the ritual music are not only arts, but
also beautiful traditions of Thai people
passed through generations which it
should be sustained.”