The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is delighted to announce that this year’s World Wai Khru Muay Thai Ceremony in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, scheduled from 16 to 17 March, expects to welcome over 1,800 international disciples of the art of Muay Thai from over 60 countries from around the world.

The 14th annual event this year has added significance, as it falls on the celebration of Nai Khanom Tom Day on 17 March. He was an almost mythological Muay Thai folk hero and warrior who is also hailed as the ‘Father of Muay Thai’.

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of TAT, said: “The World Wai Khru Muay Thai Ceremony 2018 provides continuity that ensures the art form is being properly preserved and curated for future generations as many consider Wai Khru to be the ‘heart and soul’ of Muay Thai.

“Wai Khru is much more than a ceremonial kick boxing ritual, performance art or just paying respect to one’s teacher. It is an important part of Thailand’s cultural and martial arts history with origins that are traced back to ancient battlefields when Thai soldiers fought for independence, centuries before Muay Thai developed into a martial art for sport.”

As with all Thai local events and experiences sponsored by TAT, the annual World Wai Khru Muay Thai Ceremony 2018 features heaps of tasty Thai food, lots of quality handicraft shopping, Muay Thai boxing souvenirs and memorabilia plus free cultural and historical lessons for good measure.

Some of the more interesting Thai local experiences include the ancient arts of Yantra tattooing and Yantra calligraphy, plus Aranyik sword making from Ayutthaya’s famed sword village.

Thai martial art performances are interactive with audience members encouraged to participate in energy testing through ancient Muay Thai boxing drills that include kicking    a banana tree, punching limes and chopping water. Numerous Thai food stalls will be serving modern and retro-period interpretations on traditional Thai cuisine.

 

Photos from the press conference held this afternoon at the TAT headquarters in Bangkok

World Wai Kru Muay Thai Ceremony 2018 pressconf

Photo credit: Richard Barrow

 

Read More here

About the author

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get notified of our weekly selection of news

You May Also Like

200 million passengers by 2031: when Thailand thinks big

In order to meet the forecasts of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which predicts 200 million foreign arrivals in Thailand by 2031, the country plans to invest in the expansion of four of its main international airports

Thailand backtracks on Covid vaccination rule for visitors

Prior to an anticipated influx of tourists from China, where Covid-19 instances had increased, Thailand’s aviation authority had on Saturday announced the restrictions, beginning Monday.

Thailand to charge 300 bahts tourist tax starting from June

The fee will be cheaper for those arriving by water and land because they are likely to stay in the country for only a few days. Visitors who do not stay overnight, diplomats, and work permit holders will be exempted from the fee.