Pattaya-area schools engaged in their annual rite of summer as students paid respect to teachers with the traditional “wai khru” ceremony.
Phothisamphan Phitthayakhan School and Pattaya School No. 11 gathered at their respective schools on June 12 – a Thursday, as that is the day for Brihaspati, the Vedic god of wisdom and teachers – to perform the wai khru, which is done in most Thai educational institutes at the start of each year.
Principal Visanu Pasomsap led the ceremony at Phothisamphan for junior- and senior-high school students while Principal Jirasak Jitsom did the same at the public school. At both, parents and teachers also attended.
Pattaya School No. 11 students prostrate themselves before their teachers and school administrators as a sign of respect at the beginning of the school year.
The festivities began with a Buddhist prayer, followed by the students’ recitation of the wai khru chant, which expresses respect and gratitude for the teachers and asks for their blessing of the students’ studies. A number of students then presented teachers with a tray of candles, incense and flowers symbolizing sharp wit and respect.
Students at Pattaya School No. 11 prepare to perform the annual wai khru ceremony.
Students performed the traditional wai khru flower-presentation song before entertaining guests by playing traditional Thai musical instruments and singing a mix of Thai and English-language songs.
The pupils at School No. 11 extemporized, mixing in hand-created artwork using pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, carved fruits, various leaves, eggplants and more unique items.
Students at Phothisamphan Phitthayakhan School participating in the activity walk through the school’s “white fence” with their flowers, as white is the signature color of the school.
