Pattaya’s Redemptorist Vocational School kicked off its fall academic term with a traditional “wai khru” ceremony in which students pay respect to their teachers for the upcoming term.
The school’s 200 students met July 5 – 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. Rev. Michael Picharn Jaiseri, acting director of the Pattaya Redemptorist Center, and Rev. Peter Patcharapol Srivorakul, head of the Father Ray Foundation, and teachers also attended the ceremony.
Students from Redemptorist Vocational College receive scholarships from Pol. Col. Dr. Yanyong Pattaloho, CEO of Thai Pipe Co., Ltd., during the annual wai khru ceremony.
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.
Following the presentation, teachers reciprocated by offering the students guidance for their academic careers and presented awards to the annual wai khru essay winners.
After the ceremony, Pol. Col. Dr. Yanyong Pattaloho, president of Thai Pipe Co., presented scholarships from its Withorn-Nuanpen Pattaloho Fund. There were four scholarships awarded, worth 4,000 baht. Recipients were Bunmee Danorachum, Sornlak Uppasak, Aathorn Sudsa-ngan and Sirilak Daengkul, all of whom were chosen based on their outstanding academic performances.
