We're back! It's Pim and Rin again. We noticed the kids at Ban Thap Luang School practicing for Wai Kru ceremony on Thursday, so we thought we would give a little more insight on why Thai people perform this ceremony. Teachers' Day Observation, or Wai Kru, which literally means paying respect to your teachers (Wai as in clasping your hands together, and Kru as in teacher), usually on the first Thursday of the first semester of school, is a special day in which children gather to show their love and gratitude for all they have been given and to wish upon their teachers good health, wealth and other blessings. Traditionally, children form and decorate pedestal trays with different, common flora, each having a significant scholarly meaning. We've listed a few here: The usual product just looks like the cover photo or other shapes, like animals. But nowadays, new generations get creative and include other, education-related things to modern pedestal trays - or just going out of their way ENTIRELY (trust us, there are some wacky ones out there) - pictured below:
Then after recitals, class representatives line up to give each teacher's pedestal tray, each with its own bunch of candles and incense. As shown in the video, it's one of the most heartfelt school moments of the year. Last but not least, we'd like to take a moment to be grateful for all that teachers have done for us. Teachers are not limited to schools. They can be your parents, grandparents, friends, family, or the elderly. They pass on wisdom, morals, experience, and the strength and guidance we need to get through hard times. Teachers don't just provide educations, but they shape us to be better people. Wherever our teachers are now, we wish them all the best.
We hope you'd enjoyed reading our post of another look into the history of Thai culture and that you will take some time to reflect on the teachers in your lives and how others can learn from you - and maybe, in a way, you will become a good one too. Pim & Rin
1 Comment
Julie
6/13/2018 06:13:15 am
Hi Team Thailand! I am LOVING your blog posts and watching your project come to life and also all of the ways in which community engagement is unfolding. Keep up the incredible work and keep the fantastic posts coming!
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