Wai Kru

Wai Kru is a demonstration of the pupil?s respect and gratitude to his teacher in submission to the teaching training. Wai Kru is traditionally practiced by Thais of various professions and arts, e.g., dancers, sword fighters, musicians, as well as academic students, and of course Muay Thai boxers are no exception. "Wai" means to pay respect by putting both hands together in front of the chest. The demonstration of Wai Kru does not only imply paying respect to the present teacher, but also includes homage to all the teachers of the discipline.
Wai Kru ceremonies are preferable held on Thursday, which is believed to be the teachers?s day. On that day, pupils present certain offerings, usually flowers, money, cloth, etc., to the person who has accepted them as his students. The pupils make a vow that they will study seriously and patiently, respect him and behave fairly to their fellow students and will use the knowledge gained properly.
Wai Kru is called Kheun Kru (the initial ceremony of paying respect to the teacher). Subsequently. they will pay respect to their teachers ceremonially each year, which is called "Yohk Kru" But whenever the pupils intend to use the knowledge taught to them. they will always start by paying respect to their teacher; this action is called Wai Kru or Bucha Kru (to pay respect to a teacher).
In Muay Thai, the boxer will always preface the fight with Wai Kru and this tradition is still practiced nowadays. This ceremony is usually performed to rousing Thai music from pipes and drums, and with the initial Ram Muau (the boxing movement). The Wai Kru and Ram Muay are useful, since the boxer gains encouragement from paying homage to his teachers and feels that he is not on his own: he has his teacher and the other teachers of the discipline to support him. The Wai Kru process will also give him time to concentrate and revise what he has learned, as well as display the nature of his weapons and the high degree of his skill. The steps, movement and use of his weapons are designed to warm up the body?s muscles, survey the field of play, and conceal the contestant?s style of fighting.

Hong Hern
After being in sitting manner until standing up in Dhepnimitra manner and then turn to the right.
Step 1: raise the right foot and straight it backward. Standing on your left foot. Bend your body to the front. Start to perform the dance by sprawling your arms, kneel down while turning the face side of your palms down.
Step 2: kneel up and bend up the wrist to raise up the fingers.
Step 3: lay your right foot on the floor then straight your left foot backward, continue to perform the dance alike the flying bird. The movement of body, arm and palm must correspond with the music.
Step 4: lay down your left foot then "Yang Sam Khum" (walk powerfully in three step) to change the direction. By turning you around to the "left direction" then step out your left foot, bend your body down to " wai " the "Pra-Bhrama-tis" (the direction of Bhrama ) at the left side just one time. Repeat to perform the " Hong-Hern" dancing styles by starting the first step to the third step again but in the fourth step you must turn to the backside "Wai Bhrama" and then repeat to perform the dance. The last time turn to the front side. (which is the original direction while you sit in the "Dhep Pha-nom" form) And then "Wai-Bhrama" perform the dance called "Hong-Hern" and "Bhrama Si Na" then you play "Yang Sam Khum" and bend your body down to salute your counterpart. It is the finish of the "Wai Kru" and the dance called "Hong-Hern".

Yoong Fon Hang
To perform "Yoong-Fon-Hang" style, you must start from "Wai Kru" from the sit form called "Dhep Panom" to the stand form called "Dhep Nimitra" respectively.
Step 1: turn your body to right side, Wai Pra Bhrama for one time.
Step 2: step out your left foot forward. Raise up your right foot then straighten it backward bend down your body forward simultaneously. Put the hands together in salute at the chest level.
Step 3: turn the face side of your palm upward and slowly move your arms go through the armpits to the backside of your body until your arms are straight. All of tip fingers are closed together.
Step 4: move your hands out to the side of the body alike straighten your arms. Then move it round to come gathering at your face. Lift your chest and your face up while your hands were put to touch your head, while your right legs still stretch backward.
Step 5: hold down your right foot to stand straightly. Raise up your left foot then straighten it backward. Stand on your right foot and then repeat the step 1- 4 (it's just switch the right side to be the left side). Repeat to perform the dance for all 4 directions. Then get back to the corner with "Kow Yang" and bend down your body to salute your counterpart.

Yoong Ram Pan
To perform the "Yoong Ram Pan" style.
Starts with "Wai Kru" from "Dhep Panom" form and other form respectively until raise to stand up in the "Dhep Nimitra" form.
Step 1: turn around your body to the front direction "Wai Pra Bhrama" one time.
Step 2: step out your left foot forward. Raise your right foot and straighten it backward bend down your body to the frontward simultaneously. Which your hand clasping at the chest level.
Step 3: turn the face side of your palm upward and slowly move your arms backward through the armpit to the backside of your body until your arms are straight, move your hands out to the side of the body alike straighten your arms and move it round to come gather at your face. Repeat this way three times.
Step 4: move your right legs perpendicular to the floor. Raise the right foot up.
Step 5: raise your left foot and straighten it backward, repeat the step 1-4 and then perform the dance the same way in every direction. Then go back to your corner with "Kow yang" manner, bend down your body to salute your counterpart.

Sod Soi Mala
To perform the "Sod Soi Ma-La" style, starting with "Wai Kru" in sitting "Thep -Panom " until standing up in " Dhep-Nimitra".
Step 1: turn round your body to the right direction. Perform "Wai Phra Brahma" one time.
Step 2: step out your left foot forward. Raise your right leg and straighten it backward, lift it to the same level of your chin. Bend your left arm perpendicular to the floor. Stretch the tip of your fist up.
Step 3: insert left fist up inside of the right arm and beyond it up until right elbow parallel to the level of your chin.
Step 4: repeat the third step but change the right arm to be the left arm instead.
Step 5: repeat the steps 2-4 but change to stand by your right foot instead.
Step 6: repeat the dance for every direction. And then "Kow Yang" and bend down to salute the counterpart and go the your corner.

The King Rama Pheang Sorn
To perform the "Phra Rama Plang Sorn" style.
Phra Rama Phlang Sorn style generally perform the dance just one direction. It's the direction of the counterpart.
Step 1: turn round your body to the right direction. Wai Phra Brahma one time.
Step 2: step your left foot frontward raise your arms alike you catch an arrow rod in your left hand.
Step 3: move your right hand to the backside alike you pick an arrow from your neck to the rod. Then pull the tendon backward 2-3 times but act alike not release the arrow repeat this for 2 time but in the third time you perform alike you lift the rod up high at the level of your ears. Stand still look straight at your target then release the arrow.
Step 4: while your release your arrow lay down your right foot on the floor and raise your left foot up frontward simultaneously. After that raise your hand at above the face. Act alike you are looking at the arrow you released. And waiting to see the result. If you are disappointed at the result cause from the mistargeted shot. You express by shaking your head right and left. if you are pleased with the result then you smile and nod your head up and down to show your appreciation.
Step 5: you say the prayer "Sake Ka-Tha" such as "Na Jung Ngung" three times. And then stamp down the floor three times.
Step 6: "Yang Sam Khum" to your corner then bend your body down to salute the counterpart.

Payak Dom Kwang
To perform the "Payak Dom Kwang" style.
Start with Wai Kru from the Dhep Phanom form until stand up with the Dhep Nimitra form.
Step 1: turn round your body to the right direction to wai "Phra Brahma : the right direction" for one time.
Step 2: from the Kow Yang, while the left foot is front, bend your body down frontward tighten the fist, raise your elbow to block the front side and instantly turn around to look at the backside which is look at the counterpart , the right arms and right foot are behind. Nod your head up and down to the counterpart one or two times
Step 3: repeat step 2 but switch the use the right foot front instead. And then repeat the step 2 and 4, which turn to perform until complete all 4 directions. Then go back to your corner with "Kow Yang" and bend body down to salute the counterpart. The "Payak Dom Kwang" and " Kwang Leow Lung" perform similar style.

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