Ceremony of World Wai Kru Muay Thai - Thailand

The World Wai Khru Muay Thai Ceremony is a must-attend event for fans of Muay Thai (the "real" name for Thai boxing) and Thai culture. Every year, always on March 17, practitioners from around the world gather in the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Siam to honor their masters through the Wai Khru ceremony, a ritual deeply rooted in the history and spirituality of this martial art.

A cultural and immersive festival

• Demonstrations of traditional styles of Muay Thai: Muay Chaiya, Muay Korat, Muay Thasao and Muay Lopburi.
• Artisan workshops highlighting sacred tattooing Sak Yant, yantra calligraphy and the forging of the famous Aranyik blades.
• Martial arts performances and demonstrations of self-defense techniques.
• Demonstration of the different types of historical muay thay.
• Gastronomic immersion with local Ayutthaya specialties: roti sai mai (sweet pancakes), traditional curries and pad thai.
• Impressive parade of masters and boxers, followed by the sacred headband ceremony and the Wai Khru Muay Thai ritual.
• Thai cultural shows to close the event.

Why attend?

Whether you are interested in Muay Thai or not, this is a unique opportunity to experience an incredible moment in the historical setting of the UNESCO-listed temples of Ayuuthaya. And above all, the World Wai Khru Muay Thai Ceremony highlights not the fights (there are some too but, it's almost secondary, I would say, here, it's the tradition, the ritual and even spiritual side of what has become the Thai national sport that is highlighted. To do at least once!

Note that since 2022, there is also the Amazing Muay Thai World Festival which is held, a month before in the province of Prachuap Khiri Khan at Rajabhakti Park near Pranburi. I have never attended it yet. Afterwards, Ayutthaya is more often the route of a trip to Thailand and easier to access from Bangkok and then it is the historical festival!