Wai khru

The rituals of wai khru are believed to have derived from ancient animistic beliefs, influenced by the spread of Brahminism from India.

Following this, a select number of students, usually the representatives of each class, will present the teachers with offerings of flowers, candles and joss sticks arranged on phan (traditional Thai pedestalled trays).

[1] Khon masks representing the gods and teachers of music, Bharata Muni, Pragondharba, Vishvakarman, Pancasikha and Biraba are usually displayed.

[1] The ceremony is conducted by a presiding teacher, traditionally dressed in white, who leads the assembly in lighting candles and joss sticks, and saying invocations to pay homage to the Triple Gems and venerating the deities, seeking for their blessing.

Wai khru ceremonies typically involve chanting incantations in Pāli, Sanskrit, and Thai, which frequently include passages of scripture honoring the Buddha.

Wai khru ceremonies are conducted privately by individual healers, and also can be large community events hosted by traditional medicine schools or other institutions.

[5][6] Some observers, particularly left-wing historians Nidhi Eoseewong and Sujit Wongthes, have noted that the modern annual wai khru ceremonies have drifted far from their spirit-worship origins and been transformed into rituals emphasizing the hierarchical status of teachers over students.