Wai Kru
The first thing that is required for
practicing Muay Thai is the performance
of ritual homage and dancing that is called
the Wai Kru. All boxers must perform this
homage before starting their daily practice.
MuayThai is regarded as
a field of martial art and science that
has been developed from generation to generation
since the establishment of the Thai nation.
Muay Thai is therefore a mixture of all
good things and indicates the long-lasting
and civilized culture of the nation.
According to the tradition
of MuayThai, the ritual homage is the first
part of the competition so as to pay gratitude
and respect to the fighter’s trainer, the
opponent, the referee and judges and the
audience. In so doing the boxer believes
that luck will be on their side and he won’t
be afraid of anything.
The Wai Kru is performed
through dance. While the boxer is dancing,
he will observe his opponent and stretch
his body to get physical and spiritual relax
at the same time. The attitudes used in
the dance show the major techniques used
called Mae Mai to practice the basic skills
and balancing techniques.
Besides the performance
of ritual homage also shows the boxers respect
and gratitude towards his trainer. Wai Kru
will be performed in a tender manner according
to the trainer’s instructions. It indicates
the morality and ethics of the fighter.
Therefore the style will vary from region
to region and from trainer to trainer.
It is also a strategy used
to teach boxers to hold onto the unity and
fraternity of the team. Id the boxers perform
the same style of Wai Kru it means the same
instructors of the same camp taught them.
They won’t fight each other and the fraternity
will lead them in their loyalty to the king.
They must accordingly turn their faces to
where the king sits.
The boxers who come from
the northern region usually have strong
legs and therefore use vigorous and threatening
attitudes whereas the boxers from the south
use a gentler approach because they usually
defend in a more gentle manner. Boxers from
the Central region also have their own style.
Wai Kru style of
the Khorat camp.
Master Bua Wat-Im (Lt Bua
Nil- Archa) invented this style. It begins
with obeisance. This is because in ancient
times even the kings had to pay homage before
beginning a competition. It is now the tradition
for boxers to kneel and pay homage three
times before a competition.
Steps.
Step
1. - Stand upright and
then kneel down with the right foot
on the left one. Place ones weight
on the heels and put the hands on
each knee.
Step 2. - Put
the palms of the hand together
at the breast.
Step 3. - Draw
each hand apart and to the back
– with a straight arm.
Step 4. - Now
draw both hands together with
straight fingers and the arms
pointing to the ground. Bow and
put both hands together at the
breast.
Step 5. - Raise
both hands up tot touch the area
between the eyebrows with the
thumbs touching the forehead.
Bend the back and lean slightly
backwards.
Step 6. - Repeat
the first step.
Step 7. - Repeat
the above steps twice more and
place hands on knees. Stand up
with the left knee up and ready
for the next "attitude"
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Yang Sam Kung.
This is the original dancing
style of the Korat camp. This showcases
Muay Thai footwork and allows the boxer
to practice moving in the ring. Good footwork
enables the boxer to deliver punches, kicks,
knees and elbows in an efficient manner.
The Korat camp attacks and defense are illustrated
here – this is not the usual footwork seen
in international boxing. A boxer using this
style will stand with the body weight on
the front leg while standing on the ball
of his back foot. From this position the
boxer can lessen the attack of his opponent
and strengthen his own attack. It is more
flexible as the boxer has better balance.
(This is why it is considered as a basic
lesson for the beginner.)
It is performed in a series
moving towards 3 set positions. It requires
about 2 steps to move into the positions.
- A -
Step
1. - Stand upright, clasping
hands and place them together on
the forehead. The elbows should
be separate from each other. Use
the right foot to step forward.
Step 2. - Raise
the left knee and step forward at
an angle. Slowly place your left
hand on your left knee and place
your right fist in front of your
forehead.
Step 3. - Lower your right
hand to your hip and raise the left
hand to your forehead. (Twice)
Step 4. - Take
2 short steps forward with the left
foot for the 2 position.
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- B -
Step
5. - Now raise your right
knee and step forward. Put your
right hand on the knee and place
the left fist in front of your forehead.
Step 6. - Lower
the left hand down and raise the
right hand up to your forehead.
(Twice)
Step 7. - Take
2 short steps forward with your
right foot towards the third position.
Step 8. - Raise
the left knee at an angle and step
forward to the first position. Slowly
place your left hand on your left
knee and your right fist in front
of your forehead.
Step 9. - Lower
the right hand down and raise the
left hand up to your forehead.(twice)
Step 10. - Take
2 short steps forward to the first
position with the left foot.
Step 11. - Raise
the right knee at an angle and step
the second position. Set the right
foot and tilt it towards the second
position and then change to the
third position.
Step 12. - Raise
your left knee at an angle and step
forward to the second position.
Slowly place your left hand on your
left knee and your right fist in
front of your forehead,
Step 13. - Lower
your left hand and take a step forward
to the left. Put on guard and step
to the right. Step forward until
the boxer is in his own corner.
Then bow.
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- Prom Si Na. -
uses 4 directions – the first is the front,
the second is the back, the third is the
right and the fourth is left.
To begin, stand in the middle and turn your
face to the first direction.
Step
1. - Clasp your hand and
bring them together touching the
forehead. The elbows must be separate.
Step 2. - Take
a half-step forwards with the right
foot. Raise your left foot and place
the left hand on it. Place your
right fist in front of your forehead.
Step 3. - Lower
your left foot and take 2 steps
forward. Raise your right knee and
roll your hand slowly to the front
with the right fist in the guard
position and the left at the chest.
Step 4. - Lower
the right foot to the ground and
bend the knees and slowly turn to
the second direction. Raise your
left knee up and place left hand
on it. Your right fist should be
in front of the forehead.
Step 5. - Lower
your left foot and take 2 steps
forward. Raise your right knee and
slowly roll your hands to the front
with the right fist in the guard
position and the left at the chest.
Step 6. - Lower
the right foot to the ground and
bend the knees and slowly turn to
the third direction. Raise your
left knee up and place left hand
on it. Your right fist should be
in front of the forehead.
Step 7. - Lower
your left foot and take 2 steps
forward. Raise your right knee and
slowly roll your hands to the front
with the right fist in the guard
position and the left at the chest.
Step 8. - Lower
the right foot to the ground and
bend the knees and slowly turn to
the fourth direction. Raise your
left knee up and place left hand
on it. Your right fist should be
in front of the forehead.
Step 9. - Lower
the right foot to the ground.
Step 10. - Raise
the right foot at an angle to the
first direction. Draw the rolled
hands slowly in front and step forward
with the left foot to touch the
ground and then raise it up. Place
left hand on it and your right fist
should be in front of the forehead.
Step 11. - Lower your left
foot and change direction. Set on
guard and step forward to the boxer’s
own corner. Salute.
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Salute.
It is considered good manners after completing
a dance to give a salute. This is to show
the fighting spirit of the boxer. After
the fight – the winner decided by skill
and technique, both would still be friends.
Who was Kru Bua
Wat-im ?
He was born on May 15, 1897. He lived in
the Maung district of Nakorn Rajisima. He
started practicing MuayThai when he was
14 years old with Master Thon (a student
of Maeun Cha-ngad Chanengchok’s instructor)
In 1930, he became a teacher of physical
education in the royal army and retired
at the age of 60. After his retirement,
he still taught his students until at the
age of 93, he passed away.
