via Thai PBS, 14 March 2024: Thailand’s Ministry of Education is preparing to propose the “Wai Khru” ceremony, a traditional Thai ritual of paying respect to teachers, for inclusion in UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list. The centuries-old ceremony, which symbolizes gratitude and respect from students to educators, is celebrated annually at the start of the academic year.
Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob said today that the ministry will take about six months to work out all the details to support the proposal, before its submission to UNESCO.
The “Wai Khru” ceremony has been held in Thailand since ancient times for students to show their gratitude and respect for their teachers. It is held annually on the second Thursday of June, which marks the opening of the first semester of the academic year.
