Teacher’s day observation (Pi Tee Wai Kru) and the Inheritance of Wai Kru Khon-Lakorn Leader according to the Royal Rite

Abstract

This academic article was to present the importance and value of the Teacher’s day observation (Wai Khru ceremony) including the inheritance of Wai Khru Khon-Lakorn leader. In every field of education, teachers and lecturers were the ones who taught and nurtured the students from generation to generation, so that, the praiseworthy tradition called “Phithi Wai Khru” (Teacher’s day observation) was created to express the respect to the honorable teachers.

Phi Thi Wai Khru was considered as the noble ancient tradition because its evidence had been first discovered at the beginning of Ratanakosin era and the tradition had been inherited last long under the great supports by the royal grace and merit of the Kings. This article also presented about the importance of the Teacher’s day observation of Khon-Lakorn, procedures, the inheritance of Wai Khru leader, the qualification of Wai Khru leader, time schedule, place, preparation, setting up the Khon masks, oblations and the offerings in Wai Khru-Khrop Khru Khon-Lakorn ceremony. As we can see, the Thai Dance performance in Khon-Lakorn for royal palace had strictly included the Wai Khru tradition and Khrop Khru Khon-Lakorn ceremony at all time. At present, the tradition was continued and the inheritance of Wai Khru leader to be the one who conducted the Wai Khru-Khrop Khru ceremony was still carried out with the strict selection and best qualifications.