800 MUAY THAI FIGHTERS FROM 60 COUNTRIES ATTENDING 11TH WORLD WAI KRU CEREMONY IN AYUTTHAYA, THAILAND. NOW ON TILL 17 MARCH 2015

KEE@FSWMAG.COM

800 Muay Thai fighters from 60 countries to attend the 11th World Wai Kru Ceremony in Ayutthaya A total of 800 Muay Thai fighters from 60 countries have registered to attend the 11th Wai Kru Muay Thai Ceremony, scheduled to take place on 17 March, 2015, as part of the Nai Khanomtom Day, which will be held from 15-20 March at Wat Chula Mani, Wat Maha That and Wat Langkhakhao in the Ayutthaya Historical Park as well as at the Ayutthaya Provincial Sports Stadium in the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, about an hour’s drive north of Bangkok. The 11th Wai Kru Muay Thai Ceremony is being held to showcase some of the sacred rituals of Thai boxing, a martial art that has kicked itself into the world’s spotlight over the years and gained fans the world over.  The objective of this event is also to help people to understand the meaning of the Wai Kru ceremony, which is an important element of Thai boxing. The Wai Kru ceremony is a sacred ritual in which fighters show their respect to the Muay Thai masters. Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik, Governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said, “Thailand is the home country of Muay Thai, and the Wai Kru Muay Thai Ceremony and Nai Khanomtom Day form part of the many cultural assets that make Thailand a very unique destination.  "The event also corresponds with TAT’s 2015 Discover Thainess campaign, which highlights a range of tourism activities that allow tourists to immerse themselves in the Thai way of life, Thai culture and Thai experiences; such as, Thai boxing, Thai cooking and Thai dance” The Wai Kru Muay Thai Ceremony will take place on 17 March, 2015, at 18:00 hrs. and everyone is invited to see this artistic and often heart-warming display, as fighters show their dedication to their trainers and the ancient masters of the Muay Thai art. Prior to the sacred ceremony, there will be presentations from various Muay Thai camps and gyms, which offer everyone the chance to learn a little of the ancient art for themselves.  Visitors will also get the chance to observe craftsmanship demonstrations, Yantra tattooing and writing, Aranyik sword-making and Thai martial art performances. In the afternoon of the same day, the Amazing Mauy Thai Tournament will take place at Wat Langkhakhao (opposite Wat Maha That). Highlights include a special match between Buakaw Banchamek, a famous Thai welterweight Muay Thai kickboxer, against two Muay Thai fighters – Kaolan Kaovichit and Yodsingdaeng Jor Chaijinda. On 15-16 March, there will be a Nai Khanomtom Super Mini Marathon in honour of Nai Khanomtom, who was the most famous Muay Thai warrior of the Ayutthaya period and is greatly respected by Thai boxers to this day.  A ceremony to pay respect to the Nai Kanomtom statue at the provincial sports stadium will be held in the morning of 16 March. Last but not least, there will be Muay Thai classes, exhibitions highlighting the history of Muay Thai and Nai Khanomtom, and a Muay Thai tournament on 18-20 March.