If you happen to be an American teacher in Thailand, odds are you’ll be at least a little weirded out by Wai Kruu Day. Today I with the rest of homeroom teachers for M3 (grade 9) were put on a stage. The students sat cross legged on the floor in front of us. They sat by class. Each class formed a straight line running from the front of the room to the back.
The ceremony opened with the lighting of incense and the waiing (greeting/bowing) of an alter-esque thing.
Next students (corresponding in number to the front row of teachers) came forward walking on their knees carrying VERY elaborate flower arrangements. Once each teacher had a student opposite them, the students set down their flowers in unison, they bowed face to the ground in unison, then they presented their flowers in unison. After a little more bowing the students (still on their knees) made their way off stage. Then the teachers changed places so that new teachers were seated in the front row, and the whole thing began again.
The whole thing was wrapped up with some prayers, some chants, and some singing.
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