Students representatives
present flowers to their teachers as a show of respect during the wai
khru ceremony.
Phasakorn Channgam
Dusit Thani College students kicked off the new
academic year with a traditional “wai khru” ceremony in which students
pay respect to their teachers for the upcoming term.
College Director Sakda Kanchanawanawan, Assistant
Director Siripong Rakmai, teachers and representatives from the Pattaya
Education Office attended June 28 - a Thursday, as that is the day for
Brihaspati, the Vedic god of wisdom and teachers - to perform the wai
khru, which is done in most Thai educational institutes at the start of
each year.
Typical festivities feature students presenting trays
of flowers, incense and candles. The idea is that while the ixora,
eggplant and Bermuda grass may not be especially beautiful on their own,
together they comprise a lovely arrangement. The flowers also are
symbols of intellectuality, progression, and susceptible patience. Wai
khru ceremonies also see students recite a Buddhist prayer and wai khru
chant, which expresses respect and gratitude for the teachers and asks
for their blessing of the students’ studies.
A satellite of Bangkok’s Dusit Thani College, the
Pattaya branch offers three degree programs: Bachelor of Business
Administration in Hotel and Resort Management, Bachelor of Business
Administration in Culinary Arts, and Bachelor of Business Administration
in MICE and Events Management.
The college has 30-40 in each of its programs,
hailing from Thailand as well as China, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands,
the Philippines, South Korea and the United States.
