Thailand: Where Teachers Aren’t Just Appreciated, They’re Revered

A Lesson in Flagellation

The first (and longest) part of the ceremony consisted of students coming on to the stage, about five at a time. The head of each class’s level (there are five levels within each of the six grades) was the first to approach when his or her room was called forward. This leader presented their flower arrangement before giving a very traditional “wai,” or bow, to whichever teachers were sitting in the front five seats at that time. A “wai” consists of placing your palms together in front of your chest and slightly bowing at the torso with your elbows tucked in. Anyone older than you, monks, and the King all get more reverent bows with your palms being placed higher based on the required respect.

Ryan Farley / Own Work

Since any one person usually ends up “wai-ing” at least 15 people per day, it usually becomes a rushed and sloppy action that resembles hitting yourself in the face. However, on this day, every student approached like it was a military parade, dropped to their knees, placed their steepled palms on the bridge of their noses and bowed until they were touching the floor. Teachers placed their hands on the back of the students’ heads and half-whispered something in Thai.