Wai Khru Ceremony

The Wai Khru ceremony was affirming for teachers.  Staff were called onto the stage in groups, high school, middle school and elementary.  Students from these grades then came up on stage in groups. They knelt down, performed a wai before presenting us with the flower cones they made yesterday.  We had a brief chat with them - difficult if you didn't teach the student who ended up in front of you - and wished them well for the academic year.
The ceremony was coordinated by the Thai language staff.  Teachers were encouraged to wear traditional Thai clothing, hence the men in the photos are wearing collarless cotton shirts.  However Zane (red hair, white shirt) said he bought his in Bangladesh from a mate who runs a sweat shop!!!
Luckily I had packed my Laos wrap around skirt, which was appropriate.
The ceremony began with "The King's Song", followed by a Thai chant and concluded with a song praising teachers.  The school captain - who I fondly call "Our Leader" spoke about respect for teachers and how wonderful teachers are and that students should show gratitude to their teachers.  Amazing!