Wai Khru Ram Muay

The ritual has two parts. The wai khru (“paying respect to the teacher”) is the bow: the fighter kneels, touches the canvas and bows three times, honouring teachers, parents and the art. The ram muay (“boxing dance”) that follows is a slow sequence of steps and postures, different from camp to camp, that shows the fighter's lineage and lets the body warm up and the mind settle.

It is performed at every level of the sport in Thailand, from village fights to Rajadamnern Stadium, and at most international events that follow Thai rules. Judges do not score it, but it is not optional: it is part of what makes a fight a Muay Thai fight.