A Study of Values and Beliefs in the Wai Khru Ritual of Traditional Thai Medicine: Mechanisms for the Transmission of Knowledge and Professional Ethics in the 21st Century

Abstract

This research article aimed to: 1) examine the values and essential features of the Wai Khru ritual in Traditional Thai Medicine (TTM) in the 21^st century; 2) investigate the beliefs influencing contemporary practitioners; and 3) explore adaptive strategies amid socio-technological changes in order to propose pathways for sustainable transmission. This research adopts a qualitative approach, employing purposive sampling of participants attending the annual Wai Khru ritual in 2025 (B.E. 2568). Data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with ritual participants.

The research found that:

1. Values and significance: The Wai Khru ritual functions as a cultural mechanism for transmitting healing knowledge and fostering gratitude toward master teachers. It cultivates professional ethics and compassion toward patients, while also serving as a unifying spiritual center that strengthens professional identity and pride within practitioner networks.
2. Beliefs and influence: Practitioners continue to uphold beliefs in supernatural forces and the spiritual authority of lineage masters, which are perceived to provide protection and auspiciousness. Participation in the ritual enhances morale and professional confidence. Additionally, beliefs in the consecration of knowledge according to auspicious timing are associated with the perceived efficacy of herbal medicine and pulse diagnosis.
3. Adaptation and transmission: The ritual demonstrates flexibility in form and scheduling to align with contemporary lifestyles. Scientific knowledge is increasingly incorporated to explain TTM principles and facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration, while the core essence and traditional ritual offerings are preserved.

In conclusion, the sustainable transmission of TTM knowledge relies on intergenerational transfer of experiential knowledge and the cultivation of awareness regarding the value of professional licensure alongside traditional practices. The integration of spiritual faith with scientific rationality constitutes a key mechanism through which Traditional Thai Medicine can be sustained and advanced with dignity in the 21^st century.