Before each Muay Thai bout, it is essential that the fighters perform the dance like Wai-Kru ceremony, during the Wai-Kru, rhythmic music wails and moans in the background, the instruments used for this music are a clung (cymbal), a klong khaek (tom-tom), and a pee java (Thai reed pipe). The fighter moves around the ring in a counter clockwise direction with his hand on the top rope, stopping in each corner bowing and touching each rope. He is sealing the ring, keeping out all the evil spirits from interfering with the bout.
He then begins the Wai-Kru, paying homage to his teachers, parents, and ancestors. He bows slowly three times his hands touching his forehead and then the ring floor. The fighter then stands up and begins the Ram Muay (boxing dance). During the Ram Muay the fighter depicts animals, while some moves display the fighter’s balance and power. The Ram Muay also helps relax the fighter, warming up and loosening his muscles, also stretching out his leg muscles. Without the Ram Muay there is no Muay Thai, it is one of the many differences between Muay Thai and any other ring sport. Some people say they can tell from watching the fighter’s Ram Muay, how well he will do in the ring.

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