Promoting Cultural Capital and Thai Teachers Respect Ceremony (Wai Khru) In Educational Institutions through the Concept of Localwisdomism

Abstract

This study aimed (1) to examine the values of the Thai Wai Khru tradition in educational institutions as perceived by upper secondary school students and (2) to identify guidelines for promoting cultural capital through the Wai Khru tradition based on a local wisdom–oriented educational approach. A mixed-methods research design was employed. Quantitative data were collected from 384 upper secondary school students in the 2025 academic year under the Secondary Educational Service Area Office Chonburi–Rayong, Thailand, selected through multi-stage sampling using Krejcie and Morgan’s table. Qualitative data were obtained from 11 key informants, including basic education teachers and university lecturers with at least three years of experience in Wai Khru ceremonies, through online focus group discussions.The research instruments consisted of a questionnaire and a semi-structured focus group interview guide. The questionnaire demonstrated acceptable content validity (IOC = .84) and reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = .84). Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis. The findings indicated that (1) the overall perceived value of the Wai Khru tradition was at a high level. Among the value dimensions, social value was rated the highest, highlighting the role of the Wai Khru ceremony in fostering respectful teacher–student relationships, social cohesion, and a sense of unity within schools. Psychological, moral, aesthetic, religious, and intellectual values were also rated highly, reflecting the tradition’s contribution to students’ gratitude, emotional well-being, cultural appreciation, moral awareness, and lifelong learning orientation. Physical and economic values were perceived at moderate levels, as these aspects were less explicitly represented in the ritual practices. (2) the guidelines for promoting cultural capital through the Wai Khru tradition, emphasizing the integration of local wisdom into educational goals, school environments, curricula, teaching practices, learner development, and experiential, community-based learning. The findings underscore the significance of integrating traditional cultural practices into contemporary education to support holistic student development and cultural sustainability.