As i dove into the Muay Thai world, I was coming from a long time Karate and Tae Kwon Do background. Having met many Masters, Senseis, Sifus, and other titles during my years of martial arts training. So why wouldn’t there be masters and grandmasters in Muay Thai just like all the others. Now jumps in the words Kru and Arjan. (also romanized ajaan, ajarn, acharn and achaan) These words do not by any means mean “Master.” Quite simply, they both mean “teacher.” They do not differ from society to the gym. Your english teacher or math teach would be referred to as Kru or Arjan. Although Ajarn is used for more experienced or respected teacher… it still translates the same as Kru.

all the military style structure to your more traditional martial arts do not apply to Muay Thai. In martial arts like Tae Kwon Do and Judo there is a lot of traditional structure. Rank, procedure, and traditions are steeped into the training and practice sessions. Mauy Thai is more a Friendly and open training session more like boxing and wrestling. Muay Thai has TONS of traditions and procedures on fight day, but thats where it ends. Matter of fact that is a whole other blog post in itself. In my experiences in Thailand I have never addressed nor was asked to address anyone in the gym by the name of Kru or Arjan. This was not just one gym but many of the gyms i visited in my travels. I was always on a first name basis with everyone, Champions and coaches alike. Nor did i hear any of the Thais use the term in the gym. My only experience with the terms Kru or Arjan in Thailand was always outside of the gym and had nothing to do with boxing. I would help my Thai friend’s children with their english and they would call me Arjan Brian. It was more out of respect than out of title. The other time I used the term Ajarn is when I met my Ruesi (This is a hermit sage type of person. many people might say a holy man or a shaman of some type) Ajarn Thoy. I always call him that because that is the only name i know of him and he is a “holy” person so respect is given lol.

So now we have people taking courses and certifications to become a Kru or an Arjan. Kru being used for instructor levels and Arjan as a Master. Really i want to say it doesn’t bother me, but it does. White guys going around calling themselves, Kru Kevin and Arjan Alan (these are not real people. they are just names i made up.) and then demanding people to call them so is crazy to me. Their students go along with this because… well, they don’t know any better. Many times people i have trained have called me Kru Sarge on their own accord. I am quick to correct them and explain the meaning of the term and while I do appreciate the respect, it is not necessary. Most people i work with just call me by my name, just like my Kru in Thailand, Watcharachai Kaewsamrit. This is someone who you should call Ajarn but you never do. He is very friendly and passionate about Muay Thai. I have never called him Kru or Ajarn. He has always been “Watcharachai” or simply “Bro.”

JOHN WAYNE PARR: “Even calling myself Kru. I cringe when people call me a Kru. Because Im not a thai and I don’t deserve the honor of being called Kru. I’m a white guy trying to be the best version of a Thai person.” Well said my friend. Well Said.

In closing, there are many people out there calling themselves Kru, most of whom are on an ego trip. Many of them also just use it in formal settings such as their website or business card. A real Kru or Arjan will never require you to call them one. It’s a title that is earned not bought or granted by an organization. Show your Kru respect but just have the right idea about what they stand for. There is some marketing in the name involved with having a business I guess. I think that properly educating students on the title itself and calling yourself coach or by just using your name would be more “thai” and “traditional” than formalities.