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thai buddhism

Although many religions are practised in Thailand, Theravada Buddhism—the “Way of the Elders”—is the bond that has held the nation together and identified the nature of “Thai-ness”.

Gilded figures of the Lord Buddha abound throughout the kingdom.

Buddhist monks on their early morning alms round.

Detail of a gilded stupa at Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai.

Monks at a temple near Bangkok during Makha Bucha celebrations.

Portrait of a venerated monk at a Thai temple.

aBOUT 90 PER CENT of Thais are Buddhists, most of them devout in their belief. Until King Bhumibol Adulyadej ascended the throne in 1946, Buddhism was perceived as the religion of the kingdom—indeed, the definition of being Thai was to be Buddhist, a monarchist, and to speak the Thai language, phasaa tai. In practice, this still holds true today. But under the wise guidance of King Bhumibol, and in line with the rapid growth of democracy in the kingdom, recognition is now fully given to the minority religions—Christianity, animism amongst the hill tribes of the north, Hindu ism, and above all Islam, Thailand’s second religion, dominant in the southern provinces.