Travel Tips

Religion in Thailand

About 95% of Thais are Theravada Buddhists, which made its way to Thailand from Sri Lanka during the Sukhothai period (13th century). This Thai practice borrows heavily and incorporates elements of Hindu, Tantric and Mahayana influences. Thais believe that Buddhism is one of three elements that keep their kingdom strong, the other two being the monarchy and nationhood. Their faith is deep and dictates much of their behavior in everyday life. Most males, in the later teenage years will become monks, usually for about three months to make merit for and honor their family.
There are roughly 32,000 monasteries in Thailand and about 460,000 monks, who follow 227 precepts.
Three percent of Thais are Muslim, with most of them living in the three southernmost provinces.

return to the travel tips page...