Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Women can become
mâa chee
(eight-precept nuns) but this is held in slightly lower re-
gard than the status of male monks, as most Thais believe that a woman can only achieve
nibbana
if she is reincarnated as a man. Both monks and nuns shave their heads and wear
robes (orange for men, white for women), give up most of their personal belongings and
live on charity. Thais donate generously to the local wát, so monks often live quite com-
fortable lives.
An increasing number of foreigners are coming to Thailand to be ordained as Buddhist
As long as you dress appropriately and observe the correct etiquette you will be wel-
come at most monasteries. However, take care not to disturb monks while they are eating
or meditating - nothing breaks the concentration quite like tourists snapping photo-
graphs!
Islam
Thailand is home to 1.6 million Muslims (just over 4% of Thailand's population), con-
centrated in the south of the country. Most Thai Muslims are of Malay origin and gener-
ally follow a moderate version of the Sunni sect mixed with pre-Islamic animism.
A decade-long revival movement has cultivated stricter Islamic practices and suspi-
cions of outside influences. Under this interpretation of Islam, many folk practices have
been squeezed out of daily devotions and local people see the mainly Buddhist govern-
ment and education system as intolerant of their way of life. Schools and infrastructure in
the Muslim-majority south are typically underfunded, and frustration with the Bangkok
government is sometimes defined as a religious rather than political struggle.
There are mosques throughout southern Thailand but few are architecturally interest-
ing and most are closed to women. If you do visit a mosque, remember to cover your
head and remove your shoes.
Other Religions
Half a per cent of the population - primarily hill tribes converted by missionaries and Vi-
etnamese immigrants - is Christian, while another half a per cent is made up of Con-
fucians, Taoists, Mahayana Buddhists and Hindus. Chinese temples and joss houses are a
common sight in the south and in Bangkok's Chinatown, and Bangkok is also home to
the large, colourful Hindu Sri Mariamman Temple.
