THAI PEOPLE

The Tai ethnic group migrated into mainland Southeast Asia over a period of centuries. The word Siam (Thai: สยาม RTGS: Sayam) may have originated from Pali (suvaṇṇabhūmi, "land of gold"), Sanskrit श्याम (śyāma, "dark"), or Mon ရာမည (rhmañña, "stranger"), with likely the same root as Shan and Ahom. Xianluo (Chinese: 暹羅) was the Chinese name for the Ayutthaya Kingdom, merged from Suphannaphum city-state, centered in modern-day Suphan Buri; and Lavo city-state, centered in modern-day Lop Buri. To the Thai, the name of their country has mostly been Mueang Thai.

The country's designation as Siam by Westerners likely came from the Portuguese. Portuguese chronicles noted that Borommatrailokkanat, king of Ayutthaya, sent an expedition to the Malacca Sultanate, at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, in 1455. Following their conquest of Malacca in 1511, the Portuguese sent a diplomatic mission to Ayutthaya. A century later, on 15 August 1612, The Globe, an East India Company merchantman bearing a letter from King James I, arrived in "the Road of Syam". "By the end of the 19th century, Siam had become so enshrined in geographical nomenclature that it was believed that by this name and no other would it continue to be known and styled."

Indianised kingdoms such as the Mon, the Khmer Empire, and Malay states of the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra ruled the region. The Thai established their states: Ngoenyang, the Sukhothai Kingdom, the Kingdom of Chiang Mai, Lan Na, and the Ayutthaya Kingdom. These states fought each other and were under constant threat from the Khmers, Burma, and Vietnam. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, only Thailand survived the European colonial threat in Southeast Asia due to centralising reforms enacted by King Chulalongkorn, and because the French and the British decided to maintain it as a neutral territory to avoid conflicts between their colonies. After the end of absolute monarchy in 1932, Thailand endured sixty years of almost permanent military rule before the establishment of a democratically elected government.

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Buddhism is the largest religion in Thailand, practiced by roughly 94% of the population. The Thai Constitution does not indicate any state religion, but promotes Buddhism, while guaranteeing religious freedom for all Thai citizens. Many other people, especially among the Isan ethnic group, practice Tai folk religions. A significant Muslim population, mostly constituted by Thai Malays, is present especially in the southern regions. Thai law officially recognizes five religions: Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, and Sikhism. 

Let’s start with the Do’s! 

DO : Dress suitable as Local

• At the Buddhist temples, visitors have to know before getting inside Temple by wearing clothes that cover the shoulders & knees.

Do note that at any Wat(temple), visitors will be expected to wear long pants, shoes or back-strap sandals. 

• For women, do note that leggings & tight pants are forbidden in temples, you may wear skirts, provided they cover your knee. 

• If you forget to bring the proper clothes, many temples provide clothes for rent during your visit such as Sarong to cover up

DO : Take off your shoes

• Thai practise we never wearing shoes go inside Temple Hall. It's very assault to Thai. So please do remember to keep your shoes at the many shoe racks provided outside the temple before entering. 

DO : Show respect to the monks

• Visitors are encouraged to show respect to the monk in the temple premises. It is acceptable to greet or talk to them but please do remember that you should always mind your manners and keep your body’s position lower than the monk, you should lower your head slightly when passing them.

DO : Photograph respectfully

• In most temples in Thailand, taking photographs is allowed. However, adhere to the following rules.

A) Never take photos of worshipers

B) Never take a selfie with a Buddha statue 

C) Don’t pass in front of ongoing prayers

There will be certain sacred areas of the temple where you are prohibited from taking photos. There will be signs (in English and Thai) to guide you. 

DO : Give a donation to the temple

• To keep the pristine Buddhist temples well maintained, donations by travelers is highly appreciated. It isn’t mandatory to do so however, if you wish to donate there are ample small donation boxes located around the temples.

 Now then, let us examine the things one should NOT DO during their visit to a Thai temple. Read on below;

DO NOT : Touch Head

• According to Thai belief, the head is the most sacred part of the body while the feet are considered the unholiest part. 

DO NOT : Use your index finger to point 

• In Thailand, using one’s index finger to point at someone is akin to “ordering” them to do something and generally considered rude. Be polite by holding out your hand with the palm facing upwards and point to the object with all four fingers facing forward. 

DO NOT : Touch a monk ( For Women )

• As the monk canon(Discipline) not allow to direct touch to female. So even if lady to give thing to the monk the lady has to place down on monk robe in stead giving by hand directly. 

DO NOT : Sit with feet pointing at Buddha statues

• As you’ve already read, Thai people consider the feet to be unclean hence pointing your feet at a Buddha statue is regarded as the epitome of disrespect. Make sure that you don’t point or put your feet up when offering worship, such acts are considered as a sign of rudeness. You should always ensure that the soles of your feet are not any Buddha statues when you sit or kneel in a temple in Thailand.

DO NOT : Turn your back on sacred objects.

• Turning your back at sacred objects such as the Buddha statue, an altar is construed as a disrespectful act and should be mindfully avoided. Always try to approach any sacred objects facing towards them and when you wish to leave, simply step back a few meters slowly and then proceed out. 

That is the general list of DO’s & DON’Ts one should observe while visiting any Buddhist temple. Please adhere to the points carefully, if you’re travelling with friends or family, ask them to do so too. Being respect of the culture & rules helps foster a good experience for everyone as you immerse yourself in the wonders of tranquility at these sacred temples