How complicated is Thailand temple etiquette? All first-time travelers feel a little nervous entering one of Thailand’s many Buddhist temples for the first time.
Is it okay to take pictures of the Buddha image? Should you sneak out quickly when the monks enter the hall to worship?
Unless you’re a Buddhist, and putting on some bracelets while traveling in Southeast Asia doesn’t count, the whole scene can be a bit confusing. Just when you’ve started to feel at ease, an old monk starts striking a gong loudly and sends you fighting in a fight or flight panic for your shoes outside.
No one wants to be the rude tourist who accidentally brings chaos to such a serene place. Fortunately, the dos and don’ts of temple etiquette are simple enough to follow.
Thailand’s temples, known as wats, are literally everywhere. More than 90 percent of the population of Thailand follow the Theravada school of Buddhism. Some temples are ancient and puzzling. Others, like the White Temple in Chiang Rai, have Batman and Kung Fu Panda painted on the walls. Regardless, most of the temples in Thailand are beautiful and possess extraordinary historical and cultural significance.
These are not the places to act like a nasty tourist and spoil a good thing.
Visiting the temples of Thailand
No trip to Thailand is complete without visiting a select handful of famous temples. Just beware of one condition that affects many travelers in Thailand: ‘ wat burnout’.
Trying to see too many temples in a week is a surefire way to burn yourself out! Take the time to absorb what you have seen in one temple before rushing to visit the next. Ideally, look for details (age, purpose, importance, etc.) before visiting a temple – you’ll appreciate the experience even more.
Each temple has something that makes it unique. For example, reclining Buddha statues are not intended to depict Buddha being lazy – his earthly body is dying of illness, potentially food poisoning. Wat Naphrameru in Ayutthaya contains an ancient statue depicting the Buddha as a prince in worldly garb before enlightenment – such images are increasingly rare.
There are some exceptions, but visiting temples is usually free in Thailand. Just don’t burn too early!
The adjustment
Unless you are visiting the strange White Temple in Chiang Rai, don’t expect the Hollywood version of Buddhism in the temples of Thailand. You will definitely not see any monks practicing kung fu.
Temples are not always remote and mystical places located on top of mountains. The famous Erawan Shrine in Bangkok is literally in the middle of a busy sidewalk. Wat Lan Khuat in Isaan is built entirely from recycled beer bottles!
Entering with a preconceived image could leave you disappointed.
Monks in thailand
Monks in Thailand are often seen on cell phones, smoking, or hanging out of internet cafes after checking email and playing games!
An estimated 200,000 to 30,000 monks walk the streets of Thailand at any given time. Serving as a monk is considered part of a young man’s development, yet only a few remain monks. After serving a set period (often three months), most will return to society, start careers, and get married.
Monks are usually very friendly. They don’t eat tourists. Those who are not too shy can ask to practice English with you. Attending a Monk Chat session in Chiang Mai could mean exchanging email addresses with a monk. Don’t panic! Take advantage of interaction while still showing respect. This is your chance to ask about everyday life, Buddhism, or anything else that interests you.
Respect Tip: When greeting or thanking a monk for his time, give him a higher wai (Thailand’s famous prayer gesture with a slight bow) than usual. The monks are not expected to return the gesture.
The temple worship area
Temples in Thailand typically have quiet grounds in a courtyard that houses an ordination hall ( bot ), prayer hall ( viharn ), stupas ( chedi ), residences ( kuti ), a kitchen, and even classrooms or administrative buildings.
The main area for monks that contains a Buddha statue is known as a bot . The bot is often for monks only, while visitors, including tourists, go to the viharn (prayer hall) to pray or see Buddha images. The problem is that the monk-only area and the laity area often look very similar in decor and architecture.
In a quiet temple, to make sure you are entering the place open to the public (the viharn ), just look for these things:
- Signs in English (for example, asking you to remove your shoes) is a good indicator.
- Donation boxes
- Other worshipers who are not monks
Traditionally, monk-only bots are surrounded by eight sema stones outside in a rectangular shape. If you see large decorative stones in a square around a prayer room, this is probably not the one for you.
How to act around Buddha images
These areas are obviously more sacred than other places in the temple. Some rules of temple etiquette should be followed when entering the main worship area:
- Remove your shoes before entering the viharn, unless you are already instructed to leave them outside.
- Do not step or stand on the threshold that enters.
- Walk around sacred objects only in a clockwise direction.
- Don’t get in the way of local people who are really there to worship.
- Try to walk away from the Buddha statue a short distance before turning your back.
- Don’t turn your back on him while you’re near the Buddha statues to take a selfie!
- Do not touch sacred objects in the worship area.
- Don’t be loud, silly or joking.
- Don’t aim at the Buddha images.
- Do not rise higher than the Buddha image (for example, sitting on the raised platform for a photo).
- Remove noisy or unhappy children from the worship area.
If you want to hang out, the monks don’t really care if you do, the correct way to sit in front of a Buddha image is to have your legs under you like the worshipers do. While sitting, avoid pointing your feet at the Buddha image or other people. If the monks enter the hall, get up until they finish their prostrations.
When you are ready to go, do not rise higher than the Buddha statue and try not to turn your back on it; back off instead.
Take photos inside the temples
For travelers, the most common offense is posing for a photo or selfie with your back turned to a Buddha image.
Unlike in Japan, where taking photos of Buddha statues or the worship area is generally frowned upon, doing so is fine in Thailand, unless a sign says you shouldn’t. Try not to take photos of other worshipers while they pray.
Yes, the monks in Thailand are brilliantly photogenic, but taking photos without asking is no good. You are at your home and workplace.
Two while visiting a temple in Thailand
- Take off hats, sunglasses, and shoes when entering a worship area.
- Don’t mute your mobile phone, remove your headphones, and lower your voice.
- Show respect; Now is not the time to share the last joke you just heard.
- I step over the wooden threshold to the temple instead of over it.
- Stand up when monks or nuns enter the room.
Viewed modestly
The rule of etiquette n. 1 to visit Thai temples is to dress modestly! Save your swim shorts and tank top for the beach.
Although many wats in tourist areas have relaxed their standards due to the high volume of visitors, be different! Show respect . Now is not the time to wear that tank top from Full Moon Party that is still smeared with bright paint and body fluids. Shorts or pants are supposed to cover the knees. Tight stretch pants and clingy tops can also be considered too “sexy.”
Really important: Much of the popular “Sure” and “No Time” clothing brands sold to backpackers in Thailand represent themes from Buddhism and Hinduism. One shirt even shows Buddha smoking a joint. You can imagine how monks feel about this fashion.
Not to do while visiting a temple in Thailand
- Do not point at a monk or Buddha statue, either with your fingers or feet.
- Do not touch or turn your back on a Buddha image.
- Don’t smoke, spit, chew gum or snack while walking. Many Theravada monks do not eat after noon.
- Do not disturb the monks or anyone who comes to worship, this includes photographing them.
Women in Thai temples
Women can never touch a monk or his robe. Even his own mother’s hugs are off limits while he’s at the monk. Touching a monk by accident (i.e. brushing against the robe in a crowded place) requires the monk to go through a lengthy cleaning process (if he recognizes the contact).
If you must give something to a monk (for example, money while paying for a trinket), put the item down and let the monk pick it up. Use your right hand.
Give donations in Thai temples
Almost all temples in Thailand have one or more metal donation boxes. Donations are not required or expected. No one will embarrass you for not donating. But if you took photos and enjoyed your visit, why not drop 10-20 baht in the box on your way out?
Some temples sell trinkets and such to raise money. Although buying small Buddha statues is legal in Thailand, taking them out of the country is technically illegal. Assuming you didn’t buy a special heirloom or antique, you probably won’t have a problem. Just in case, don’t show them to immigration officials as they take you out of Thailand.
Monje cat
Some Thai temples, particularly in Chiang Mai, have scheduled “Monk Chat” times when tourists can meet English-speaking monks for free. You can ask questions about Buddhism or what it’s like to live in a temple.
Don’t worry, the monks won’t try to convert you to Buddhism on the spot. The experience can be cultural and memorable, especially if you ask a few questions.
If you sit in a group to talk to the monk, you never feel taller than him. Try to sit with your feet under you to show proper respect. Allow the monk to finish speaking before interrupting with a question or comment.
