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Thailand, with over 90% of its population practicing Buddhism, is not a country that has always experienced peace. There have been riots, protests, and natural disasters, but Buddhism has served as the glue that has healed the wounds within this nation.
In Thailand, there are more temples than skyscrapers.
I once worked in marketing with a client from Thailand. Understanding the origins and distinctive characteristics of the people of this country greatly contributes to effective campaigns. Besides aspects that provide commercial insights, one thing that I think anyone who has interacted with Thai people will always be impressed by and remember: gentle, yielding, tolerant, compassionate, honest, and hospitable.
Perhaps their tourism products are favored by visitors from all over the world not only because of the daily excitement and dynamism of their national tourism industry, but also because of the closeness and friendliness of the local people. So, what makes these characteristics, passed down, preserved, and become symbols of their culture?
Thailand is a country where over 90% of the population follows Buddhism.
"Without Buddhism, without temples, Thais would no longer be Thais." I heard this sentiment from a tour guide during a Thailand tour I participated in in 2019. Buddhism is intertwined with history, politics, and culture, and is one of the three representative elements of the nation, depicted on the Thai flag: White represents religion; red represents national strength; and blue represents the Royal Family.
It is said that in this country, no matter how dilapidated the houses or how poor the people, they always strive to make the temple of that region truly magnificent. Thai temples are a visual stimulus, always showcasing a distinctive and striking style, with bold gold paint on a white background, or elaborate gold leafing and gilded statues reflecting the artistic characteristics of Theravada Buddhism; they have almost built a complete brand identity for Thai culture. Some temples have Buddha statues cast from 4 tons of pure gold, or crafted from solid blocks of emerald. Others are made entirely of cast iron, wood, or stone…
Thai temples are a visual spectacle, always featuring a distinctive and striking design, with bold gold paint against a white background.
Almost every village has one or a few temples, but along the way, you can still see new temples under construction. Visiting Thailand, temples are a must-see for tourists on any tour. Every of Thailand's 76 provinces has several famous Wat (temple). Other ethnic groups living in Thailand, such as the Chinese, Hmong, Burmese (Myanmar), and Khmer, also have their own temples.
I was reading an old document that, according to statistics from 1959, Thailand had approximately 21,380 temples. However, in a small booklet I recently bought at Wat Doi Suthep (Chiang Mai) to pass the time while waiting for the rain to stop, I inadvertently learned that in 1990 there were 29,002 temples. This proves that the casting of statues and the construction of temples are still ongoing activities: in 31 years, the Thais added 7,782 new temples. The latest statistics are certainly even higher.
When faith is a type of cell
The proliferation of temples is not solely for tourism purposes. Even in areas not heavily reliant on tourism, people strive to cultivate religious faith through reverence for the temple. We are familiar with the tranquil, secluded Vietnamese temples nestled beside ancient banyan trees and wells; however, the Thai people demonstrate their devotion through volunteer work and contributions to temple construction. They light incense at temples, bow to Buddha, and sweep stupas... because these temples are always new and magnificent, built with the beautiful devotion of the people and nurtured by unwavering faith. They sweep temples and build stupas as a way of tidying up the worries of the outside world.
They built the temple higher than their houses, as if seeking shelter under the shadow of Buddha.
Thai people entrust to temples all their faith, love, gratitude, resentment, and all the joys, sorrows, and emotions of life. They build temples higher than their houses, as if sheltered under the image of Buddha. The temple is a school, a home, a place of nurturing and harmony, and a place of rest amidst hardship. Every child in Thailand grows up with Buddhist rituals and with the educational guidance of their family on the fundamental principles of kindness.
Beyond their spiritual significance, Buddhist temples extend their compassionate arms to support young people facing hardship. In rural Thailand, temples also serve as homes for children seeking refuge under the Buddha's guidance. These children are known as temple children – Dek Wat. The temples provide them with a warm and comfortable life, "paid" with teachings and light, auxiliary tasks.
The temple is a school, a home, a place of nurturing and harmony, and also a place of rest amidst hardship.
Most of them come from poor farming parents. However, some children come from more affluent families, but their parents still want to send them to the temple, believing that they will become good children because they will be guided by the monks in morality, discipline, and the virtues of Buddhism. Many people who previously held high positions in society grew up as temple children, which demonstrates the value of life in the temple because they were raised in a morally sound environment.
Respect for spiritual masters is clearly evident. When facing difficulties in life, Thai people, even those in high positions, seek out monks to confide in them, seek advice, and listen to their mediation in conflicts; only if that fails do they resort to legal action.
I once knew that in Thailand, it's rare to set up altars for the deceased. Partly because they believe in the refuge of Buddhism and rebirth in Nirvana, they entrust the ashes to temples, hoping that the teachings of Buddhism will continue into the next life. In many households, there's a desire to acquire a stupa containing relics of enlightened masters. They believe that a connection with Buddhism strengthens their moral and ethical practice. It's not easy for everyone to obtain relics, but if they do, it certainly means their family has a long history of virtuous conduct.
Thai men are fundamentally influenced by a significant ritual: the "Kan Upsombot or Ordination Ceremony." This period is a time for young men to learn to become good people and to show filial piety to their parents. Therefore, most men in this country must spend a period of their lives as novice monks. The age requirement for entering a monastery is 20, and the period can last from 1 to 3 months. A person must complete 7 years of monastic training to become a novice monk. If a young man does not enter a monastery for the ordination ceremony, he is not considered an adult and does not earn the respect of the community. For Thai men, this period of monastic training serves as a seal of approval for their virtue, not only in their spiritual lives but also in their family lives, preparing them to become a pillar of the family, possessing both heart, talent, and intellect.
Buddhist teachings have been deeply ingrained in the hearts of every Thai person, influencing even their daily habits. In Thailand, if you accidentally leave behind even a simple hat, even at a local eatery, it will likely be there five or ten years later. Similarly, if you leave your vehicle parked on the roadside with the keys still in the ignition, it will still be there even if you intentionally leave it for a week. This is because the Thai people cultivate ethical and virtuous behavior through standards of conduct that have been instilled since their early childhood.
Buddhist teachings have been nurtured and firmly rooted within each Thai person.
When discussing the ethics of the Thai people, it's impossible not to mention the business ethics of their companies. Kan Trakulhoon, Chairman and CEO of Siam Cement Group (SCG), believes that sustainable development should be seen as a passport enabling businesses to operate anywhere in the world.
This company innovates product lines that minimize environmental impact, such as water-saving faucets, fiber optic cables made from recycled glassware, and paper products made from eco-friendly fibers. SCG has been ranked in the Down Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) in the building materials sector since 2004. The business philosophy of Thai companies stems from the idea of "moderation." Moderate business practices protect the environment. Profits should be moderate, with a portion given back to the environment and society. Competition should be moderate, lest greed harm other businesses, erode customer trust, and damage the country's image. Perhaps they know how to compromise, how to balance, and how to lower their ego for a greater good—a philosophy that also originates from Buddhist temples.
For Thai people, whether near or far, everyone comes from a temple.
For the people of Thailand, whether near or far, no one comes from outside the temple. Whether poor and destitute or refined and elegant, everyone has a Buddhist heart to return to. The bond between the people of Siam and the temple is like a lifelong reconciliation between mind and virtue. Calmly filtering out superstition and the exploitation of religious beliefs, the true beauty of Buddhism in worldly life emerges like a sparkling gem in the ever-developing and progressive culture of the Land of the Golden Temples.
Thai society, after enduring countless storms and tribulations, still retains its spiritual values, for it is the most tolerant place, providing a foundation for the chaotic prosperity of the city. They firmly believe that as long as they maintain a state of peaceful consciousness, which their people cherish every day, they will have the strength to navigate through life's challenges.
