Blog about Thailand
Don’t dress immodestly Men shouldn’t go to a temple in a sleeveless shirt or a shirt that’s been left unbuttoned and revealing their chest or belly. Don’t walk in with really short shorts, either.
Plan your trip with our list of the best temples in Thailand . White Temple , Chiang Rai. White Temple in Chiang Rai. Wat Arun, Bangkok. Wat Arun at dusk. Wat Pho, Bangkok. Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho. Blue Temple , Chiang Rai. Sanctuary of Truth, Pattaya. Tiger Cave Temple , Krabi. Black House, Chiang Rai. Silver Temple , Chiang Mai.
Visit Bangkok’s many temples There’s pretty much a temple in every neighbourhood of Bangkok, and many of them are free .
– Wat Phra Chetuphon.
Tipping in hotels is not expected, but again is always appreciated, for instance 20 – 50 baht for the porter that carried your bags up to your room, or 20 baht left under your pillow for the cleaner. In all restaurants it is customary to leave behind any loose change in coins as a tip .
So the best rule of thumb is, unless you want to show you are a Red Shirt supporter, don’t wear a red shirt. The main rule of thumb in Thailand is dress more conservatively than you would at home, and women should always wear bras, particularly in Bangkok.
Temples in Thailand are called wats, and while every temple is different, most have a chedi (a stupa or pagoda, sometimes gilded, sometimes made of stone) and/or a prang (a Khmer-style conical tower with a broad base and viharn (assembly halls and a main building you can enter).
Excluding the law that states the King must be Buddhist , there is no official Thailand religion, meaning all Thai people enjoy religious freedom. However, Buddhism is the most common Thailand religion with approximately 95% of the population following this Theravada religion.
Approximately 94 percent of Thailand’s population is Buddhist (five percent Muslim). As of 2016 Thailand had 39,883 wats (temples). Three hundred-ten are royal wats, the remainder are private (public). There were 298,580 Buddhist monks, 264,442 of the Maha Nikaya order and 34,138 of the Dhammayuttika Nikaya order.
Can you Wear Shorts in Thailand temples ? Yes you definitely can , but they must reach to at least below the knee.
The important things to visit The Grand Palace & The Emerald Buddha temple in Bangkok, please wear a shirt cover your shoulders, as well as long pants to cover your ankles, skirt or dress below your knees. The dress code to visit all Buddhist temples in Thailand is more flexible.
Also, sandals are acceptable, but must have a strap around the back (again, no flip flops or backless sandals allowed). If you arrive at Wat Phra Kaew wearing unsuitable clothes, you will be able to borrow something suitable, but if you have incorrect shoes you will not be allowed to enter the temple .
Take a kneeling or seated position with your feet pointing away, raise your hands with the incense to your chest and pray . Place the incense in the sand, add gold leaf to Buddha images, and finally make three deep wais placing your hands to the ground each time. Ensure you walk around sacred objects clockwise.
An estimated 250,000–300,000 monks are walking the streets of Thailand at any given time. Monks are usually friendly to tourists. Ones who aren’t too shy may ask to practice English with you .
It’s different from shrines! Learn how to pray at temples First bow at the main temple gate. Cleanse your mouth and hands at the temizuya. Ring the bell. Offer incense or candles. Make a monetary offering, ring the temple gong, press your hands together and bow once.