Hinduism in Thailand

Hinduism is a smaller religion in Thailand, with about 29,900 people, or 0.04% of the population, following it as of 2020. Even though most people in Thailand practice Buddhism, Hindu traditions and stories have a strong influence on the culture there.

Most Thai Hindus live in places like Bangkok, Chonburi, and Phuket. One of the most important stories in Thailand is called Ramakien, which is the Thai version of the ancient tale Ramayana. This story is so valued that it is considered the country's national epic.

History

Thailand has been shaped by Hinduism for over 2000 years. Even though most people in Thailand practice Buddhism today, many parts of Thai culture and symbols show Hindu influences. For example, the famous Thai story called the Ramakien comes from an old Hindu story.

Important Hindu gods and symbols are part of Thai life. The Thai national emblem shows Garuda, a sacred bird from Hindu stories. Many Thais honor Hindu gods like Brahma, Ganesha, Indra, and Shiva in special places and ceremonies. The city of Ayutthaya near Bangkok is named after a holy place in Hindu tales.

A special Hindu temple called the Devasathan was built in 1784. It is where many important ceremonies take place. Even though Thailand is mostly Buddhist, Hindu traditions still play a big role in the country’s culture and history.

Tracing Vishnu Sculptures in Thailand

Earliest Vishnu Sculpture Discovered in Thailand

Southern and Central Thailand might be the earliest places where the worship of Vishnu grew in all of Southeast Asia. Many smaller-than-human-sized sculptures of Vishnu have been found from the earliest times. These sculptures look similar to the art styles from Mathura and Amaravati in India.

Second Phase of Vishnu Sculpture from Central Thailand, 7th-8th centuries CE

A human-sized sculpture of Vishnu from the second phase was found in Sri Mahosot in Central Thailand. Vishnu wears a simple round crown and a see-through lower garment. The style of this sculpture looks like the ones found in Southern Thailand.

Sculptures of Vishnu and Krishna discovered from Sri Thep

Sri Thep is one of the most important Dvaravati cities in Central Thailand and has many stone sculptures related to the worship of Vishnu. Vishnu and Krishna are the most common figures found. Vishnu stands in a relaxed pose called Tribhanga, and Krishna is shown lifting Mount Govardhana with his left hand.

Four-armed Vishnu, 14th century CE

After the 13th century CE, when the Thai people began following Theravada Buddhism, kings tried to connect themselves to Vishnu. A bronze image of Vishnu was made for the private worship of the royal family in Sukhothai. The image has a calm, smiling face, much like the Buddha images from Sukhothai.

Tracing Shaivism in Thailand

Shiva is a powerful god in Hindu beliefs, known as the god of destruction and change. Shaivism, a branch of Hinduism that began in South India, spread to southern and central Thailand between the 6th and 10th centuries.

Lord Shiva appears in many different forms. One common symbol is the lingam, which represents the meeting of male and female energies that created the universe. Archaeologists have found many lingams in southern Thailand, including special ones like the Mukha Lingam that has a face and a golden lingam found in a cave. Another unique stone lingam called the Swayambhulingam was also discovered there.

Thai Brahmin community

Thailand has two groups of Thai Brahmin people: Brahm Luang (Royal Brahmins) and Brahm Chao Baan (folk Brahmins). All Thai Brahmins practice Buddhism, but they also honor Hindu gods. The Royal Brahmins help with important ceremonies for the Thai king, such as the king’s crowning. They come from a long family line of Brahmins originally from Tamil Nadu. Folk Brahmins are not from priestly families and usually know less about special rituals. There are also newer Brahmins who moved to Thailand from India.

In the past, Brahmins also helped with royal ceremonies in other parts of Southeast Asia. These ceremonies started again in Cambodia after a big change in the country. In Myanmar, Brahmins no longer have this role because the monarchy ended.

Indian Hindus

During the time of the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya periods, many visitors from faraway lands wrote about many people from India being part of the Thai royal court. Today, most of the people from India living in Thailand came after 1920 and during the first half of the 19th century.

The Mariamman Temple, Bangkok is the first temple made in the South Indian architectural style. It was built in 1879 by Vaithi Padayatchi, a Tamil Hindu immigrant.

Demographics

According to the Thai census, the number of Hindus in Thailand changed over time. In 2005, there were 52,631 Hindus, which was 0.09% of the population. By 2010, this number went down to 41,808 Hindus, or 0.06% of the population. In 2015, the number decreased further to 22,110 Hindus, making up 0.03% of the population.

However, research from PEW found that Hinduism made up 0.1% of Thailand's population in 2014 and is expected to grow. The Hindu population is predicted to rise from 0.1% in 2014 to 0.2% by 2050.

Hindu sites in Thailand

The front gate of the Devasathan was built in 1784 and is the main center for Hinduism in Bangkok. The Lingam at Phanom Rung in Buriram shows us old parts from the Khmer Empire.

The Mariamman Temple, Bangkok in Bangrak was built in 1879. There is also a shrine called San Phra Kan in Lop Buri for the Hindu God Vishnu. You can find a bronze statue of Ganesha at the Khlong Khuean Ganesh International Park, in Khlong Khuean and Chachoengsao.