Thailand Temple Etiquette

Thailand temple etiquette is a nervous subject for many first-time travelers in Southeast Asia. Is it OK to take photographs of the Buddha image? Should you scurry out quickly when monks enter the room to worship? How to not accidentally bring chaos to such an otherwise serene place?

Unless you're a Buddhist - and putting on a few bracelets as you travel Asia doesn't count - the whole scene can be a bit confusing.

Just when you've begun to feel at ease, an old monk starts banging a gong loudly and sends you scrambling in a fight-or-flight panic for your shoes.

Thailand's temples - known as Wats - are literally everywhere. Over 90 percent of Thailand's population is Buddhist. Some temples are ancient and mystifying. Others, such as the White Temple in Chiang Rai, have Batman and Kung Fu Panda painted on the walls. Regardless, most temples in Thailand are beautiful and possess extraordinary historical and cultural significance.

These are not the places to act like an obnoxious tourist and mess up a good thing.

Visiting Thailand Temples

No trip to Thailand is complete without visiting a select handful of famous temples. Just beware of a condition that plagues many travelers in Thailand: Wat burnout.

Trying to see too many temples in one week is a sure way to become burned out! Take time to absorb what you've seen in a temple before rushing to visit the next one.

Ideally, look up details(age, purpose, etc) before visiting a temple - you'll appreciate it even more.

Each temple has something that makes it unique. For instance, reclining Buddha statues aren't meant to depict Buddha being lazy - his earthly body is dying from an illness, potentially food poisoning.

Wat Naphrameru in Ayutthaya contains a rare, ancient statue depicting Buddha as a prince in worldly attire before enlightenment.

There are a few exceptions, but visiting temples is usually a free thing to do in Thailand. Just don't burn yourself out too early!

The Setting

Unless you're visiting the bizarre White Temple in Chiang Rai, don't expect the Hollywood version of Buddhism in Thailand's temples.

Going in with a preconceived image could cause you to leave disappointed. Monks in Thailand are often spotted on cell phones, smoking or coming out of internet cafes!

Monks are usually very friendly. They don't eat tourists. Ones who aren't too shy may ask to practice English with you. Attending a Monk Chat session in Chiang Mai could mean swapping email addresses with a monk. Don't panic! Take advantage of the interaction while still showing respect. This is your chance to ask about daily life, Buddhism or anything else that interests you.

Respect Tip: When greeting or thanking a monk for his time, give them a higher Wai - Thailand's famous prayer-like gesture with slight bow - than usual. Monks aren't expected to return the gesture.

The Temple Worship Area

Thailand temples typically have peaceful grounds in a courtyard that house an ordination hall(Bot), prayer hall(Viharn), stupas(Chedi), living residences(Kuti), a kitchen and perhaps even classrooms or administrative buildings.

The primary area for monks that contains a Buddha statue is known as a Bot. The Bot is often for monks only, while visitors - tourists included - go to the Viharn(prayer hall) to pray or see images of Buddha. The problem is that the monk-only area and the layman area often look very similar in decor and architecture.

In a quiet temple, to make sure you're entering the place open for the public(the Viharn), just look for these things:

- Signs in English(e.g., asking you to remove your shoes) is a good indicator.

- Donation boxes.

- Other worshipers who aren't monks.

Traditionally, the 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 hall, that probably isn't the one for you.

How to Act Near Buddha Images

These areas are obviously more sacred than other places in the temple. A few rules of temple etiquette should be followed as you enter the main worship area:

- Remove your shoes before entering the Viharn unless already directed to leave them outside.

- Don't step or stand on the threshold going inside.

- Walk around sacred objects in only a clockwise manner.

- Don't get in the way of local people who are actually there to worship.

- Try to back away from the Buddha statue a short distance before turning your back.

- Don't touch sacred objects in the worship area.

- Don't be loud, goof off or crack jokes.

- Don't point at images of Buddha.

- Do not raise yourself higher than the image of Buddha(e.g., sitting on the raised platform for a photo).

- Take rowdy or unhappy children out of the worship area.

If you want to hang out - monks really don't mind if you do - the proper way to sit in front of a Buddha image is to have legs tucked underneath of you as the worshipers do. While sitting, avoid pointing your feet at the image of Buddha or other people. If monks come into the hall, stand up until they finish their prostrations.

When ready to leave, don't raise yourself higher than the Buddha statue and do not turn your back to it; back away instead.

Taking Photos Inside Temples

For travelers, the worst offense is to pose for a photo or selfie with back turned to a Buddha image. You aren't "bros" and probably won't be.

Unlike in Japan, taking photos of the Buddha image or worship area is typically allowed in Thailand - unless a sign indicates you shouldn't. Try not to take photos of other worshipers while they are praying.

Yes, monks in Thailand are brilliantly photogenic, but snapping photos without asking isn't nice.

Dos While Visiting a Thailand Temple

- Do remove hats, sunglasses and shoes when entering a worship area.

- Do turn off your mobile phone, remove headphones, and lower your voice.

- Do show respect; now is not the time to share the latest joke you just heard.

- Do step over the wooden threshold to the temple rather than on top of it.

- Do stand up when monks or nuns enter the room.

Dress Modestly

The #1 rule of etiquette for visiting Thai temples is to dress modestly! Save the 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 sleeveless Full Moon Party shirt still stained with bodily fluids. Shorts or pants are supposed to cover the knees.

Really Important: Much of the popular "Sure" brand of clothing sold to backpackers in Thailand depicts themes from Buddhism and Hinduism. One shirt even shows Buddha smoking a blunt. You can imagine how monks feel about this fashion.

Don'ts While Visiting a Thailand Temple

- Don't point at a monk or Buddha statue, either with fingers or feet.

- Don't touch or turn your back to an image of Buddha.

- Don't smoke, spit, chew gum or snack while walking around. Many monks do not eat after noon.

- Don't photograph or disturb monks or anyone else who came to worship.

Women in Thai Temples

Women may never touch a monk or his robes. Even hugs from his own mother are off limits. Touching a monk on accident(i.e., brushing against the robes in a crowded place) requires the monk to perform a lengthy cleansing process(if he acknowledges the contact).

If you must hand a monk something(e.g., paying for a trinket on the way out), put the object down and allow the monk to pick it up.

Giving Donations in Thai Temples

Pretty much every temple in Thailand has one or more metal donation boxes. Donations are neither required nor expected. No one will shame you for not donating. But if you took photos and enjoyed your visit, why not drop 10-20 baht in the box on the 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 purchase a special relic or antique, you probably won't get any hassle. Just in case, don't show them off to immigration officials as you're stamped out of Thailand.

Monk Chat

Some Thai temples, particularly in Chiang Mai, have scheduled "Monk Chat" times when tourists are allowed to meet with 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.

If you sit in a group to talk to the monk, never sit higher than him and sit with your feet beneath of you to show proper respect. Allow the monk to finish talking before you interrupt with a question or comment.

Greg Rodgers