Stepping Inside Religion: 7 Things to Remember When Visiting a Thai Buddhist Temple

Buddhism is the major religion in Thailand. As such, booking a hotel accommodation in Phuket, Bangkok, or any part of the country always promises a rich encounter with the local practice of the faith. If you are you on your way to this part of southeast Asia, then you should read on to learn about the 7 most important things to keep in mind when visiting Thailand's Buddhist temples.

Respect BuddhaThai people take religion seriously. This is why any disrespectful behavior against Buddha and Buddha's images can actually send a person to jail. You should also know that there is no exemption given for tourists with regard to this rule, so you should be very careful.

Dress appropriatelyThe country is mostly conservative, especially within the walls of its temples. So, the tropical weather is not enough reason for you to wear anything that shows too much skin on the day that you scheduled a visit to a place of worship. Mini skirts, shorts, and sleeveless shirts are not allowed inside. Instead, you have to wear slacks or long skirts, long-sleeved shirts, and hats or head scarves.

Shoes off at the doorBuddhist temples in Thailand are always kept clean; our shoes are considered dirty, so you shouldn't bring them in. One could assume this relates to the prevalent Asian tradition of taking one's shoes off before entering a house as a sign of respect. And since Thais give a lot of respect to Buddha, then as a tourist, you should know that the shoes-off policy is not optional.

Know your placeWhen entering a temple, you should never forget to step over and not on the threshold of the temple. This is because Thais believe that holy Buddhist spirits live in it. In addition, when you see a monk seated, do not walk by him with your head higher than his. To do this, you can sit and shuffle across the floor.

Mind your feetWhen already inside the temple, remember to never point your feet to the direction of the Buddha's image or anyone inside. To keep your feet nicely hidden, you can sit either with your legs crossed or with your feet tucked behind you.

For women, keep distance from monksMonks are not allowed to have direct contact with women. If you want to give a monk something, you should put it down somewhere where he can pick it up. Or, you could ask another male to hand it over for you. In all cases, monks should not be left alone in the same room with a woman.

Ask before you snap a photoSome temples in the country allow tourists to take pictures of the temple. However, there are still some that prohibit this. To be sure, remember to ask permission from authorities before capturing some images with your camera or cellphone.

Thailand's fascinating practice of faith is among the many reasons why tourists visit the country. Thankfully, there is an abundance of hotels like Patong Paragon Resort and Spa that provide accommodation in Phuket, Bangkok, and other cities in the country. Now, guests can enjoy living in comfortable and lavish spaces, while learning about Thailand's religion.