Religion in Thailand - Hinduism

Hinduism

Several thousand Hindus live in Thailand, mainly in the larger cities. Thailand its earliest days was under the rule of the Khmer Empire, which had strong Hindu roots, and the influence remains even today. The popular Ramakien epic is based on the Hindu Ramayana. The former capital of Ayutthaya was named for Ayodhya, the Indian birthplace of the Hindu god Rama. Brahmin rituals are still common, including the use of holy strings for blessing and pouring of lustral water from conch shells. Hindu deities are worshipped by many Thais despite their official Buddhism, and statues of Ganesh, Indra, and Shiva are everywhere to be seen. The Samudra manthan - wherein Devas and Asuras churn the ocean of milk, with Lord Vishnu's Kurma Avatar (also standing on top of the mountain in his four-armed form) carrying a mountain as a pivot - is showcased at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. Another relic of Hinduism is the mythical Garuda, now a symbol of the monarchy.

According to the Thai Census of 2005, there are 52,631 Hindus living in Thailand, making up just 0.09% of the total population.