Religion

  • Thailand News

    East Pattaya: Sacred statue draws crowds seeking blessings

    A recent social media post featuring the Kuman Siam Mab Fukthong statue has sparked a pilgrimage frenzy to its location along Mab Fukthong Road in East Pattaya. This towering figure, resembling a majestic white Kuman adorned with a golden crown, stands as tall as a four-storey building, captivating residents and visitors. People from various places are flocking to pay their…

  • Thailand News

    Experts’ warning: Miraculous healers or devious scammers?

    Buddhist leaders, scholars, and mental health experts warn against the increase in religious scams where fraudsters claim they have spiritual powers, heal illnesses, and deceive unsuspecting followers. The man and woman duo from Udon Thani claim they can cure illnesses using a celestial frequency, their throats producing a rhonchi-like sound as a signal from five Lord Buddhas. In Surat Thani,…

  • Thailand News

    Two monks elevated to Deputy Supreme Patriarchs of Thailand

    The Thai monastic community recently witnessed a significant elevation in the ranks of its members with the royal proclamation bestowing high ecclesiastical titles upon two distinguished monks. The announcement, which took place yesterday, and was published today, in the Royal Gazette, marks a momentous occasion in the current era of King Rama X, which began in 2016. The two venerable…

  • World News

    Jehovah’s witness sues hospital over unwanted blood transfusion

    A 53 year old Ecuadorian woman living in Spain, a Jehovah’s Witness, sued a hospital after she underwent surgery and was given a blood transfusion without her consent. Rosa Edelmira Pindo Mulla filled out three forms before the surgery in 2018, expressing her religious objection to any blood transfusion, even if her life was at stake. During the operation, however, doctors…

  • Thailand News

    Thai students meditate on their rights, challenge world record bid

    Thai students are challenging their nation’s quest to shatter the world meditation record with a staggering one million young minds. Amidst this peaceful protest, they argue that this pursuit might tread on the sacred grounds of religious freedom. The Facebook page Bad Students (นักเรียนเลว), which is well-known among Thai students, announced yesterday, October 24, that many schools across the country…

  • Thailand News

    New era in Thai law enforcement as Torasak Sukwimon steps into National Police Chief role

    The newly appointed National Police Chief, Torasak Sukwimon, accompanied by his wife, Nipaphan Sukwimon, and several police officers, performed a sacred ceremony at the National Police Office in Pathumwan earlier today, October 1. Following a royal command, Torasak was relieved of his previous position as Deputy National Police Chief and ascended to the position of National Police Chief of the…

  • Northern Thailand News

    Buddhist temple warns good people can go to hell for using life support

    Wat Pa Kramathan, a famous temple in Nakhon Ratchasima, set up an educational centre to disseminate Buddhist teachings. It has installed a sign with an intriguing Buddhist message: “Doing good deeds can lead to hell.” The temple head explained the reasoning behind this unusual warning today, a condemnation of artificial medical life support. Located in the Non-Saad district of Chokchai,…

  • Thailand News

    Maniq tribe marvels: Southern Thai Buddhist committee champions culture conservation

    A plea for the preservation of the Maniq tribe’s cultural heritage and living standards was recently raised by a Buddhist committee known as the Five Precept Protection Committee, stationed in southern Thailand. Their primary concern is the potential impact of external influences on the tribe. The appeal was made during the committee’s tour of Satun province, where they were assessing…

  • South Thailand News

    Buddhists and Muslims rally for peace together in South Thailand

    In one South Thailand province plagued by violence, Buddhists and Muslims are overcoming religious differences to fight for peace. Buddhist and Muslim leaders conducted demonstrators in a rally for peace in Narathiwat province’s city district this morning. Islamic leaders led prayers for peace. Meanwhile, the chairwoman of the Federation of Buddhist Thais in Narathiwat led the demonstrators in shouting demands…

  • Hot News

    Japan makes path to enlightenment easier with “AI Buddha” tool

    Japan has once again made use of its advanced technological skills by creating an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to help those attain enlightenment. The Buddhist tool, aka AI Buddha, brings ancient scriptures’ spiritual guidance to smartphones. According to Bangkok Post, the software was co-developed by a team of religious and computer academics at Kyoto University. The software has been programmed to…

  • World News

    Hindu husbands’ day celebrated around the world

    Every year married Hindu women observe Karwa Chauth. It is one of the most important festivals for these women, a celebration of marriage, for the welfare of their husbands. The festival falls on the fourth day of Kartik month, the Hindu calendar’s equivalent of Libra in Western astrology. The women observe a day-long fast for the long life and good…

  • Thailand News

    In push for religious harmony, Thailand recognises more churches

    In a push for religious harmony, Thailand has officially recognised three Catholic churches in the kingdom this week. The Ministry of Culture officially approved the churches on August 23, after the churches had reportedly waited 93 years for recognition. The newly approved churches are: Saint Thomas the Apostle Church in Bangkok, Saint Monica Church in Nan Province, and Saint Joseph…

  • Thailand News

    Court lifts 4 year hijab ban at Pattani school

    The court has lifted a ban on hijabs set four years ago at a school in Pattani, southern Thailand. The school claimed that wearing a hijab – or Islamic headscarf – to school went against the Education Ministry’s regulations. Four years of court battles between the school and parents finally ended yesterday when the Yala Administrative Court announced a ruling…

  • Bangkok News

    Thai sweet shop gets mixed reviews over Buddhist amulet candies

    A Thai sweet shop is facing criticism from many locals and praises from others for making candy Buddhist amulets, which are usually worn around the neck as ‘protection’ from evil spirits. Madam Choops candy shop in Samut Songkhram, just southwest of Bangkok, says the edible amulets made from Thai sugar candy can protect your inner organs (but probably less successful…

  • Thailand News

    Thailand’s fusion of religious beliefs: Buddhism, Animism and Brahmanism

    Thailand’s people are known for being devout Theravada, or orthodox, Buddhists. In fact, the country’s government is a theocracy in which many public holidays and ceremonies are officially recognised in its calendar of events. Schools close and government institutions shut down in order to give its residents the day off to celebrate and to take part in national Buddhist ceremonies. …

  • Opinion

    Americans tend to misuse the Buddha image, but a Florida nightclub takes it too far – OPINION

    Americans tend to misuse the Buddha image, but a nightclub in Tampa, Florida has taken it too far by placing a giant Buddha statue at its rooftop bar, allowing drunk people to sit and pose for photos, and even jump off on the statue. Businesses play an important role in society, and when they misuse a religious figure or image…

  • Thailand News

    Thailand News Today | Burmese coup & tourist visa ’emergency extensions’ | February 1

    Myanmar’s military has taken control of the country in a political coup, deposing the elected government after reportedly detaining de-facto leader and ‘State Counsellor’ Aung San Suu Kyi, along with other politicians early this morning. The military-owned Myawaddy TV announced a state of emergency had been declared for 12 months and power transferred to the Junta. A news presenter referred…

  • Thailand News

    Less Thais visiting temples due to Covid-19, religious tourism at a loss

    While Google searches for “prayers” spiked during the Covid-19 outbreak, people in Thailand are spending less time going to temples to pray. In a recent poll, less people are travelling to temples and making merit due to the pandemic, according to the Commerce Ministry’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office. The office recently did a poll and found that 44% of…

  • Business News

    Thai Airways to launch one-off flight over sacred Buddhist sites

    Thai Airways has announced a special flight on November 30 that will give passengers the opportunity to chant Buddhist mantras while flying over 99 sacred sites in the Kingdom. Wiwat Piyawiroj, executive vice-president at the struggling national carrier, says passengers will fly over Bangkok and 31 provinces, taking in 99 holy sites, over which they will be able to chant…

  • Thailand News

    Thais continue to provide for the spirits despite tough times

    Spirits don’t rest in Thailand, even when there’s a nationwide lockdown and viral pandemic swirling around the world. Thai people continue to give what they can to provide for the spirits, even if it’s just a glass of water or Fanta, placing offerings by trees where spirits live, or on spirit houses which are often outside homes and businesses. One…

  • World News

    China has the most atheists, Indonesia and Philippines the most believers

    “According to the survey there is a connection between religiosity, beliefs and socio-demographic characteristics like age, income and education level.” China is the least believing country in the world but belief in a God gets 100% mention in countries like Indonesia, Bangladesh and Philippines, according to the survey by Gallup International. According to the survey exploring religious tendencies of 66,000…