Main religions

Buddhism

Buddhism in Thailand is largely of the Theravada school. Nearly 95% of Thailand's

population is Buddhist of the Theravada school, though Thai Buddhism is practiced
alongside Chinese indigenous religions by the large Thai Chinese population.[3]

Buddhist temples in Thailand are characterized by tall golden stupas, and the
Buddhist architecture of Thailand is similar to that in other Southeast Asian
countries, especially Cambodia and Laos, which share a cultural and historical
heritage with Cambodia.
Chinese traditional religions

Many within the large Thai Chinese population practice various Chinese traditional
religions, including the worship of local gods, Chinese ancestral worship, Taoism,
Confucianism, Deism and other new sects of the folk religion.[2] Despite the large
number of followers and temples these religions have no state recognition, their
temples are not counted as places of worship, and their followers are counted as
"Theravada Buddhists" in officially-released religious figures.[2] Chinese temples are
called sanchao in Thai language.[2]

The Chinese folk religion of Thailand has developed local features, including the
worship of local gods.[2] Major Chinese festivals such as the Nian, Zhongqiu, and
Qingming are widely celebrated, especially in Bangkok, Phuket, and other parts of
Thailand where there are large Chinese populations.[6]

The Chinese in the city of Phuket sponsor a nine-day vegetarian festival between
September and October. During the festive season, devotees will abstain from meat
and mortification of the flesh by Chinese mediums is also commonly seen. The rites
and rituals are devoted to the veneration of Tua Pek Kong. Such traditions were
developed during the 19th century in Phuket by the local Chinese with influences
from Thai culture.[7]
Tai traditional religions

Many Thais and Isan practice distinctive indigenous religions characterised by

worship of local gods and ancestors. They are very similar to the Chinese folk faiths.