Buddhism is professed by the vast majority of Thailand's population and is considered the national religion; most Thai Buddhists are of the TheravÄda school. Muslims constitute a sizable minority and live mostly in the south. Most of the country's small Christian community lives in the central region. Hindus also are concentrated in the central region, chiefly around Bangkok. Although several of the hill tribes have converted to Buddhism or Christianity, most remain animists.
An unusual aspect of Thai religious life is the considerable influence of the Hindu Brahmans, even though they total only a few thousand families. Most royal and official ceremonies are almost always directed or performed by the Brahmans, whose rites are blended harmoniously with those of the Buddhists. Brahmans are renowned for their astrological expertise, assume responsibility for preparing the national calendar, and officiate at such state ceremonies as the annual plowing ceremony, which is believed to bring a good rice harvest. There are no important new religious movements in Thailand, but Buddhist monks have become more vocal in advocating environmental and social issues
An unusual aspect of Thai religious life is the considerable influence of the Hindu Brahmans, even though they total only a few thousand families. Most royal and official ceremonies are almost always directed or performed by the Brahmans, whose rites are blended harmoniously with those of the Buddhists. Brahmans are renowned for their astrological expertise, assume responsibility for preparing the national calendar, and officiate at such state ceremonies as the annual plowing ceremony, which is believed to bring a good rice harvest. There are no important new religious movements in Thailand, but Buddhist monks have become more vocal in advocating environmental and social issues
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