Buddhism is the predominant religion in Thailand. It is practised by more than 90% of the total population and is deeply influenced by Hinduism, with most Siamese Thai people revering major Hindu deities in their day to day religious practices. The Thai Constitution does not indicate any state religion, but promotes Buddhism, while guaranteeing religious freedom for all Thai citizens. Ramakien (the Thai version of Ramayana) is recognised as the country's national epic.

Many other people, especially among the Isan ethnic group, practise Tai folk religions. A significant minority Muslim population, mostly constituted by Thai Malays, is present especially in the southern regions. According to an Ipsos survey, Christians might be a similarly significant religious minority population (4%). It's also reported that 1% prefer not to say and another 1% has no religion. Thai law officially recognizes five religions: Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, and Sikhism.

Demographics

According to official census data from 2018, approximately 94% of Thais follow Buddhism. On the other hand, non-census data from 2023 has put the figure at 90% of Thais being Buddhist. The religious life of the country is more complex than how it is portrayed by such statistics. Of the large Thai Chinese population, the vast majority of those who follow Buddhism have been shifted into the dominant Theravada tradition, with only a small minority having retained Chinese Buddhism. Otherwise, a large part of the Thai Chinese have retained the practice of ethnic Chinese religion, including Taoism, Confucianism and Chinese salvationist religions (such as Yiguandao and the Church of Virtue). Despite being practised freely, these religions have no official recognition, and their followers are counted as Theravada Buddhists in statistical studies. Also, many Thai and Isan practise their ethnic Tai folk religion.

Muslims are the second largest religious group in Thailand at 4% to 5% of the population. Thailand's southernmost provinces - Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Satun, Trang, and part of Songkhla - have large Muslim populations, consisting of both ethnic Thai and Malay.

Christians, mainly Catholics, represent about 4% of the population as of 2023.

A small but influential community of Sikhs and some Hindus, mostly live in the country's cities and are engaged in retail commerce.

There is also a small Jewish community in Thailand, dating back to the 17th century.

According to the 2015 Gallup International survey, Thailand was the most religious country of the 65 countries polled, with 94% of Thais identifying as religious.

Censuses Overview Religion Census 2010 Pilot Census 2015 Pilot Census 2018Population %Population %Population %Buddhism61,746,429 63,620,298 63,299,192 Islam3,259,340 2,892,311 3,639,233 Christianity789,376 787,589 767,624 Hinduism41,808 22,110 12,195Sikhism11,124 716 Confucianism16,718 1,030 2,009Other religions70,742 1,583 Not religious46,122 2,925 2,082 Unknown3,820 4,085 Total65,981,660 67,228,562 67,726,419

Religions by region According to the 2015 pilot census, 67,328,562 Thailand residents in the different regions of the country belonged to the following religious groups: ReligionBangkokCentral RegionNorthern RegionNortheastern RegionSouthern Region # % # % # % # % # %Buddhism8,197,188 18,771,520 11,044,018 18,698,599 6,908,973 Islam364,855 247,430 35,561 16,851 2,227,613 Christianity146,592 214,444 393,969 13,825 18,759 Hinduism16,306 5,280 207 318 Sikhism 378 491 Other religions 294 1,808 359 Not religious289 473 1,001 436 72

Religions by province According to the 2010 census, Thailand residents in the different provinces of the country belonged to the following religious groups:

ReligionBuddhismIslamChristianityHinduismConfucianismSikhismOther religionsNot religious Unknown Total # % # % # % # % # % # % # % # % # %Bangkok 7,686,022 92.54% 382,385 4.60% 157,534 1.89% 22,820 0.27% 6,800 0.08% 7,183 0.08% 24,330 0.29% 17,091 0.20% 1,053 0.01% 8,305,218Amnat Charoen 281,675 99.28% 267 0.09% 1,649 0.58% 59 0.02% 13 0.01% 13 0.01% 53 0.02% – – – – 283,729Ang Thong 249,847 98.25% 3,994 1.57% 213 0.08% 172 0.07% 7 0.01% 7 0.01% 42 0.01% 9 0.01% – – 254,292Bueng Kan 360,468 99.37% 242 0.07% 1,913 0.53% 96 0.03% 21 0.01% 12 0.01% – – 3 0.01% – – 362,754Buriram 1,261,658 98.96% 1,911 0.15% 7,508 0.59% 745 0.06% 278 0.02% 131 0.01% 1,746 0.14% 911 0.07% 25 0.01% 1,274,912Chachoengsao 663,790 92.76% 46,041 6.43% 4,457 0.62% 231 0.03% 43 0.01% 55 0.01% 626 0.09% 360 0.05% – – 715,603Chai Nat 304,407 99.61% 592 0.19% 424 0.14% 35 0.01% 23 0.01% 18 0.01% 47 0.02% 41 0.01% – – 305,587Chaiyaphum 961,401 99.74% 944 0.10% 1,185 0.12% 227 0.02% 59 0.01% 57 0.01% 9 0.01% 16 0.01% 9 0.01% 963,907Chanthaburi 475,653 97.95% 1,937 0.40% 5,922 1.22% 129 0.03% 65 0.01% 40 0.01% 1,016 0.21% 849 0.17% – – 485,611Chiang Mai 1,592,164 91.66% 6,789 0.39% 133,761 7.70% 790 0.05% 365 0.02% 189 0.01% 546 0.03% 2,420 0.14% 17 0.01% 1,737,041Chiang Rai 1,065,169 90.81% 3,167 0.27% 103,450 8.82% 478 0.04% 212 0.02% 52 0.01% 139 0.01% 245 0.02% 15 0.01% 1,172,928Chonburi 1,463,280 94.08% 23,269 1.50% 56,878 3.66% 1,155 0.07% 610 0.04% 426 0.03% 6,139 0.39% 3,601 0.23% – – 1,555,358Chumphon 462,822 98.94% 3,545 0.76% 1,040 0.22% 115 0.02% 88 0.02% 11 0.01% 79 0.01% 101 0.02% – – 467,801Kalasin 821,714 99.66% 1,058 0.13% 1,348 0.16% 72 0.01% 30 0.01% 33 0.01% 203 0.02% 76 0.01% – – 824,534Kamphaeng Phet 790,017 99.08% 1,571 0.20% 3,775 0.47% 226 0.03% 124 0.01% 94 0.01% 746 0.09% 838 0.11% – – 797,391Kanchanaburi 789,692 98.52% 2,849 0.35% 7,833 0.97% 203 0.02% 204 0.02% 20 0.01% 145 0.01% 573 0.07% – – 801,519Khon Kaen 1,731,964 99.43% 2,593 0.15% 6,251 0.36% 517 0.03% 232 0.01% 370 0.02% 39 0.01% 2 0.01% 2 0.01% 1,741,969Krabi 235,594 65.04% 125,476 34.64% 517 0.14% 120 0.03% 59 0.01% 34 0.01% 305 0.08% 93 0.02% 5 0.01% 362,203Lampang 729,866 98.21% 1,422 0.19% 10,730 1.44% 68 0.01% 108 0.01% 37 0.01% 665 0.08% 243 0.03% 3 0.01% 743,143Lamphun 410,259 99.40% 631 0.15% 1,698 0.41% 30 0.01% 12 0.01% 16 0.01% 96 0.02% – – – – 412,741Loei 543,592 99.55% 544 0.10% 1,778 0.33% – – 12 0.01% 17 0.01% 73 0.01% 16 0.01% – – 546,031Lopburi 765,821 99.47% 1,525 0.20% 1,304 0.17% 141 0.02% 55 0.01% 51 0.01% 294 0.04% 733 0.10% – – 769,925Mae Hong SonMaha SarakhamMukdahanNakhon NayokNakhon Pathom 928,954 98.42% 2,162 0.23% 9,803 1.04% 444 0.05% 108 0.01% 38 0.01% 1,574 0.17% 810 0.09% – – 943,892Nakhon PhanomNakhon RatchasimaNakhon SawanNakhon Si Thammarat 1,353,244 93.30% 94,914 6.54% 1,323 0.09% 250 0.02% 167 0.01% 29 0.01% 538 0.03% – – – – 1,450,466Nan 444,201 98.10% 329 0.07% 8,071 1.78% 27 0.01% 10 0.01% 19 0.01% 156 0.03% – – – – 452,814Narathiwat 93,968 14.02% 575,585 85.90% 212 0.03% 44 0.01% 161 0.02% 30 0.01% 2 0.01% – – – – 670,002Nong Bua Lamphu 484,770 99.75% 448 0.09% 650 0.13% 57 0.01% 13 0.01% 19 0.01% – – 17 0.01% – – 485,974Nong Khai 817,218 99.48% 575 0.07% 3,416 0.42% 214 0.03% 61 0.01% 32 0.01% – – 10 0.01% – – 821,526 Nonthaburi 1,282,703 96.14% 41,816 3.13% 7,760 0.59% 656 0.05% 373 0.01% 89 0.01% 172 0.01% 473 0.03% 40 0.01% 1,334,083Pathum Thani 1,271,785 95.83% 35,867 2.70% 9,807 0.74% 1,367 0.10% 706 0.05% 99 0.01% 6,592 0.50% 845 0.06% 78 0.01% 1,327,147Pattani 94,507 15.52% 513,841 84.37% 221 0.04% 77 0.01% 58 0.01% 49 0.01% 237 0.39% 23 0.01% 3 0.01% 609,015Phang Nga 200,324 77.48% 57,081 22.08% 786 0.30% 98 0.04% 23 0.01% 46 0.01% 2 0.01% 174 0.07% – – 258,534Phatthalung 423,199 87.99% 56,282 11.70% 973 0.20% 79 0.02% 109 0.02% 24 0.01% 248 0.05% 58 0.01% 3 0.01% 480,976Phayao 412,121 98.74% 487 0.12% 4,275 1.02% 35 0.01% 19 0.01% 14 0.01% 103 0.02% 321 0.07% 4 0.01% 417,380Phetchabun 929,722 98.90% 2,774 0.30% 5,818 0.62% 392 0.04% 499 0.05% 57 0.01% 407 0.04% 400 0.04% 7 0.01% 940,076Phetchaburi 460,327 97.41% 10,398 2.20% 1,411 0.30% 61 0.01% 52 0.01% 5 0.01% 128 0.03% 206 0.04% – – 472,589PhichitPhitsanulokPhra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 827,251 95.01% 37,056 4.26% 3,024 0.35% 330 0.04% 78 0.01% 44 0.01% 458 0.05% 57 0.01% 2,373 0.27% 870,671Phrae 423,310 99.04% 551 0.13% 3,118 0.73% 45 0.01% 52 0.01% 35 0.01% 184 0.04% 101 0.02% 2 0.01% 427,398Phuket 418,025 79.52% 83,969 15.97% 19,058 3.63% 1,011 0.19% 67 0.01% 104 0.02% 930 0.18% 2,453 0.47% 91 0.02% 525,709PrachinburiPrachuap Khiri KhanRanongRatchaburi 781,901 98.14% 2,802 0.35% 10,108 1.27% 411 0.05% 205 0.03% 90 0.01% 474 0.06% 757 0.10% – – 796,748RayongRoi EtSa Kaeo 553,526 99.56% 721 0.13% 1,393 0.25% 90 0.01% 31 0.01% 14 0.01% 54 0.01% 132 0.02% – – 555,961Sakon NakhonSamut PrakanSamut PrakanSamut SongkhramSaraburiSatun 89,715 32.64% 184,552 67.14% 403 0.15% 17 0.01% 152 0.06% 16 0.01% – – 8 0.01% – – 274,863Sing Buri 197,857 98.94% 891 0.45% 1,149 0.57% 50 0.03% 3 0.01% 7 0.01% – – 23 0.01% 2 0.01% 199,982Sisaket 1,047,650 99.21% 1,677 0.16% 5,818 0.55% 196 0.02% 30 0.01% 41 0.01% 312 0.03% 255 0.02% – – 1,055,979Songkhla 1,102,830 74.46% 374,728 25.30% 2,635 0.18% 218 0.01% 214 0.01% 37 0.01% 271 0.01% 88 0.01% – – 1,481,021SukhothaiSuphan BuriSurat Thani 978,368 96.93% 22,521 2.23% 2,313 0.23% 460 0.05% 238 0.02% 42 0.01% 2,469 0.24% 2,940 0.29% – – 1,009,351SurinTakTrang 511,698 85.44% 85,609 14.29% 1,216 0.20% 74 0.01% 13 0.01% 26 0.01% 200 0.03% 40 0.01% – – 598,877TratUbon RatchathaniUdon ThaniUthai ThaniUttaraditYala 100,778 23.27% 331,747 76.59% 453 0.10% 69 0.02% 61 0.01% 40 0.01% – – 16 0.01% 3 0.01% 433,167Yasothon 482,651 98.91% 453 0.09% 4,689 0.96% 140 0.03% 28 0.01% 15 0.01% – – – – – – 487,976Total 61,746,429 100% 3,259,340 100% 789,376 100% 41,808 100% 16,718 100% 11,124 100% 66,922 100% 46,122 100% 3,820 100% 65,981,660

Buddhism

Buddhism in Thailand is largely of the Theravada school. Over 90% of Thailand's population adheres to this school.

Thai Buddhism is practised alongside various indigenous religions, such as Chinese indigenous religion by the many Thais of Chinese origin, Hinduism among Thai of Indian origin and Siamese Thai people, Thai folk religion among Northeastern Thai, Northern Thai and Northern Khmer people, and Peranakan folk religion for Peranakans.

Buddhist temples in Thailand are characterised 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 Thailand.

Abrahamic religions

Islam

According to the 2015 census, Thailand has 2,892,311 Muslims, or 4.29% of the total population. 2,227,613 of these Muslims are concentrated in the southern region of the country, where they represent up to 24.33% of the population.

Christianity

Christianity was introduced by European missionaries as early as the 1550s, when Portuguese mercenaries and their chaplain arrived in Ayutthaya. Historically, it has played a significant role in the modernisation of Thailand, notably in social and educational institutions. As of 2015 just over one percent of the population of Thailand are Christians. Of that group, 400,000 are estimated to be Catholics.

Thailand's Department of Religion, currently under the Ministry of Culture, has formally recognised five major Christian churches/denominations: the Catholic Church, the Southern Baptists, the Seventh-day Adventists, the Church of Christ in Thailand, and the Evangelical Fellowship of Thailand. Although not officially recognised, missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) have been active in Thailand for decades, though their converts are comparatively few. Also present are Jehovah's Witnesses, with over 5,200 members and 140 congregations.

Judaism