8 replies to this topic

[Lucas]

How do you dress when you go to the temple.

I saw this cute boys picture on another forum.

You think they will let him in ? http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/index.ph...mage&img=73

[TheCount]

shorts not allowed

[Bob]

How do you dress when you go to the temple.

This first line of your post, at least, was an intelligent question.

Typically, one wears long pants to a temple and to other important Thai sites (such as the King's temples). The key is to cover your knees (and long shorts that usually do that are generally accepted). And, of course, shoes off before entering the temples - and one is expected not to step on the lintel at the threshhold with your socks or bare feet.

[DOLLY]

one is expected not to step on the lintel at the threshhold with your socks or bare feet.

I have always wondered why the lintel is raised on temples and many Chinese homes. It seem awkward for entering, especially for the elderly. Does it have to do with religion or superstition, or something as practical as keeping the rain out. Does anyone know ?

[Bob]

I don't have a clue.....but I've read that stepping on the raised threshold (I said "lintel" before - which, of course, is above the door) offends the older and more conservative Thais. Again, I don't know why.

Edit: Just found this somewhere on the net:
"It’s also bad manners (and bad luck) to place your foot on the raised threshold of the wat. Always take care to step over it. This applies to every building in Thailand that has a raised threshold which is traditionally there to keep out evil spirits."

Second Edit: Also found this:
"According to superstition and traditional Thai belief, the raised thresholds of Thai houses prevent evil spirits from creeping in at night and disrupting the sleep of the inhabitants. And functionally, the raised thresholds act as a frame. All of the temples in Thailand also have similar thresholds.
Additionally in the past, the thresholds of the door were raised to prevent babies and small children from falling into the water, Back in those days, majority of the houses were built along the rivers and canals."

Third Edit: Also found:
"According to superstition and traditional Thai belief, the raised thresholds of Thai houses prevent evil spirits from creeping in at night and disrupting the sleep of the inhabitants. It also served a functional purpose.
The raised threshold acted as a structural aid holding the wall sections firmly in place on their frame.
Additionally the early settlements of the Thai kingdom were largely agricultural communities built along rivers, canals and waterways. Hence to prevent babies and small children from falling into the water, the thresholds of the door were raised."

So it appears the raised thresholds are there to keep the boogeymen out and the babies in.....

[Rogie]

Thanks for posting those details Bob. Stepping over the threshold was something I wasn't really conscious about - looking back I cannot honestly say I've never stepped on one - at least now I know what's correct procedure plus the reason for them being there.

This is no news for most of you, but it's worth mentioning that if you wish to visit a wat and arrive dressed inappropriately you can, certainly in the larger wats, borrow suitable clothing, eg. baggy trousers. I had to do this on my last visit to Doi Suthep just north of Chiang Mai. When you are out for the day sightseeing, and it's hot weather, it is easy to forget the shorts you're wearing might turn out to be a poor choice.

[Bob]

This is no news for most of you, but it's worth mentioning that if you wish to visit a wat and arrive dressed inappropriately you can, certainly in the larger wats, borrow suitable clothing, eg. baggy trousers. I had to do this on my last visit to Doi Suthep just north of Chiang Mai. When you are out for the day sightseeing, and it's hot weather, it is easy to forget the shorts you're wearing might turn out to be a poor choice.

Yep, they'll usuallly help you out a bit. Once, while visiting the King's summer palace near Cha'am, my shorts didn't quite cover my knees and I ended up wearing some type of sari they gave me so I could continue to visit (and I'd note that a majority of all visitors that I saw there wore shorts - just a little longer variety than I was wearing).

[Harold]

One of the great inconsistencies about religion here is that they make you cover up your knees to visit a temple but they don't hesitate to put a small shrine overlooking the stage in a gogo bar which boys and girls wai as they enter the stage to cavort in underwear - or less.

[Bob]

I think what you see at the bar (and at stores and houses and damn near everywhere else) is what's called a spirit house.....which is slightly different than a holy shrine. More animist than buddhist (after all, gotta keep those evil spirits out - which begs the question as to why they don't ward off some falangs...haha).