"Religion, Beliefs, and Sacred Things"

These have always been a source of spiritual support for Thais, serving as a central anchor for the Buddhist community. Especially when faced with serious problems, many turn to temples to make merit, seek blessings, and ward off misfortune, while also being a hub for luck and lottery numbers during each draw.

It's no surprise... that each year, the money circulating in activities related to religion, beliefs, and sacred things amounts to a staggering 10 billion baht....

        This figure comes from a poll conducted by the Office of Trade Policy and Strategy (OTPS), Ministry of Commerce, which surveyed consumer behavior among 7,904 people across all districts in October 2020. It found that Thais donate and worship sacred things and religious beliefs for encouragement, generating a nationwide circulation of 10.8 billion baht per year, which accounts for 0.36% of Thailand's tourism value. This does not even include the money from foreign tourists, especially from China, who, prior to the COVID-19 crisis, frequently visited to pray at sacred sites like the Emerald Buddha and Erawan Shrine.

 

        The high economic value associated with this has significant implications for the economy. Simply put, the journeys made by people to make merit from all regions support the growth of tourism in those areas, with money flowing into local vendors, increasing their income.

"For a clearer example, currently, the "Child Spirit of Wat Chedi" in Sichon, Nakhon Si Thammarat is a sacred entity that many people believe in and travel to worship. During the recent long holiday, it was observed that over ten thousand people visited daily to pray and fulfill vows, with more than 140,000 visitors each month. This has significantly boosted the tourism sector in Nakhon Si Thammarat, particularly with flights from Bangkok to Nakhon Si Thammarat increasing to over 30 flights per day."

Looking at the data from the OTPS survey, it is evident that the main objectives of making merit are related to encouragement, income, and work, aligning with the current economic and social conditions. The majority, over 47.58%, prefer to donate to merit boxes, while 39.46% contribute to monk offerings.

 

 

Although the economic value of "beliefs - sacred things" is growing well, issues related to religion and beliefs are sensitive matters. Therefore, caution must be exercised in formulating appropriate policy measures, taking into account the context of beliefs and culture in each locality to avoid conflicts and distortions of facts that may arise.

Thus, focusing on promoting and maintaining these places in good condition, in line with tourism promotion measures, can effectively support Thai tourism and create added value for the economy in this sector.