Taseer Examines Thailand’s 94% Buddhist Majority, Linking Monks, Monarchy and 12 Coups
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 14
Taseer Examines Thailand’s 94% Buddhist Majority, Linking Monks, Monarchy and 12 Coups
2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 14
Thailand anchors the second chapter of Aatish Taseer’s three-part travel series, shifting from Buddhism’s origins in Nepal to a country where the religion is state-sanctioned and deeply entwined with power.
Some 94% of Thais are Buddhist, and Taseer describes a clergy closely aligned with the monarchy, which has often acted alongside the military in a political system marked by 12 coups since 1932.
He traces that structure to the late 13th century, when King Ramkhamhaeng promoted Theravada orthodoxy—using Pali and stricter monastic discipline—to reinforce royal authority.
The piece contrasts Buddhism’s spiritual spread across Asia with its political use in Thailand, where a scandal-hit sangha still benefits from royal patronage even as younger voters have shown growing non-royalist sentiment.
Can an $85 million loan save Buddha's birthplace from being just a brief tourist stop?
Was Emperor Ashoka's embrace of Buddhism a spiritual conversion or a brilliant political calculation?
How does a writer's loss of citizenship shape his story of a borderless faith?
Tracing Buddhism’s Journey: Cultural Adaptation, Nationalism, and Youth Disengagement in Asia (2026)
Overview
Aatish Taseer's three-part cover story, published in May 2026, explores the journey of Buddhism from its origins in the Indian subcontinent to its diverse forms in Nepal, Thailand, and Taiwan. The report highlights how Buddhism, which began in the sixth century B.C., spread across Asia by blending with local beliefs and customs. Taseer's travels start in Lumbini, Nepal, the Buddha's birthplace, and follow the religion's evolution through different cultures. This journey shows how Buddhism's teachings influenced the continent and adapted to new environments, creating a rich tapestry of traditions and practices.