Thai Beliefs

The most common religion is Thereveda Buddhism. Active participation in Buddhism is among the highest in the world. According to the last census in 2000, 94.6% of the country's population self-identified as Buddhists of the Theravada tradition. Muslims are the second largest religious group in Thailand, comprising 4.6% of the population 17th century.

Islam is concentrated mostly in the country's southernmost provinces: Pattani, Yala, Satun, Narathiwat and part of Songkhla Chumphon, which are predominantly Malay, most of whom are Sunni Muslims.

Christians represent 0.7% of the population, with the remaining population consisting of Sikhs and Hindus, who live mostly in the country's cities. There is also a small but historically significant Jewish community in Thailand dating back to the 17th century.