Research & Article

Monks and Mediums: Religious Syncretism in Northern Thailand

By Marjorie A. Muecke

Published on 12 May 2024

Location of original sources

Journal of the Siam Society (JSS) Vol. 80.2 (1992)

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Monks and Mediums: Religious Syncretism in Northern Thailand


This paper discusses the longstanding and synergistic coexistence of Buddhism and animistic beliefs within Thai society. Buddhist monks serve as the primary disseminators of the Buddha's teachings, dedicating their lives to the pursuit of spiritual liberation. At the same time, spirit mediums act as intermediaries between the human and supernatural realms, channeling the intentions of divine entities. In the northern region of Thailand, belief in spirits remains remarkably robust. This article examines how Buddhism and animism continue to intertwine harmoniously in the contemporary era.