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The Study of Wai Phra Kao Wat in Bangkok, Thailand Durham E-Theses The study of Wai Phra Kao Wat in Bangkok, Thailand KAIMOOK, NATTAPORN How to cite: KAIMOOK, NATTAPORN (2018) The study of Wai Phra Kao Wat in Bangkok, Thailand, Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/12874/ Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in Durham E-Theses • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full Durham E-Theses policy for further details. Academic Support Oce, Durham University, University Oce, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 0191 334 6107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk The study of Wai Phra Kao Wat in Bangkok, Thailand Abstract A study of Wai Phra Kao Wat (Paying Homage to a Buddha Image to the Nine Temples) in Bangkok, Thailand Nattaporn Kaimook The study presents a new form of pilgrimage introduced by Thai authorities and involving visiting to nine temples (Wai Phra Kao Wat) in Bangkok. I will focus on four main aspects of this phenomenon. Firstly, the study will describe the dynamic application of the practice (Wai Phra Kao Wat) including the forms of devotion, the designation of temples by authorities, the pilgrims’ experience, and the role played by local ‘communities’ (chumchon). 1Secondly, the study will consider this pilgrimage as a case study with which to explore how Thai cultural phenomena provide multiple avenues for Thai people to reflect on their perception of the relation between Buddhism (Theravada Buddhism in particular) and the state. Thirdly, the study explores the contribution of ‘new’ performances of religiosity in popular Buddhism into shaping modern economy and rhetorical politics. Lastly, the study will provide the significance of Wai Phra Kao Wat that could shed light on important contemporary Thai cultural phenomena such as the emergence of ‘pilgrimage tourism’ on socio-cultural and economic changes and the relationship between ritual practice and Thai citizenship. The ethnographic methods including participant observation and interviewing are mainly employed throughout the fieldwork. I conclude that Buddhism in contemporary Thailand becomes an instrument to negotiate identities and meanings at the level of governance. Wai Phra Kao Wat, a state-oriented campaign, has been then utilised to enhance Thai capital’s venture into the global economy as well as to establish regime legitimacy with the inculcation of nation, religion, and monarchy. 1 In this study I use the term ‘community’ in the sense of the Thai word ‘chumchon’. ‘Chumchon’ means a group of people who live in the same area and gain mutual benefit from their proximity and activities (The Royal Institute 2002). 2 A study of Wai Phra Kao Wat (Paying Homage to a Buddha Image to the Nine Temples) in Bangkok, Thailand MISS NATTAPORN KAIMOOK Submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology Department of Anthropology, Durham University Supervised by Prof Michael B. Carrithers, Dr Claudia Merli, and Prof Bob Simpson 2018 3 Table of Contents Abstract ...................................................................................................................................1 Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................3 Table of Figures .....................................................................................................................6 List of Abbreviations .............................................................................................................8 Statement of Copyright ..........................................................................................................9 Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................. 10 The outline of the contents ................................................................................................. 13 Chapter 1 Introduction to Wai Phra Kao Wat ................................................................... 14 Background ..................................................................................................................... 14 Bangkok ........................................................................................................................... 16 Topography ................................................................................................................. 17 Bangkok’s populations ............................................................................................... 21 The aims of the study ...................................................................................................... 23 The objectives of the study ............................................................................................. 24 Methodology ................................................................................................................... 24 Fieldwork experiences .................................................................................................... 27 Ethics ............................................................................................................................... 33 Literature review ............................................................................................................. 34 Rituals .......................................................................................................................... 34 Pilgrimage and religious tourism ............................................................................... 38 Pilgrimage ................................................................................................................... 39 Religious Tourism ...................................................................................................... 45 Theoretical framework.................................................................................................... 50 Performance Theory ................................................................................................... 50 Rhetorical perspectives ............................................................................................... 52 Ritual and power ......................................................................................................... 53 Key definitions ................................................................................................................ 54 Pilgrimage ................................................................................................................... 55 Thainess ....................................................................................................................... 56 Chapter 2 The multiple paths to Wai Phra Kao Wat in Bangkok .................................... 58 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 58 Studies of Wai Phra Kao Wat ........................................................................................ 58 Origins and development of Wai Phra Kao Wat .......................................................... 62 4 Wai Phra Kao Wat routes in 2015 – 2016 ..................................................................... 70 The routes organised by public authorities ............................................................... 71 The routes organised by private agencies ................................................................. 78 The diversity of wai phra kao wat in popular culture .................................................. 84 Modern pilgrimage and religious tourism ................................................................. 84 Film .............................................................................................................................. 85 Online and miniature model pilgrimages .................................................................. 86 Chapter 3 The Expansion of Religious Innovation: The Commercialisation of Popular Buddhism in Contemporary Thailand ................................................................................ 91 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 91 The Relationship between Religion and Money from Anthropological Perspective . 92 The hybridity of popular Buddhism............................................................................... 96 Wai Phra Kao Wat: Hybridisation of religions in popular Buddhism ........................ 98 The influence of Thai traditional folk beliefs ........................................................... 99 The influence of Brahmanism and Hinduism ......................................................... 105 The influence of Chinese deities .............................................................................. 107 The influence of Buddhist saints and monks .......................................................... 109 The influence of holy kings...................................................................................... 111 The
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