Prayers

Thai people go to the "BOT" (โบสถ์ - main building in a temple) in order to pray and make good deeds ("THAM BUN" - ทำบุญ).

When praying and requesting a favor to Buddha, Thai people take three incense sticks (ธููป), i.e one pour the Buddha, one for the Sangha (สังฆ - Buddhist community), one for the Dharma (ธรรม - teachings of the Buddha), a flower (ดอกไม้ - orchid or lotus, which symbolizes the Buddhist teachings purity) and a small candle (เทียน - it symbolizes comprehension enlightenment). They lit the incense sticks and kneel three times and put the incense sticks in front of the statue.

Praying

For Buddhists in Thailand, incense is an important element of worship to pay respect to Buddha.
	Incense sticks

	They cover the Buddha statue with a thin golden leaf to honour Buddha teachings. In case of pain, the thin golden leaf shall be stuck at the same painful location on the Buddha statue.
Stick golden leaves

Garlands ("DOOK MALAI" - ดอกมาลัย) are also offered to Buddha statues. Their white color symbolizes the beauty of Buddha's teachings. When they get old, they symbolize the life impermanence.
	Garlands

	Thai Buddhist people also read the future in paper wrapped around sticks. In a box there are a few sticks. They move the box up and down in order that a stick falls from the box. Then they read the paper to know their future.
Read future

Buckets are offered to monks as a way to get merit. In buckets can be found many items such as rice, washing powder, medicine, monks clothes, fruit juice, candles, matches, soap, umbrella, sandals, lights, milk, tins, brushing tooth paste and brush, water, toilet paper, noodles. Bulks are wrapped with transparent paper.
	Buckets

In some crowded temples, buckets are not opened and are sold again immediately. In fact there are more buckets sold than monks living in the temples. It is just an another way to get merit.

	When doing offering, people have to write their name in books or various parts that will be embedded in building construction.
Roof parts offering

When visiting temple, Thai people consult and discuss with monks about earthly problems in order to get advice or to get a blessing from monks. Thai people offer money for the temple and the monks often give amulets.
	Temple abbot

	This Thai lady is praying and offering yellow robes to Buddha and the monk community.
Offering clothes

สาดน้ำ or "SAT NAM" is the action of pouring holy water on the floor. To give strength and good deeds to spirits, Thai people pour water on the floor to honour the dead. During Buddhist ceremonies, Thai people pray for dead relatives or give food to monks in the name of dead relatives. It gives good deeds to dead spirits and help them to shorten the time to wait for next life.
	Buddha statues

	End of the day, the temple will close. Oil burners are blown out, candles have melt. The atmosphere is peaceful.
Praying

เชิงเทียนสุพรรณหงส์ or "CHEUNG THIEN SUPHANNAHONG " is often seen in temples to burn small candles. It has the shape of one of the Royal barge.
	Burn candles

	On Buddhist holy day ("WAN PHRA" - วันพระ), some Thai buddhist laymen or laywomen wear white clothes and chant sacred prayers (สวดมนต์) at evening time. Meditation is performed.
Buddhist holy day

On Buddhist holy day (วันพระ), according to Thai traditional belief, hair shall not be cut on that day to preserve longevity (จะอายุนาน).

On Buddhist holy day ("WAN PHRA" - วันพระ), fresh flowers are put in the vases on the family Buddhist altar. Vegetarian food is only allowed on that day. Incense sticks are lit. Offering such as fresh fruits is done.
	Buddhist altar

On the altar, various other objects are displayed, i.e. two mystical snakes (พยานาค - "PHAJANAK"), betel (หมาก) for old people, money (coins and notes), water through two glasses for the mystical snakes be able to drink and one plate for the mystical snakes be able to swim, fresh flowers and fruits.

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