The pandemic has slowed tourism to Thailand’s Buddhist temples, however the influence is greater than financial

(The conversation) – The economies of tourism-dependent countries are clearly suffering as visitor numbers plummet as a result of the pandemic.

Alone in Thailand, a country where tourism matters 11% -12% of GDP, the The number of international tourists decreased by 83% in 2020. In December 2020 – usually a high season month – the country received just over 6,000 foreign tourists – a 99.8% decrease compared to December 2019when there were nearly 4 million foreign tourists.

The Thai government estimates a Loss of 100 billion Thai baht (over $ 3 billion) in the first quarter of 2020 and a loss of about 1.45 million jobs as a result of this slump in tourism.

However, the actual loss cannot be captured with these figures alone. Many intercultural exchange opportunities have also been lost.

I’ve spent much of the past decade in Chiang Mai, a medium-sized city in northern Thailand. which is heavily dependent on tourism. As a scholar who the Relationship between tourism and Buddhist temples In the pre-pandemic region, I can assess the impact of COVID-19 on these sites of religious importance.

Some Buddhist temples that relied heavily on foreign tourist donations are now struggling to weather the pandemic. In addition, small businesses around Tempel were hit hard, as was the knowledge exchange with international visitors.

Temples and tourism

Before the pandemic, Wat Phra Chetuphon, better known as Wat Pho and one of the most visited temples in Bangkok, received approx 6,000-10,000 tourists a day. Foreign tourists pay an entry fee of 200 baht, or $ 6.40, while Thais enter for free.

In one (n interview In January 2021, the deputy abbot of Wat Pho told the Thai news agency Prachachat that the temple could survive this time without tourists for the time being, but not for long. With donations from Thais, they were able to pay the basic costs for water and electricity and hire cleaning and security personnel. But without the foreign tourist fees it would be difficult to find that monthly budget of approximately $ 96,000.

Wat Phra Kaeo or Temple of the Emerald Buddha in the Grand Palace of Bangkok, which usually attracts visitors from around the world, has seen fewer visitors due to COVID-19.
Ben Davies / LightRocket via Getty Images

Foreign visitors are also rare in Bangkok’s most famous temple, Wat Phra Kaeo or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. This temple is part of the Grand Palace, the former residence of the Thai royal family. In 2016, the Grand Palace became one of the world’s 50 most visited tourist attractions in the world of Travel + Leisure magazine with over 8 million visitors per year.

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Typically, the high tourist season would see a long line to enter and crowds inside, with foreigners paying $ 16 to enter the temple and Grand Palace. Again, there is no entry for Thai citizens.

The losses were substantial to members of the monastic community and small businesses that thrive near these famous temples. Many vendors selling water, street food, and souvenirs around the temple have lost their income. Many of these people work in Thailand’s informal economy. A survey from 2018 found 55.3% of the total population of Thailand found work through this informal economy.

Cultural exchange

Much of the loss of engagement between foreign tourists and the monastic community cannot be measured in money. My current book highlights the energy and effort that student monks have put into creating programs for overseas tourists to learn about their religion, many of which target travelers or student groups in college or gap year programs.

In my research, I have found that these cultural exchange programs are beneficial to tourists and the goals of Buddhist monasticism. Several Visitors volunteer while traveling in developing or underdeveloped countries to support those in need. At the same time, these volunteer tourists immerse themselves in different cultures, religions and ways of life.

In Thailand, volunteer tourists typically teach English and could also live in a temple for several months. In my interviews, these tourists said that the experience enabled them to get to know themselves, reflect and reflect on their own values new ideas for a happy life.

Buddhist monks see it as their duty to spread their teachings to all who are curious. A program called Monk chathosted by Wat Suan Dok Buddhist Temple and MahaChulalongkorn Buddhist University Individual and small group discussions between monks and foreign travelers in English.

The Monk Chat program offers group talks as well as individual talks with foreign tourists in the Buddhist temple Wat Suan Dok in June 2018.
Brooke Schedneck, CC BY

Monks who participate in these programs say that because of their discussions with foreigners, they often develop new ways of thinking – from a greater acceptance of cultural differences to deep reflection on the monastic lifestyle.

For example, when I asked: “How have you changed after meeting foreign tourists?” a monk answered that he simply accepted the monastic rules and practices without considering their purpose. However, when tourists asked why he shaved his head and wore yellow robes, he thought his lack of hair and uniform was a simple lifestyle. He understood more deeply that monks had to give up such expressions of individuality as hairstyle and fashion preferences.

Because of the pandemic, Monk Chat has switched to online addressing. Since April 2020, MonkChat Live is streamed almost every week on Facebook, where various guests, usually monks, prepare some reflections on a specific topic related to Buddhism in the modern world, such as life lessons from COVID-19.

Facebook Live is a good alternative right now, but it doesn’t have the same effect as talking face to face with foreigners. The format is more formal, with little opportunity for face-to-face exchange or to observe the playful way monks interact with one another.

These losses are difficult to measure, but they will undoubtedly have profound effects for some time to come.

(Brooke Schedneck is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Rhodes College. The views expressed in this comment do not necessarily reflect those of the Religion News Service.)

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