At first glance, India and Thailand may seem like two very different cultures. But did you know that these two nations share a deep and fascinating connection?
When you dig deeper, you will notice that the words people use in Thailand, the festivals they celebrate, and the traditions that have been carried forward, especially in the Thai royal families, have significant Indian influence.
Here are 7 facts revealing surprising connections between Thailand and India.
Did you know that many Thai words used in everyday life are derived from Sanskrit, Pali, and Persian? For example, words like sukh and dukh appear in both Thai and Sanskrit, sounding almost identical and carrying the same meanings, happiness and sadness.
Even many words used in the Thai royal language, like Racha, come from the Sanskrit word Raja, which means king or ruler.
Other Thai words are also pronounced quite similarly to Hindi and Urdu words. For instance, rose is kulab in Thai and gulab in Hindi and Urdu, while sabu means soap in Thai and is similar to sabun in Hindi and Urdu.
Hinduism has had a strong influence on Thai culture, with many Thais worshipping Hindu gods such as Ganesh, Brahma, and Vishnu.
The reason behind this is that between 500 and 1300 AD, Indian traders, monks, and Brahmins travelled to Southeast Asia and brought Sanskrit culture, Hinduism and Buddhism, ancient texts like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, and royal ceremonial traditions.
The renowned Erawan Shrine houses a statue of Brahma, drawing countless Thai devotees who come to offer prayers and seek good fortune.
The Phra Khrut Pha (Garuda) is a mythical creature that has the body of a man and the wings and claws of an eagle. In Thai culture, the Garuda represents power, protection, loyalty, and authority, and it is mainly used as a symbol of the Thai monarchy and the government.
What’s interesting is that the Garuda originally comes from ancient Indian mythology. The Garuda is the vahana (vehicle) of the god Vishnu, and past kings of Thailand followed the idea of divine kingship, even believing they were an incarnation (avatar) of Narayana.
Thailand’s royal dynasty is called the Chakri Dynasty. The kings of this dynasty use the name Rama followed by a number, like Rama I, Rama II, and the present dynasty.
King Rama I (1782), the founder of this dynasty, chose the name Rama because he saw Lord Rama as an ideal ruler who ruled with honesty and bravery and always followed dharma (moral duty). So he adopted that title as inspiration, hinting at the kind of reign he wished to establish.
Even though Thailand mostly follows Buddhist teachings, ancient Hindu traditions are still used in royal families. During the coronation process in Thailand, Brahmin priests perform the rituals, and holy water ceremonies are also carried out to bless the king.
Sacred chants and conch shells from the Hindu tradition are also used, so the monarch in Thailand is symbolically shown as a Dharma ruler, representing them as a ruler who rules according to moral duty.
Thai rulers chose the name Ayutthaya to connect their kingdom with the idea of Ram’s powerful kingdom, Ayodhaya. This supports what was previously mentioned above on how Thai kings’ rulings have been influenced by Rama’s ideals.
The Thai version of the Ramayana, the Ramakien, was also performed in the Ayutthaya royal court through classical dance and drama. This showed how important Rama’s story was to Thai royal culture.
The word Songkran comes from the Sanskrit word Sankranti, which means movement or passing through. It refers to the movement of the sun from Pisces to Aries, which is considered the start of a new solar year in the ancient Indian calendar.
Aries represents new life and new beginnings, and Thailand therefore adopted this idea and turned it into the Songkran festival. It is celebrated with water to symbolise washing away bad luck and welcoming a fresh start. Today, it's one of the country's biggest celebrations and you can find Songkran events happening all over Bangkok.