"Tham Boon" - Thai Merit-Making Explained
Merit-Making in Thailand: How Locals Earn Good Karma (and How You Can Too Without Offending a Monk) If you've spent more than five minutes in Thailand, you've probably seen someone making merit. Whether it’s feeding monks at sunrise, releasing a turtle that’s seriously questioning its life choices, or gluing gold leaf onto a Buddha statue's belly button. Thais make merit like it's part of their daily skincare routine. But what exactly is merit-making? Why are locals so into it? And can a tourist do it without accidentally committing a karmic crime? Let’s dive in. What Is Merit-Making? (Besides a Word You Pretend to Understand) Merit-making or " tham boon " in Thai, is how Buddhists build up good karma points. It’s believed that doing good deeds in this life helps you in your next life. You know, just in case you’d rather not be reborn as a lizard in someone’s kitchen. Merit-making isn’t just a religious act; it’s woven into everyday Thai life. Locals do it for...