1.4 Conclusion..........................................
Trends of Theravada Buddhism in Thailand conform to the global trend that we see
the rise in secularization but it is still within the realm of the trio of Theravada
Buddhism–Hindu–Brahmanism–Animism. The hybridized Thai popular Buddhism
is a consequence of the interplay of politico-socio culture from a historical per-
spective with the free market economy, advertisement, the mass media, and
charismaticfigures. Without a doubt, the mass media construct myths and recon-
struct the personages to suit the framing of popular religious practices in the
so-called mediatization process. The booming of talisman and amulet industry as
well as new cults and religion movements as part of religious culture change is the
answer to the new individualism in the postmodernity. Hence, this paper has
answered the main research questions:(1) The Sangha,or the Buddhist body of Thailand, has been impacted since it has
become part of the state during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V)
through reformation of education and centralization.
(2) The economic and social development in the contemporary globalization pro-
cess has created monetary needs and anxiety to compete in a postmodernity and
the Thai popular Buddhism, especially the animistic beliefs, cults, Hindu Gods,
and astrology, emerged to respond to the new social needs and new con-
sumerism values.
(3) Thai mass media and new social media create hypes on Buddhism, animism,
and the further commercialization of Buddhism via framing and media ritual-
ization of icons to suit the needs for magic, refuge, blessing, good luck, and
prosperity as the individual has changed into a new kind of individualism as a
result of mediatization.
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