Thailand Religious Records

Buddhist Records
Buddhist temples keep records of death and cremations performed by and for the temple, and names of pilgrims visiting the temple. These records are kept at each temple. Death and cremation records may contain additional information on the deceased's family members. In connection with a cremation many families prepare a book about the deceased, giving vital statistical details along with personal accomplishments and honors they may have received. If the person was a scholar, a copy of one or two significant papers they authored may be included. If the deceased had family members living outside the country a reminiscence about the deceased may also be included. These are often in the language spoken in that country. These books are kept by the family and a copy is donated to the temple where the cremation was performed.

Wat Bowonniwet (Wat Pavaranivesh Vihara Rajavaravihara) is a major temple in the central portion of Bangkok and has a substantial collection of records of cremations performed there. These records are being scanned by Thammasat University in Bangkok and are being placed online at Internet Archive. The temple also has a large card catalog describing each cremation book of which they have a copy.

Christian Records
For more information about how to obtain records for Christian denominations, see Thailand Church Records.

Hindu Records
Fewer than one percent of the the population of Thailand are Hindu. The Khmer Empire, which governed much of Southeast Asia until 1431 had a strong Hindu influence, and the establishment of some places in Thailand can be traced to that time. In 1784 King Rama I established Devasathan (Thewasathan Bot Phram) temple in Bangkok.

Hindu Pilgrimage (Bahi)
These documents record the names of Hindus who make pilgrimages to sacred centers where certain religious rituals or ordinances are performed. They can be used to establishes individual identity and linkage back many generations. Some records date back as far as the 15th Century. However, the great majority are of the 18th Century to the present.

Generally these records include the name of the pilgrim, caste/occupation, birthplace, or family origin, present residence, father, grandfather, great grandfather, etc., sometimes going back many generations on both the maternal and paternal sides. Often names of sons, brothers, nephews, and cousins are given, each relationship being carefully and precisely indicated. Date of visit or register entry is given.

Islamic Records
Islamic Marriages (Kadi) Records of Islamic marriage contracts. They are used to establish individual identity and linkage back two generations. Theoretically generations could be identified back to when the keeping of the record started. Records date from about 1500 to present. Generally these records contain names, ages, and residences of bride and bridegroom. Names and sometimes occupation of father and grandfather. Date of event. Signature of bridegroom. Names and residences of witnesses and names of witnesses fathers. Amount of dower money. They can be found in Mosques and in the houses of the Kazi who is the marriage registrar and judge.

Sikh Records
The first Sikhs moved into Thonburi province in 1890 from Pakistan and India. The first temple (gurdwara) was built in the Phahurat neighborhood of Bangkok. According to a 2017 report by the United States' Department of State, there are about 70 thousand Sikhs in Thailand.

Marriage ceremonies (Anand Karaj) and parts of the death ceremony (Antam Sanskar) are performed in Sikh temples.