Thai Monk Initiation (Buat Nak): What Teachers Are Invited To
If Staff Invite You to a Buat Naak:
Dress, Sit Low, Ask Before Photos
It happens most years in our Ban Lum schools: a Thai colleague's son or nephew is ordaining (บวชนาค, buat naak), and you're invited. Say yes. You're a guest at a family rite, so you don't need the Pali or the theology. Dress modestly, enjoy the loud parade, go quiet in the hall, sit lower than the monks, and ask before you take photos.
Buat Naak: A Family Rite You're Invited To
Who ordains, when, and why the family cares.
Monk or Novice
A man must be at least 20 to be ordained as a monk (พระภิกษุ, phra phiksu). Boys and young men under 20 can be ordained as novices (สามเณร, samanen), often in groups during the long school break.
Merit for the Family
Families see a son's ordination as making merit (ทำบุญ, tham bun) for his parents, especially his mother. That's why it matters so much, and why half the village may turn up.
Short Stays & Khao Phansa
Many men ordain for a short time: a few days, a couple of weeks or longer. Khao Phansa (เข้าพรรษา), the three-month rains retreat, is a common window; our Asalha Puja and Buddhist Lent post explains when it falls.
On the Day: From White to Saffron
What you'll see, in the order it usually happens. Details vary by temple and family.
Head Shaving
At the hair-cutting ceremony (phithi plong phom, พิธีปลงผม), family members cut the first locks, often onto a lotus leaf (ใบบัว), then the head and eyebrows are shaved. Stand back and let the family go first.
Dressed in White
The candidate wears white and is called a nak (นาค), a name linked to the legend of a naga who wished to be ordained. He usually asks his elders for forgiveness before the ceremony.
Inside the Ordination Hall
In the ordination hall (พระอุโบสถ, phra ubosot), senior monks led by the preceptor (พระอุปัชฌาย์, phra upatcha) ordain him in Pali. Guests sit quietly where the family shows them. No talking, no phones, no flash.
Robes and Bowl
His parents hand him his robes (ผ้าไตรจีวร, pha trai chiwon) and alms bowl (บาตร, bat). He changes and comes back as a monk. This is the moment families photograph most, so wait for their cue before you do.
Hae Nak: Loud Outside, Quiet Inside
The parade is the loud, happy part. Join in.
The Hae Nak Parade
Friends and family take the candidate to the temple with long drums (กลองยาว, klong yao), music and dancing, sometimes carrying him on their shoulders. If someone pulls you in to dance, go with it. Photos here are usually welcome.
Three Times Round
The parade usually circles the ordination hall three times clockwise (เวียนประทักษิณ) before going in. Walk with the crowd, then drop your voice as you reach the door.
Coin Scattering
Before going in, the candidate often throws coins wrapped in ribbon (เหรียญโปรยทาน, proi than) into the crowd. Catching one is fine; keep an eye on small children in the scramble.
Around the Monks: Morning Food, Quiet Afternoons
Two things that affect guests.
Alms in the Morning
Monks walk for alms early in the morning (บิณฑบาต, bintabat), and people put rice and food in their bowls. If the family invites you to give alms to the new monk, take your shoes off and copy them. Pouring water afterwards to share the merit is called kruat nam (กรวดน้ำ).
Food Before Noon
Monks usually eat only in the morning and before midday, so food is offered then. If you're asked to help offer food, follow the family; women place items on the receiving cloth rather than in a monk's hands.
In Arabella's Words: A Ban Lum Ordination
One of our teachers went to a village ordination in Ban Lum. This is how it felt.
"The CEO of Kids English Thailand invited me to participate in both parts of the ceremony with her. The local community in Sukhothai was welcoming, and (it seemed like) everyone in Ban Lum was invited to attend this event since it was considered a large party and celebration for all people! ... We were served a wide variety of food as we sat down under the festive tents. This included spicy basil pork (ผัดกะเพราหมู), crisp pork crackling (แคบหมู), fresh vegetable salads, local fish dishes, stir-fried noodles, and lots of warm sticky rice (ข้าวเหนียว)! ... Another large marquee featured a magnificent Bai Sri (บายศรีสู่ขวัญ) shrine crafted meticulously from banana leaves and fresh orchids."
Guest Manners: Dress, Sit Low, Ask Before Photos
What we tell every KET teacher before their first ordination.
Say Yes, Then Follow
If colleagues invite you, go. Ask them when to arrive and what's usual to bring; many guests give a small donation envelope (ซองทำบุญ). Then follow what the family does. You don't need to explain or discuss the religion. For the wider calendar, see festivals in Thailand.
Shoulders and Knees Covered
Cover your shoulders and knees: a collared shirt or a polite blouse, slacks or a skirt below the knee, nothing see-through. Wear shoes that slip off easily; you'll take them off at every hall.
Sit Lower Than the Monks
Monks sit on a raised platform (อาสนะ, asana). Sit lower, on the floor if others do, with your feet tucked to the side (นั่งพับเพียบ, nang phap phiap) so your soles never point at a monk or a Buddha image. When greeting monks, a wai is right.
No Hand-to-Hand
Women do not touch a monk or hand anything straight to him. Place it on his receiving cloth (ผ้ารับประเคน, pha rap prakhen) or ask a man to pass it. Men can hand items directly, with both hands.
Ask Before Photos
Ask before you take photos. The parade outside is usually fine; inside the ordination hall (พระอุโบสถ), check with the family first, stay out of the way, and never use flash.
Apps Our Teachers Use
Handy for invitations, notices and getting around.
