Sikhism, one of the major religions of the world.
There’s around 70,000 Sikhs in the Kingdom of Thailand who began to arrive in the late 19th century from India.
Thai Sikhs are one of the largest Indian communities in Thailand, highly respected by all and considered to have very good relations with the Thai royal family.
(Proud Thai Sikh’s loyal to the king of Thailand)
Proudly parading through Phuket town this Sunday (10th November 2019), despite the rainy weather everyone was happily waving Thai flags along with a portrait of King Rama X as the 12th November 2019 marks the 550 year anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.
(The head priest waves the “Chau Sahib” as a sign of reverence and respect for the Holy Scripture)
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The first Gurdwara (Temple) in Phuket
Constructed by Sikhs who came to Phuket working as Tin Miners and Railway Engineers. Now there’s about twenty Sikh temples (Gurdwaras) in the country.
Later many Sikh businessman moved to Phuket starting their own businesses, more so when Phuket became a main tourist hub of Thailand.
Today many Thai Sikh families can continuously be seen involved in charitable acts across the country and ingrained in Thai society.
Noticeably you can hear Thai Sikh families speaking between English, Punjabi but mostly using Thai.
This incredibly welcoming community holds prayer in Phuket Town Gurdwara every Sunday where anyone is welcome to join and share Guru Ka Langar (meal)
(There’s around 40 large Thai Sikh families based in Phuket)
The Five K’s of Sikhism:
Five items that Khalsa Sikhs traditionally wear at all times since 1699.
- Kesh (uncut hair)
- Kanga (a wooden comb)
- Kara (an iron bracelet),
- Kachera (100% cotton shorts)
- Kirpan (Iron dagger used to defend the rights of the oppressed).
(Panj Pyare (Five Sikh Men) leading the Nagar Kirtan (procession) on the 10th of November, despite heavy rain.)
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