Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Rebecca Ratcliffe and Navaon Siradapuvadol

‘They make things look cute’: how the TikTok generation is reshaping Thailand’s spiritual life

Three women sit around a small table next to a stall selling holy statues and other items
A fortune teller near Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Bangkok, where mutelu charms are in demand, especially from younger people. Photograph: Rebecca Ratcliffe/The Guardian

When Suppanut Jansakul has an important work meeting, he checks a chart to see which colour shirt will bring the best luck. If it is a special day, the 26-year-old wears a bracelet with a Hindu Ganesha charm, for success in his work in marketing, or his master’s degree studies. On his phone, he switches between wallpapers showing gods or goddesses associated with love or work, depending on his preference.

Jansakul and many of his friends are among a growing number of young people in Thailand who follow such daily rituals.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.