Bangkok is a highly populous city, with about 6 million inhabitants. However, including the nearby provinces, the overall population of the city escalates to approximately 9 million. Thus, the total population of Bangkok is nearly 49 times more than the second largest city of Chiang Mai, with the population segregating to numerous religions, races, castes and creeds. Therefore, Bangkok witnesses widespread diversity in terms of religion and culture, which lends the city its enviable vibrancy and resplendence.
Most of the people of Bangkok are ethnic Thai, practicing Theravada
Buddhism, also including maximum immigrants from China and India. The
Thai population is about 85-90%, whereas Chinese are the largest
minority group, comprising nearly 8-9% of the population. In fact, the
Chinese who immigrated to Thailand during the 19th and the 20th century
occupy a significant presence among all the non-Thai religious
communities of the place. They are considered the closest relatives of
the Thais, allowing intermarriage between the two communities.Another major religion of Bangkok is Islam, comprising around 5% of the total population. Some other important faiths include Hinduism, Christianity, Confucianism and Sikhism. Many people also practice animism and spirit worship. Even though, various religions peacefully co-exist in the place, the predominance of Buddhism in Bangkok cannot be denied. Monks are highly venerated by the people. Besides, the tangible aspect of the religion manifests in the form of the Wats (monasteries), surrounding the city. These Wats not only form important religious centers, but also occupy centre stage in the social lives of all the people of Bangkok.