THAILAND, October 12, 2025 (Bangkok Post): The recent reopening of the Erawan Shrine was presided over by the chief of Brahmins (photo above, Phra Maharaja Guru Bidhi Sri Visudhigun) known as the Rajguru. A man dressed in white blew into a conch as if it were a horn. Joss sticks were burning. Heads bowed but people’s lips were praying. A screenplay on a golden tray was engulfed in a cloud of white smoke. Surrounding the tray was a feast which included Thai golden desserts, fruit, boiled eggs and seafood. This feast was an offering to the Gods during buang suang, a ritual practiced by Thai film and drama crews to seek blessings from the Gods. It is believed that this would make any showbiz project successful. For many Thais, a ritual to bless a new venture or a house requires the presence of Buddhist monks and their spiritual blessings. But many times, Thais turn to Brahmin rites that mix Hinduism with Buddhism and folk beliefs — for example, all Thai film and television productions always have a Brahmin rite before shooting begins, with an elaborate checklist of offerings, while many big businesses go for both Buddhist and Brahmin invocations. Not to mention the Royal Ploughing Ceremony, which illustrates the official Brahmin sanctity to the nation and society.

The use of Brahmins presiding over religious ceremonies in Thailand can be dated to the Dvaravati period (6th to 11th centuries ce), says Komkrit Uitekkeng, an instructor from the Department of Philosophy at the Faculty of Arts, Silpakorn University.. Many ancient kings in Southeast Asia brought in priests from India to perform coronation rituals in the hopes of rising up to the same rank as the kings of India — the center of civilization in that era. Brahmins have been serving in the Thai royal court as officials and performing royal ceremonies since the Ayutthaya period (14th to 18th centuries ce). The involvement of Brahmins continues to this day.

More on the mixing of Hinduism with Buddhism and folk beliefs in Thai history at source.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/social-and-lifestyle/726736/the-new-brahmins.

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