Buying a Buddha statue in Thailand (page 2 of 2)

I'm leaving with my old bag and coming back with the new one (cabin-sized bag!!) so no worries, worst case I'll say my bag was stolen and I bought a new one 😛

The playful customs officer can change his mood when you're being dishonest. He has very simple ways to tell if your purchase is a real counterfeit or a fake original, starting with the mandatory label or the quality of manufacture. The funniest part (though, when you know the salaries there and how big brands stuff their pockets...) is when a brand is counterfeited in Thailand, even though that’s where they manufacture their original products.

I'm leaving with my old bag and coming back with the new one (cabin bag!!) so no worries, worst case I'll say my bag was stolen and I bought a new one 😛

The playful customs officer can change his mood when you're being dishonest. He has very simple ways to tell if your purchase is a real counterfeit or a fake original, starting with the mandatory label or the manufacturing quality. The funniest part (though, when you know the salaries there and how the big brands stuff themselves...) is when a brand is counterfeited in Thailand, even though that's where they manufacture their original products.

Having seen and felt quite a few, the quality of counterfeits is crap. And the appeal of having a poor-quality item just because it's a copy of a famous brand is limited. Only good for show-offs or posers. And even then...[;]

are mainly the work of a rather "fundamentalist" group...

I can’t be bothered to look up the references I’ve already posted here, which show that the leader of this movement is no longer a dissident at all but has regained the favor of the "Buddhist authorities," who no longer have any issues with her.

I’m happy to take your word for it—I don’t follow this closely. That said, they’re still more "strict" than average. I remember some of their members’ TV appearances—pretty rigid toward tourists who buy these statues, even if they don’t mean any harm.

But anyway, I mainly wanted to point out how vehement their remarks are against tourists who buy Buddha statues, while staying silent about the Buddhists who sell them.

Well, I guess I'll just stick with my Buddha and local products!!

I'll buy what I need back home in France

Hi there,

Personally, I bought a silver Buddha statue in Cambodia, which I brought to Thailand, and after a few weeks, transported to Switzerland—all in the hold by plane and without any issues.

I don’t think some loser would spend over 2,500 € on a trip just to get a bag to show off—some Chinese website is enough.

Good evening Humh,

That’s a really beautiful Buddha statue you brought back! And great that you managed to get it in the hold without any issues 🙂

I love mine, bought in Hoi An, Vietnam, and they actually survived at the bottom of my backpack during over a week in Thailand... 😮

"😎😎"

are mainly the work of a rather "hardline" group...

I can't be bothered to look up the references I already posted here, which show that the leader of this movement is no longer a dissident at all but has been welcomed back into the good graces of the "Buddhist authorities," who no longer have any issues with her.

I’m happy to take your word for it—I don’t follow this closely. That said, they’re still more "strict" than average. I remember some of their members’ appearances on TV—pretty rigid toward tourists who buy these statues, even when they don’t mean any harm. But anyway, I mainly wanted to highlight how vehement their remarks are against tourists who buy Buddha statues, while staying silent about the Buddhists who sell them.

Hello, There are several groups like this, including this one:

Buddhist Power of the Earth and their latest "crusade" in September, which, despite a public apology from an art student, demanded prison sentences. Buddhist Power of the Earth was dismissed by Thailand’s official Buddhist authorities. Here’s how it unfolded, plus a video: A Buddha Ultraman representation sold for 18,000 €

Best regards,

Personally, I see this as a sign of a growing student class and middle class asserting themselves, opposed by a conservative elite that wants to maintain its advantages built on, let's say, sand...

Hi Katewei,

Hope your trip went well! I don’t know if you already bought your statue in Thailand, but if not, I recently ordered from la statue bouddha shop. Hope you find what you’re looking for! :)

Nice ad for your site. There’s even a bottle shaped like a Buddha head. Buddhists will love it.

Good catch on the ad for your site

There are still some great pieces for every budget.

There’s even a bottle shaped like a Buddha head. Buddhists will love it.

It’ll make the purists squeal, but in the meantime, most people follow the middle way—just like here 😏

Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University A fourth-year fine arts student exhibited four of her creations in a shopping mall. These depicted Buddha as Ultraman, which sparked heated debates on social media between those "for" and "against" this representation. The student was forced to apologize to monks (starting at 37" in the video). However, one of her paintings, bought by a private collector, sold at auction for around 18,000 €, with part of the proceeds going to charity.

source article

https://youtu.be/feptVyyPCBo source video Thaïrath

My question might seem naive to you, but do you have to be Buddhist to buy a Buddha statue?

If so, how does one become Buddhist? Is there a certificate to get, an exam? Or does a little holy water on the forehead do the trick?

Are there good Buddhists and bad Buddhists, or is it all the same?...

Thanks for shedding some light on this—you seem to know a lot about the subject.

😅

No making fun, please!!! I could have elaborated on my answer, but I don’t think it’s worth wasting time and energy on that. And no, you don’t become Buddhist just any old way.... If you’re *really* interested, contact a Buddhist center, not a travel forum 😠