Chayanut Intudom
Abstract
Ko Kret, a Mon community in Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi Province, in the central part of Thailand, at present has been very much exposed to tourism. The community receives a great number of visitors both Thais and foreigners, particularly on the weekends. From this aspect, it might be assumed that the ethnic Mon people at Ko Kret would have been completely absorbed by their host society, and Monness may have long vanished.
As a result of my research, it is evident that Monness can still be identified through Mon beliefs and rituals, which can be seen by the Mon funeral rites described in this article. Much of these rites still followed the old traditions, and Monness can still be traced through the practices, beliefs and ritual objects. The analysis of Mon funeral rites reveals the persistence of Monness seen particularly, in the case of funerals for monks, in the making and the style of coffins, pyres and fireworks; and in the case of laymen, in beds, personal belongings of the dead, and the path and the
gate for the dead.
(Published in Rian Thai: International Journal of Thai Studies, Volume 5/2012, Page 1-24)
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