"This paper attempts to analyze the following:(1) How the Sangha, or the Buddhist body of Thailand, has been impacted since it has become part of the state during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V); (2) How the economic and social development has an impact on Thai Buddhism, especially the animistic beliefs, cults, Hindu Gods, and astrology; and (3) How the Thai mass media and new social media create hypes on Buddhism, animism, and the further commercialization of Buddhism." (Abstract)