Sathira-Dhammasathan
Bangkok
Meditation retreat
Places & experiences
Meditation retreat
คอร์สปฏิบัติธรรม
A meditation retreat is a period of intensive, usually silent practice in a monastery or meditation centre, following a strict daily schedule.
IntensityModerate
Origin
Theravada Buddhist traditions of Southeast Asia (Burma, Thailand)
History
Lay meditation retreats spread from the late 19th and 20th centuries
A session
Often 10 days (12 days including arrival and departure) for classic silent courses; shorter formats exist
Licence in Thailand
Not required
01
Where it comes from
Meditation has long been part of Buddhist monastic life. The modern idea of retreats open to lay people grew largely out of Burma: in the 19th century Ledi Sayadaw popularised meditation among lay people, and in the 20th century Mahasi Sayadaw promoted intensive silent retreats, while the lay teacher U Ba Khin trained S. N. Goenka, who taught Vipassana in 10-day courses.
Thai monks also revived meditation in the 20th century, often teaching insight (vipassana) together with calm (samatha) practices. In 1986 the Thai monk Buddhadasa Bhikkhu founded the Suan Mokkh International Dharma Hermitage in southern Thailand, which still runs monthly retreats for people from around the world.
From the 1970s these retreat formats spread to the West, where teachers such as Jack Kornfield and Joseph Goldstein founded insight meditation centres, and later secular mindfulness programmes grew from them.
The principle
A retreat removes the usual distractions (talking, phones, reading, entertainment) so that attention can rest on simple things: the breath, bodily sensations, walking, eating. Practising for many hours a day over several days is meant to make the mind's habits easier to observe.
Most traditional retreats ask participants to keep "noble silence", follow ethical precepts such as not killing, stealing, lying or taking intoxicants, and stay for the whole course.
What people come for
- Learn a meditation technique in depth, with guidance
- Experience extended silence and simplicity
- Step away from phones, work and daily demands
- Explore Buddhist teachings in a traditional setting
- Build a regular meditation habit to take home
How it works on the body
A retreat works mainly on attention, through long periods of meditation in silence.
A session, step by step
- 01
Application
Most centres require an application; some list medications and health conditions. Suan Mokkh registers participants in person on the last day of the previous month.
- 02
Arrival and rules
You hand in phones and other devices, learn the rules and take the precepts; silence begins.
- 03
Daily timetable
Days start early (4:00 a.m. in Goenka courses) and alternate meditation sessions, simple meals and rest until about 9:30 p.m.
- 04
Teachings
Evening talks or instructions explain the technique; questions can be asked to the teacher.
- 05
Closing
Silence ends towards the last day, giving time to talk and readjust before leaving.
Precautions
- Intensive retreats are not a substitute for medical or psychiatric treatment and are not recommended for people with significant mental health conditions; ask the centre if in doubt.
- Declare medications and health conditions on the application, and do not stop prescribed medication.
- Long sitting can be hard on the knees and back; use a chair or cushion if needed.
- Most courses require staying for the whole period; make sure you can commit before you go.
- Simple meals and, in some traditions, no food after midday: tell the centre about special dietary needs.
Complementary practice: does not replace medical advice.
05
In Thailand
Thailand, a mainly Theravada Buddhist country, offers meditation in many temples and dedicated centres. Suan Mokkh International Dharma Hermitage, founded in 1986 by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, holds a 10-day silent retreat from the 1st to the 11th of each month. Dhamma Kamala in Prachinburi, the first centre in Thailand teaching Vipassana as taught by S. N. Goenka, held its first 10-day course in 1992, and the tradition now has several centres in the country; these courses are run on donations only. The Global Wellness Institute cites forest monasteries and Suan Mokkh as part of Thailand's wellness offer. Meditation retreats are religious or educational activities rather than licensed health establishments, so rules and conditions are set by each temple or centre.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be Buddhist?
No. Centres such as Suan Mokkh and the Goenka Vipassana centres welcome people of any background, as long as they follow the rules.
Is it really silent the whole time?
Mostly. In Goenka courses, silence lasts until the last full day, though you can speak to the teacher and staff when needed.
How much does it cost?
It varies. Goenka Vipassana courses run on donations, given only after completing a course. Other centres charge a fee for food and lodging.
Can I leave early?
Most retreats ask you to commit to the full course; Suan Mokkh, for example, does not accept partial attendance.
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Sources
- Wikipedia – Vipassana movement (Burmese origins, Mahasi Sayadaw, U Ba Khin, S. N. Goenka, Thai teachers, spread to the West)
- Dhamma.org – Code of Discipline for Vipassana courses (S. N. Goenka tradition)
- Suan Mokkh International Dharma Hermitage – official site (monthly 10-day silent retreats)
- Thai Vipassana centres – Dhamma Kamala history (first Vipassana centre in Thailand, 1992)
- Global Wellness Institute (Aug 2025) – Wellness Tourism Initiative: Thailand case study