For young men at the age of 20 onwards, they are eligible to receive “Upasampada”, the higher ordination that establishes them as a full “Bhikkhu” (monk). This can also apply to the “Samanen or Nen” who intend on religious life and reaches 20. Nonetheless, temporary ordination is the norm among Thai Buddhists. Most young men traditionally ordain for the term of a single rainy season (known in Thai as “Phansa”).
While being ordained, the sammanens and the monks must stay in the Buddhist sanctuary. Their places can be rooms or cottages lying separately from the religious ceremonial area. In general, they are not allowed to be outside the temple after 6:00 p.m. unless there are matters requested for them to attend to. Such matters are, for example, cremation ceremony, festival ceremony, etc.