It has now come to the time for Nattawud to ordain as a monk. Most Thai men do this once they become of age. Nattawud isn’t actually 20 yet. However, they are, apparently, allowed to count the time spent in their mother’s womb! Thai men are not considered to be mature adults until they have become monks for a period of time. Thai people call those people “unripe”. Once they have become a monk and left the monkhood, they are then called “thit”. Thai men in government jobs are legally allowed to take three months leave of absence to become a monk. Most do this during Buddhist lent which starts in July. During lent no-one is allowed to leave the monkhood. As Nattawud’s birthday is in July his family decided to bring the ceremony forward to this month.