The poll was conducted by the Suan Dusit Rajabhat Institute, a teachers' college. No margin of error was given. The Buddhist religion teaches renunciation of material possessions and desires as the path to relieve suffering, and according to the rules of the clergy, monks are permitted to own their saffron robes and little else.

Some monks in Thailand have been criticised, however, for building palatial residences and traveling in luxury automobiles. Mobile phones are ubiquitous in Thailand, and owning the latest models is something of a status symbol.