A white thread, called sai sin, is used in various ceremonies in Thailand, but also in other countries of the region, such as Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos. Its use has an animist aspect to it and besides being used in Buddhist rites, it is also found with most Thai hill tribe people and other minorities, who practice animism.

In India, a similar cord is used by brahmin priests and by devotees during certain occasions, and is known as a brahman cord (fig.).