Yes it is true, the goal of a follower of Buddha is to eliminate suffering in this life so that you will achieve nirvana in the after life, eternal bliss. My wife has her family homes right behind the village temple. So that I have seen close up all of the festivals and merit making that goes on all year long. It gives the Thai villagers a false sense of security therefor they do not respond to Jesus dying on the cross, they do understand why He died, but they have not the need to be save, very sad.
Population 65 million, 90 percent Buddhist, 2 percent Christian, the remainder being everything else in world religions including Jewish Synagogue's, is that being redundant. I believe at last count there are some 10,000 temples, (Called "Wat" in Thai). Throughout the land. Plenty of Idle worship going on day and night, Of course the Christian cults are there as well; JW, Mormon's, and such. My wifes family lives in Northern Thailand about 300 miles from the Vietnamese border, (nam means water), and there is plenty for growing rice.
I worked at my wife's Aunt's rice plantation for 5 years along side Thai farmers, (just for fun and exercise). The Orient Express would pass by her plantation once a month and everyone would stand up and waive to the passengers as they made their way south to Malaysia. Have I bored you to death yet.... My wife and I would return to her family home by Friday, 20 minutes away, to refresh and Connect with our Church family. Today Thailand has the feel of the 50s and 60s in USA, but they are catching up quickly to the modern world. A much slower pace of life than USA.
Long post sorry.........