Cookie Policy

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit our website. Cookies help provide a better browsing experience, enable website functionalities, make websites work efficiently, and provide information to website owners about how visitors use their sites.

How We Use Cookies

SIAM MAHAL (radhesiam.com) uses cookies for the following purposes:

• Ensure website functionality: To enable basic website features like navigation, security, and access to different sections.
• Enhance user experience: To remember user preferences and provide a personalized browsing experience.
• Analyze website usage: To understand how visitors interact with the website to improve content and services.
• Support our mission: To track engagement with spiritual and educational content.
• Facilitate donations: To enable secure donation processing and remember donor preferences.
• Share our message: To support social media integration and content sharing features.

Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly and cannot be disabled without affecting core functionality:

• Website navigation and menu access
• User session management and security
• Form submissions for newsletters and contact forms
• Access to secure areas of the website
• Basic website security features

Functional Cookies

These cookies enhance your browsing experience by remembering your choices and preferences:

• Language preferences (English, Thai, or other languages)
• Location settings and regional preferences
• Text size and accessibility settings
• Newsletter subscription preferences
• Prayer time notifications (if available)

Analytics Cookies

We use analytics cookies to understand how visitors use our website and improve our spiritual outreach:

• Number of visitors and page views
• Most popular content and spiritual resources
• Time spent reading scriptures or watching videos
• Device and browser information
• Geographic location (country/region level only)
• Traffic sources and referral patterns

Social Media and Sharing Cookies

These cookies enable social media integration and content sharing:

• Social media login functionality
• Sharing buttons for spiritual content
• Embedded videos from spiritual teachings
• Integration with ISKCON social media platforms
• Community engagement features

Third-Party Services and Cookies

Our website may use third-party services that set their own cookies:

Google Services

• Google Analytics: Used for website traffic analysis and visitor insights.
• Google Fonts: Used for consistent font display across devices.
• YouTube: Used for embedded spiritual videos and teachings.

Social Media Platforms

• Facebook: Used for social sharing and community engagement.
• Instagram: Used for photo and video sharing from temple activities.
• WhatsApp: For easy sharing of spiritual content.

Payment and Donation Services

• Payment processors: For secure donation processing (cookies used only during transactions)
• Fundraising platforms: For temple construction and maintenance donations

Email and Communication

• Newsletter services: For spiritual updates and temple announcements
• Contact form services: For inquiry management and responses

Managing Your Cookie Preferences

You have several options for controlling cookies on our website:

Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to:

• View all cookies stored on your device
• Delete existing cookies
• Block cookies from specific websites
• Block all cookies (this may affect website functionality)
• Set preferences for different types of cookies

Browser-Specific Instructions

Google Chrome:

1. Click the three dots menu → Settings
2. Go to Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data
3. Choose your preferred cookie settings

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Click the menu button → Settings
2. Go to Privacy & Security
3. Under Cookies and Site Data, adjust your preferences

Safari:

1. Go to Safari → Preferences
2. Click Privacy tab
3. Adjust cookie and website data settings

Microsoft Edge:

1. Click the three dots menu → Settings
2. Go to Site permissions → Cookies and site data
3. Configure your cookie preferences

Opt-Out Options for Third-Party Services

• Google Analytics: Visit the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on page to disable tracking.
• Social Media: Adjust privacy settings in your Facebook, Instagram, and other social media accounts.
• YouTube: Manage your Google account privacy settings to control video tracking.

Impact of Disabling Cookies

While you can disable cookies, blocking certain types may lead to several consequences:

• Prevent access to some website features
• Affect donation processing functionality
• Require you to re-enter preferences each visit
• Limit personalized spiritual content recommendations
• Prevent proper display of embedded videos and content
• Affect newsletter subscription management

Children's Privacy

Our website is suitable for all ages and families interested in spiritual education. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 through cookies. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided information through our website, please contact us immediately.

Data Retention and Storage

• Session cookies: Automatically deleted when you close your browser
• Persistent cookies: Typically stored for 1-24 months, with duration depending on their specific purpose
• Analytics data: Retained for up to 26 months specifically for Google Analytics
• Functional preferences: Stored until you clear them or they naturally expire

Your Rights and Choices

Under applicable privacy laws, you have the right to:

• Be informed about our cookie practices (this policy)
• Give or withdraw consent for non-essential cookies
• Access information about cookies we store about your visits
• Request deletion of your cookie data
• Object to certain types of cookie processing
• Receive clear information about our data practices

Security and Data Protection

We implement security measures to protect cookie data:

• Secure transmission of sensitive information
• Regular security updates and monitoring
• Limited access to cookie data by authorized personnel only
• Compliance with applicable data protection regulations
• Protection against unauthorized access or misuse

Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy periodically to reflect:

• Changes in our cookie practices
• New features or services on our website
• Updates to applicable privacy laws
• Improvements in data protection measures

When we make significant changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Notify visitors through website announcements
• Provide clear information about changes in our practices
• Ensure continued compliance with privacy regulations

We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy regularly to stay informed about how we protect your privacy while sharing spiritual knowledge and building our temple community.

Legal Compliance

This Cookie Policy is designed to comply with:

• Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) - Thailand
• Other applicable international privacy and data protection laws

Spiritual Consideration

As an ISKCON temple website, we are committed to the highest ethical standards in all our practices, including digital privacy and data protection. We handle your information with the same care and respect that we apply to all aspects of our spiritual service.

Contact Information

For questions about our Cookie Policy or cookie usage, please contact us:

• Organization: SIAM MAHAL - ISKCON Bangkok
• Email: radhesiamsundar@gmail.com
• Website: www.radhesiam.com
• Address: Sukhumvit Soi 62, Bangkok, Thailand

For spiritual guidance and temple-related inquiries, you may also reach out through our contact forms or visit our physical location during temple hours.