Ghosts in Thai culture

Last updated

Statues of Preta at Wat Phai Rong Wua, Suphanburi Pretawatphairongwua06.jpg
Statues of Preta at Wat Phai Rong Wua, Suphanburi

Belief in ghosts in Thai culture is both popular and enduring. [1] In the history of Thailand, Buddhist popular beliefs intermingled with legends of spirits or ghosts of local folklore. These myths have survived and evolved, having been adapted to the modern media, such as Thai films, Thai television soap operas, and Thai comics.

Contents

Some of the ghosts of Thai culture are shared with neighboring cultures. Krasue, for example is part of the Cambodian, Lao, and Malay cultures as well. [2] A few of these, including the tall Preta, are part of the mythology of Buddhism. [3] There are, however, others, such as Phi Dip Chin, which have entered Thai ghost lore through the Chinese community residing in Thailand for the past few centuries. [4]

Beliefs

Thai spirits or ghosts are known generically as phi (ผี). A large proportion of these spirits are nocturnal. Except for the well-known Preta , most ghosts were traditionally not represented in paintings or drawings, hence they are purely based on oral tradition. [5] The local beliefs regarding the village spirits of Thailand were studied by Phraya Anuman Rajadhon. [6]

Ghosts are believed to frequent, among other places, certain trees, burial grounds near Buddhist temples, as well as abandoned houses.

There are different categories of ghosts. Certain ghosts dwelling in mountains and forests are generally known as Phi Khao (ผีเขา) and Phi Pa (ผีป่า). Geographic locations such as the Phi Pan Nam Range (ทิวเขาผีปันน้ำ), 'the mountain range that the spirits use to divide the waters', and Phae Mueang Phi (แพะเมืองผี) are named after ancient ghosts believed to dwell in these places. Female ghosts or fairies related to trees such as Nang Ta-khian and Nang Tani are known generically as Nang Mai (นางไม้ 'Lady of the Tree'). [7]

List of Thai ghosts

Some of the most well-known Thai ghosts are the following:

Spirits

From other cultures

Ghosts

Interaction with ghosts

Mae Nak shrine, Bangkok. Offerings of lotus buds and the release of live fish, Phra Khanong Canal MNPKofferings85.JPG
Mae Nak shrine, Bangkok. Offerings of lotus buds and the release of live fish, Phra Khanong Canal

Ghosts in Thai culture may be benevolent. Certain ghosts have their own shrines and among these there are some, such as the Mae Nak Phra Khanong shrine in Bangkok, that are quite important. Usually though, humbler tutelary spirits live in little dwellings known as san phra phum (Thai : ศาลพระภูมิ), small ghost shrines that provide a home for these household or tree spirits. These shrines are common near trees and groves and in urban areas, close to buildings. It is considered a bad omen to neglect these spots and offerings are regularly made by people living nearby. [19] Usually offerings to tree spirits are small things such as small food items, drinks, incense sticks or fruits, but when important favors are requested it is common to offer the head of a pig. After the ceremony is over the pig head is brought home and eaten. [6]

The mo phi (Thai : หมอผี; RTGS: mo phi) or 'witch doctor' may invoke spirits of the dead. In this ritual, four sticks are usually planted at equal distance from each other on the ground near the burial or cremation place. A thread is tied around the sticks forming a protective square and a mat is spread in the middle. The mo phi sits down within this enclosure, often along with other people present at the ritual. In front of him, outside of the square there is a mo khao terracotta jar containing ashes or bones of the dead person with a yantra painted on the outside. Beside the jar there is also a plate of rice as offering and a stick or switch to keep the spirits at bay. [6]

On the other hand, there are spirits that are considered dangerous and need to be disposed of. In these cases the mo phi may conduct a ritual in order to confine the dangerous ghost to an earthen jar, which may be sealed and thrown into a deep canal, river or lake. [6]

The persistence of folk belief in malevolent spirits was demonstrated in a 2017 case occurring at Ban Na Bong, Nong Kung Si District, Kalasin Province. There, the mysterious deaths of two men and several animals prompted villagers to ascribe their deaths to malicious phi pop. Seeking help, villagers from 370 households paid 124 Thai baht per house to hire an exorcist from Chiang Yuen District in Maha Sarakham Province and a well-known monk from Wat Chaiwan to eliminate the malevolent spirits. The people of Ban Na Bong turned up en masse at the village hall for a ghost busting ceremony on 29 October. The rite took more than two hours. The exorcist and the monk, aided by 20 assistants, caught at least 30 phi pop, forcing them into bamboo tubes which were then incinerated. Police and district officials ensured the event went smoothly. Preventive medical specialists from the Kalasin Provincial Public Health Office later identified the cause of death in Ban Na Bong as leptospirosis (Thai : โรคฉี่หนู; RTGS: rok chi nu) and high blood pressure. [17]

Phi Ta Khon , sometimes known as Ghost Festival, is a three-day festival held in Loei Province.

Mae Nak Phra Khanong

A Mae Nak Phra Khanong shrine with portraits of the ghost and dresses MNPK-portraits76.JPG
A Mae Nak Phra Khanong shrine with portraits of the ghost and dresses

The most famous ghost story in Thailand is the Mae Nak Phra Khanong. The story is associated with events that allegedly took place in the early-1800s, during the reign of King Rama IV of Thailand. In 1959 the story was first developed into a movie, with many later cinematic versions to follow. The latest cinematic version of the Mae Nak story is Pee Mak, a 2013 comedy-horror film by GMM Tai Hub. The movie debuted on 26 March 2013, making 500 million baht, and went on to become the top Thai movie in the box office for 2013. Over time, the Mae Nak spirit has evolved into a sacred figure/deity within Thai culture, with a large shrine to the spirit being built in Mae Nak's hometown, and with many Mae Nak followers throughout Thailand.

Modern media

Thai cinema began popularizing the ghosts and legends of the folklore of Thailand in the 20th century. Ghosts of the local tradition appeared in horror movies, as well as in side-roles in mainstream movies. Phraya Anuman Rajadhon established that most of the contemporary iconography of Thai folk ghosts [7] [20] [21] has its origins in Thai films that have now become classics. [22]

Thai television soap operas have contributed to popularize the ghost theme. Some soap operas, such as Raeng Ngao , include the folk ghosts of Thai culture interacting with the living. The Raeng Ngao story proved so popular that four remakes have been made after it was first aired in 1986.

Most of the Thai ghosts are so well-liked that they appear regularly in comic books as well as in films for children, including animated movies, such as Nak, [23] and animated cartoons. [24]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phi Ta Khon</span>

Phi Ta Khon is a festival held in Dan Sai, Loei province, Isan, Thailand. The events take place over three days sometime between March and July, the dates being selected annually by the town’s mediums.

<i>Nang Nak</i> 1999 Thai film

Nang Nak is a 1999 Thai supernatural horror film based on the Thai legend of Mae Nak Phra Khanong. It was directed by Nonzee Nimibutr and released in 1999 by Buddy Film and Video Production Co. in Thailand. It depicts the life of a devoted ghost wife and her unsuspecting husband.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mae Nak Phra Khanong</span> Ghost of Thai folklore

Mae Nak Phra Khanong, or simply Mae Nak or Nang Nak, is a well-known Thai ghost. According to local folklore the story is based on events that took place during the reign of King Rama IV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mum Jokmok</span> Thai actor

Petchtai Wongkamlao,, is a Thai comedian, actor and film director. He is best known in Thailand by his stage name, Mum Jokmok ; and is a popular Thai television personality. He is variously credited as Mom Jok Mok, Mum Jokemok or Mom Jokmok.

<i>Krasue</i> Spirit in Southeast Asian folklore

The Krasue is a nocturnal female spirit of Southeast Asian folklore. It manifests as the floating, disembodied head of a woman, usually young and beautiful, with her internal organs still attached and trailing down from the neck.

Sueangsuda Lawanprasert nicknamed Namfon is a Thai actress and beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss Thailand 1997 and later represented her country Miss Universe 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phraya Anuman Rajadhon</span> Thai anthropologist

Phraya Anuman Rajadhon, was one of modern Thailand's most remarkable scholars. He was a self-trained linguist, anthropologist and ethnographer who became an authority on the culture of Thailand. His name was Yong Sathirakoses ; Phraya Anuman Rajadhon was his noble title. He also took his family name, Sathirakoses, as a pen name by which he is well known.

Pop is a cannibalistic spirit of Thai folklore. It manifests itself as a creature that likes to devour human viscera. Pop is related to the Phi Fa spirit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nang Ta-khian</span> Spirit from Thai folklore

Nang Ta-khian is a female spirit of the folklore of Thailand. It manifests itself as a woman that haunts Hopea odorata trees. These are very large trees known as Ta-khian (ตะเคียน) in Thai, hence her name.

Krahang is a male spirit of the Thai folklore. It manifests itself as a shirtless man, wearing a traditional loincloth, who flies in the night.

Phi Tai Hong is a ghost of Thai folklore. It is the vengeful and restless spirit of a person who suddenly suffered a violent or cruel death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nang Tani</span>

Nang Tani is a female spirit of the Thai folklore. According to folk tradition, this ghost appears as a young woman that haunts wild banana trees, known as in Thai language as Kluai Tani (กล้วยตานี).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thai folklore</span> Mythology and traditional beliefs held by the Thai people

Thai folklore is a diverse set of mythology and traditional beliefs held by the Thai people. Most Thai folklore has a regional background for it originated in rural Thailand. With the passing of time, and through the influence of the media, large parts of Thai folklore have become interwoven with the wider popular Thai culture.

<i>Nak</i> (film) 2008 Thai film

Nak is a Thai animated dark fantasy horror film that was released on April 3, 2008 and aired on TV in Thai PBS Kids.

Mangpor Cholthicha is a famous Thai Luk thung singer and actress.

Monsit Khamsoi is a Thai singer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khlong Chak Phra subdistrict</span> Sub-district in Bangkok, Thailand

Khlong Chak Phra is one of the six khwaengs (sub-districts) of Taling Chan District in Bangkok's Thonburi side. It is the location of the district office.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kannarun Wongkajornklai</span> Thai actress

Kannarun Wongkajornklai is a Thai actress who signed a contract as an actor under Broadcast Thai Television from 2010 to 2021, currently turning into a freelance actor. Famous for playing Mae Ying Chan Wad in the historical period drama Love Destiny.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mae Yanang</span>

Mae Yanang is a ghost guarding boats and various vehicles in Thai, Cambodian, and Laotian cultures. They wear traditional clothes of each respective culture. The tradition of worshipping Mae Yanang comes from the worshipping of female deities such as Mae Phosop and Nang Kwak, which may be derived from the worship of Mazu in Chinese folk religion.

References

  1. ↑ Biggs, Andrew (28 October 2018). "A Spiritual land". Bangkok Post. No. Brunch. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  2. ↑ Yongcharoenchai, Chaiyot (2016-01-16). "As cultures come together, it's all in bad spirits". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  3. ↑ Hantu Penanggalan/Balan-balan Archived 2011-07-16 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ↑ "เจียงซือ,jiangshi,ผีดิบจีน". OK Nation. Archived from the original on 14 October 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  5. ↑ "Ghosts and Spirits of Lan Na Northern Thailand", in: Forbes, Andrew, and Henley, David, Ancient Chiang Mai Volume 4. Chiang Mai, Cognoscenti Books, 2012. ASIN: B006J541LE
  6. 1 2 3 4 Phya Anuman Rajadhon, Essays on Thai Folklore, Editions Duang Kamol, ISBN   974-210-345-3
  7. 1 2 3 "Spirits". Thai Worldview. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  8. ↑ "หุ่นพยนต์ตาปะขาวตักศิลาไสยเวทแดนใต้". Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
  9. ↑ "วัวธนู-ควายธนู สัตว์ภูติไสยศาสตร์ ของขลังที่ใช้เฝ้าบ้าน เฝ้าเรือน ใครได้ครอบครองได้ผลชะงัดนัก!!(มีภาพ)". 2 August 2016. Archived from the original on 2017-11-12. Retrieved 2017-11-12.
  10. ↑ "ตำนานควายธนู | รวมตำนานต่างๆน่าสนใจ TumnanDD.com". Archived from the original on 2017-11-12. Retrieved 2017-11-12.
  11. ↑ "รูปผีมะพร้าว ,รูปผีกระบอกไม้, รูปผีผ้า". Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2013-02-24.
  12. ↑ ผีมะพร้าว Archived 2007-02-20 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ↑ "ผีปลวก". YouTube . Archived from the original on 2016-06-30. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
  14. ↑ "Phi Dip Chin". Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2013-02-02.
  15. ↑ "Thai Ghost - Phi Krasue Captured on Phone Cam". YouTube . Archived from the original on 2016-04-13. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
  16. ↑ "Folklore Thai movies based on snakes". Archived from the original on 2014-04-09. Retrieved 2013-02-20.
  17. 1 2 Phupuangphet, Yongyuth (7 November 2017). "Disease, not malevolent ghosts, killed villagers". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  18. ↑ "เสือสมิงในประพาสต้นจันทบุรี". Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2013-02-11.
  19. ↑ "The Thai Spirit House". Archived from the original on 2013-03-09. Retrieved 2013-03-09.
  20. ↑ "Ghosts of Thai folklore". Archived from the original on 2013-11-01. Retrieved 2013-02-02.
  21. ↑ Phi Krahang [ permanent dead link ]
  22. ↑ "Movie poster showing Thai ghosts Krahang and Krasue with Count Dracula". Archived from the original on 2012-11-11. Retrieved 2013-02-02.
  23. ↑ "Nak movie". Archived from the original on 2015-06-30. Retrieved 2013-02-02.
  24. ↑ Nang Nak Kab 3 Puan [ permanent dead link ]

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.