Ghosts in Thai culture

Belief in ghosts in Thai culture is both popular and enduring. 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.

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. A few of these, including the tall Preta, are part of the mythology of Buddhism.Hantu Penanggalan/Balan-balan 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.

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."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 The local beliefs regarding the village spirits of Thailand were studied by Phraya Anuman Rajadhon.

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 () and Phi Pa (). Geographic locations such as the Phi Pan Nam Range (), '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 ( 'Lady of the Tree').

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

Spirits Nang Mai (นางไม้; "Lady of the Wood"), a type of female ghosts or fairies related to trees. Nang Ta-khian (นางตะเคียน), a tree spirit living in Hopea odorata trees Nang Tani (นางตานี), a young woman haunting certain clumps of banana trees that appears on full moon nights Kuman Thong (กุมารทอง), spirits of young boys caught by voodoo masters to do his biddings, usually dressed in Thai ancient clothing with a traditional hair bun. Their name derives from the colour of their skin, which can be either gold, or pale. Mae sue (แม่ซื้อ), a guardian goddess or a female ghost of infants. Hoon payont (หุ่นพยนต์), artificial human or non-human. Owners can take advantage of the power of black magic to protect them like Khwai Thanu. Kwai Tanu (ควายธนู), also known as Wua Thanu (วัวธนู), a magical bull or water buffalo. Most people believe that Khwai Thanu is a black magic that is influenced by African who studied Voodoo. Khwai Thanu is popular in southern and northeastern Thailand. Shaman will use the dark magic by using Khwai Thanu to attack the enemy. You can call it a devil that destroys everything. Khwai Thanu is used to protect people from dark magic, because Khwai Thanu is a deadly weapon that destroys the enemy. It is hard to break or destroy it with general weapons. The dark magic from Khwai Thanu can be solved by using superior dark magic. Khwai Thanu has deadly magic. Shaman who wants to control it must always be tame. If shaman does not care about it, Khwai Thanu can return to hurt the owner. To make Khwai Thanu, start from the wood to the body structure. Then find the wood that the Undertaker used for the cremation. Wood from cremation must be used from the body that died on Tuesday and the bodies burned on Friday. Such timing can create the most magic of Khwai Thanu. When it comes to wood, bring it to the head, body, horn and tail. Then find a lac on the jujube that special point at the end of the branch pointed east and find the sheet of gold foil that covered the dead body over to lac another layer. Followed by use of a tiny rolled metal amulet between the chest and neck. After completing the body of Khwai Thanu, the most important step of this ritual is to cast spells to it by shaman. Phi Maphrao (ผีมะพร้าว), the coconut ghost.ผีมะพร้าว Phi Pluak (ผีปลวก), the ghost of the termites Phi Thuai Khaeo (ผีถ้วยแก้ว), the ghost that makes the upturned glass move (Thai Ouija) Pu Som Fao Sap (ปู่โสมเฝ้าทรัพย์), a male ghost who guards treasures, appearing like a venerable old man. Rak-Yom (รัก-ยม), appearing as two small boys similar to Kuman Thong. Mae Yanang (แม่ย่านาง) Phosop (แม่โพสพ) Cha kla (จะกละ) Kru Kai Kaew, a deity with half-demon figure, worshipped for good luck and fortune in work and life.

Ghosts

Khamot (โขมด), a luminescent ghost, like a will-o'-the-wisp. Krahang (กระหัง), a male ghost that flies in the night. It is believed to be related with Krasue as its wife. Krasue (กระสือ), a woman's head with her viscera hanging down from the neck Chao Kam Nai Wen (เจ้ากรรมนายเวร), a ghost that maintains ill will towards a person due to the wrongful karma the latter committed to the former during the former's life. Mae Nak (แม่นาก), a female ghost who died at childbirth and that can extend her arms. Phi Am (ผีอำ), a spirit that sits on a person's chest during the night. It is believed to have caused sleeping paralysis, making its name to be used as a name for the paralysis itself by both the civilians and medical officials. They mostly cause nightmares. Phi Hua Khat (ผีหัวขาด), a headless male ghost that carries his head. Phi Ka (ผีกะ), a voracious ghost Phi Kong Koi (ผีกองกอย), a forest vampire with one leg. Phi Lang Kluang (ผีหลังกลวง), a ghost from Southern Thailand with a very large wound in the back Phi Ma Bong (ผีม้าบ้อง), a ghost from Northern Thailand that can transform into a human and has a horse-like body, similar to a Tikbalang or Kelpie Phi Ngu (ผีงู), also known as Phrai Ngu (พรายงู) or Ngueak Ngu (เงือกงู), a ghost related to snakes that may appear in snake form, in human form or in a combination of both forms. Phi Phong (ผีโพง), a malevolent male ghost having an unpleasant smell. It lives in dark places under the vegetation. Phi Phrai (ผีพราย), the ghost of a woman who died together with the child in her womb or a ghost living in the water similar to an Undine. Phi Pop (; ), a ghost which eats raw meat. Humans and animals can be possessed by Phi Pop which eat their internal organs, killing them. Phi Pu Thao (ผีปู่เฒ่า), a ghost appearing as a very old man. Phi Song Nang (ผีสองนาง), female ghost that first lures, then attacks and kills young men. Phi Tabo (ผีตาโบ๋), a blind ghost with hollow eyes. Phi Tai Ha (ผีตายห่า), ghosts of persons who died in an accident; similar to ผีตายโหง. Phi Tai Hong (ผีตายโหง), the ghost of a person that suffered a sudden violent or cruel death. Phi Thale (ผีทะเล), a spirit of the sea. It manifests itself in different ways, one of them being St. Elmo's fire, among other uncanny phenomena experienced by sailors and fishermen while on boats. Its name was also used as a slang for naughty men. Suea Saming (เสือสมิง), a male or female who transformed into a tiger as a result of the power of black magic similar to a Skin-walker or Werecat Phi Tai Thang Klom (ผีตายทั้งกลม), the vengeful ghost of pregnant women who died during childbirth. Mae Ya Nang (แม่ย่านาง), an elderly ghost, which was believed to possess a boat or a ship. This belief is popular among the Thai Buddhist fishermen in the southern region, as well as the Royal Thai Navy. Kasa (กาสา) or Kasak (กาสัก) Kiatimuk (เกียรติมุข) Jetaphut(เจตภูต) Jaopho Hongklong (เจ้าพ่อหอกลอง) Jaopa Jaokhao (เจ้าป่าเจ้าเขา) or Phra Phanasabodi (พระพนัสบดี) Sarokawao (ซาเราะกาเวา) Theparak(เทพารักษ์) Deva (เทวา) Rakka (ยักขา) Nok ok (นกออก) Aja Le Le Bird (นกอะจ๊ะเหลเหล) Nang Kwak(นางกวัก) Mae Nak Phra Kanong (นางนาค หรือ แม่นาค พระโขนง) Niraya Asurakaya (นิรยอสุรกาย) Beua (เบื้อ) Fire Lotus Devil (ปิศาจดอกบัวไฟ) Phu Jao Saming Prai (ปู่เจ้าสมิงพราย) Phi Ka Yak (ผีกละยักษ์) Phi Kon Sao Tao Fai ผีก้อนเสาเตาไฟ (ผีปู่ดำย่าดำ) Phi Kalom Kao ผีกะล่อมข้าว Phi Kai Neuoi ผีไก่หน้อย (ผีลูกไก่เรืองแสง) Phi Khi Lek Lai ผีขี้เหล็กไหล Phi Kung Keui ผีขึงขื่อ Phi Kun Nam ผีขุนน้ำ Phi Kang Pon ผีค้างพอน Phi Kruea ผีเครือ Phi Jom Pruak ผีจอมปลวก Phi Chaka ผีจะกละ(ผีแมว) Phi Chao Nai ผีเจ้านาย (พวกผีร่างทรง) Phi Chao Ta ผีเจ้าท่า Phi Chamop (ผีฉมบ) Phi Cha Krae ผีชะแคร่ Phi Sin ผีชิน Phi Nang Dong ผีด้งหรือผีนางด้ง Phi Dip ผีดิบ Phi Ton Po ผีต้นโพธิ์ Phi Ta Langผีตะแหลง (ผีแปลงร่าง) Phi Ta Kon ผีตาโขน Phi Da Da ผีดาดา Phi Ta Bo ผีตาโบ๋ Phi Tai Pai ผีตายพราย Phi Ta Moi] ผีต๋ามอย Phi Ta Mong ผีตาโม่ง (ผีลูกไฟ) Phi To Kreng ผีโต๊ะเคร็ง Phi Toui Kaew ผีถ้วยแก้ว Phi Tan] ผีแถน (ผีด้ำใหญ่) Phi Ta Le ผีทะเล Phi Na] ผีนา (ผีตาแฮก) Phi Nang Noi] ผีนางน้อย Phi Nang Ram ผีนางรำ Phi Nang O Kra Chang ผีนางโอกระแชง (ผีแชง) Phi Bang Bod ผีบังบด Phi Ban Phi Rouen ผีบ้านผีเรือน Phi Pakam (ผีปะกำ) Preta ผีเปรตยักษ์ Phi Pa ผีป่า Phi Puang ผีป่วง Phi Pu Ya ผีปู่ย่า Phi Pao ผีเป้า Phi Pok Ka Long ผีโป๊กกะโหล้ง Phi Pong ผีโป่งดิน (ผีค่างดิน) Phi Pong ผีโป่งน้ำ (ผีค่างน้ำ) Phi Pu Sae Ya Sae ผีปู่แสะย่าแสะ Phi Pad Tao ผีแปดเต้า Phi Pong ผีโผงดง Phi Panan ผีพนัน (ทวาบร) Phi Phrai (ผีพราย) Phi Pia ผีเพลีย Phi Phrai (ผีไพร) Phi Pongผีโพง Comet ผีพุ่งไต้ (ผีปุ้งส้าว) Phi Fong Fai ผีฟองฝ้าย Phi Fa ผีฟ้า นางเทียม Phi Mod Phi Meng ผีมดผีเม็ง Phi Ma Bong ผีม้าบ้อง (ปอบม้า) Phi Mae Bandai ผีแม่บันได Phi Mae Mai ผีแม่มาย Phi Mae Mai ผีแม่หม้าย Phi Mai Nam Lu Nam Rai ผีไม้น้ำหลุน้ำไหล Phi Yai Sombat ผีย้ายสมบัติ Phi Ya Moh Nueng ผีย่าหม้อหนึ้ง Phi Lan Noud Kao ผีลานนวดข้าว Phi Song Sao ผีสองสาว Phi Mahesak ผีมเหสักข์ มเหสักข์ Phi Lang Kruang ผีหลังกลวง Phi Hing Phi Rong ผีหิ้งผีโรง Phi Hua Kad ผีหัวขาด Phi Hua Luang ผีหัวหลวง Phi I Koi ผีอี่ค้อย Phi I Nguak ผีอี่เงือก Phi I Hung ผีอี่ฮุง (ผีสายรุ้ง) Pra Kwan พระขวัญ Prai Ngu พรายงู Pho Kae Leu Si Phi Krue พ่อแก่ฤๅษีผีครู (ตฺริกาลชฺญ) Po Pu Kiao พ่อปู่เขียว ผีหม้อยาย ผียายตะกร้า ผียายชาม ผียายกระบอก Kala (Thai: พระกาล; RGTS: Phra Kan) Bhummaso (Thai: พระภูมิเจ้าที่; RGTS: Phra Phumijaothi) Bhamasura (ภัสมาสูร) Manomai (มโนมัย) Masasin (มัสสีล) Ma Thewakanthat (ม้าเทวกันทัด) Ma Asunkanthaka (ม้าอสูรกัณฐกะ) Maeng Sihuhata (แมงสี่หูห้าตา) Mae Thorani Pratu (แม่ธรณีประตู) Maeng Mani Phibok (แมงหมานีผีบอก) Mae Phi Lakson (ไม้ผีลักซ้อน) Yai Kalatakali(ยายกะลาตากะลี) or Nang Picha (นายป่าช้า) Rakshasa (รากษส) Pusom Faosap (ปู่โสมเฝ้าทรัพย์) Waruekhaka (วฤคกะ) Sipchuan (ศิพชวน) Saming(สมิง) Hoon payont (หุ่นพยนต์) Non Narok Paklek(หนอนนรกปากเหล็ก) Hong Phrai (โหงพราย) Ika Paklek (อีกาปากเหล็ก) Ilawala (อิลวละ) Watapi (วาตาปิ)

From other cultures Phi Dip Chin (ผีดิบจีน), a jumping ghost from the Chinese lore dressed in an ancient costume and having a written Chinese rune in front of its face. It became popular in Thailand through the Thai Chinese community. Pret (เปรต), an extremely tall hungry ghost part of the Buddhist lore; they are two stories tall, very skinny and have needle hole for mouths. Chitragupta (Thai: เจ้าเจตคุปต์; RGTS: Jao Jetakhup) Kubera (Thai: ท้าวกุเวร; RGTS: Thao Kuwen) Dhrtarastra (Thai: ท้าวธตรฐ; RGTS: Thao Thatarot) Virudhaka (Thai: ท้าววิรุฬหก; RGTS: Thao Wirunhok) Virupaksa (Thai: ท้าววิรูปักษ์; RGTS: Thao Wirupak)

Interaction with ghosts