About amulets and spirit houses, Thai superstitions
Thai are very superstitious. In addition to Buddhism, it is especially important animism (belief in ghosts) plays an important role in the daily lives of Thai nationals.
The belief in supernatural powers and evil spirits ensures that a Thai believes that the spirits must be kept happy. If they do not, these evil spirits can cause disaster such as illness and accidents. Thais protect themselves against evil spirits with spirit houses, amulets and medallions.
Animism is a term used to describe the belief that all things, both animate and non-living, have a soul or spirit. In Thailand, animism is an important part of the traditional cultural practices and belief systems of many ethnic groups. In Thailand, animism is mainly found in the northern and eastern parts of the country, where many ethnic minorities live. These groups often have their own unique belief systems and rituals based on animism.
Animism is also associated with the traditional practices of worshiping ancestors and invoking spirits for protection and assistance. It is also linked to the belief in evil spirits and the use of talismans and amulets to ward off these spirits.
Ghost houses are everywhere in Thailand
When one is going to build a house or something like that, the patron (spirit) of the site should be worshiped. Whoever builds the house places one ghost house, in the form of a small temple, on an elevation. You see them everywhere in the street scene and even in a bar. The spirit house ensures that the spirits from whom the plot of land has been taken are kept satisfied by offering them a new home.
When placing the ghost house, a few rules must be observed. For example, it should be built to the east or south of the actual house, so that the shadow of the house cannot fall on the house.
The time of its erection is also precisely determined according to astronomical calculations. In any case, it must be ready before 11:00 am, so that the ghosts can eat lunch in peace.
The spirits are given food such as rice, fruit or meat as an offering. But lemonade or cigarettes are also offered to satisfy the ghosts and not to make them angry. When it turns out that evil spirits are still hanging around in the house, monks from the local temple must come to convince the restless spirits to move into the spirit house.
Amulets for protection against evil
When you get into a car or taxi with a Thai, you usually see several Buddha statues on the dashboard. But many Thai also wear necklaces with small Buddha statues, bracelets with an amulet or an old coin.
Small Buddha statues that are worn with a chain around the neck are very popular with Thai men. They consist of all kinds of materials such as metal, clay, wood, ivory and resin, but a combination of different materials is also possible. The clay figurines are pressed into a mold and then baked.
Given the high demand, more and more plastic figurines are coming onto the market. The Thai themselves have a preference for old and antique amulets, which are therefore quite expensive.
Buddha figurines made by ancient monks
Although in principle anyone can make the figurines, in most cases they are made by old monks. To make an image of Buddha, also known as Phra Phim, a monk is needed because they have the most knowledge of the material, but also because they can bless the statue with sacred spells. The knowledge of the holy scriptures and sacred drawings ensure that the amulet gets its protective effect.
Almost as popular as Buddha statues are the metal protective medallions depicting the head of a holy person, with a Khom on one side and a Yan on the other. Also popular are medallions with the face of King Chulalongkorn, but most in pull out his medallions with the image of a monk who is famous for his magical powers. These medallions are made by commercial companies, usually to raise funds for a ceremony.
Special markets for amulets
The amulets can be bought almost everywhere, even in department stores. But there are also special amulet markets such as near the Grand Palace in Bangkok. In addition to Thai and tourists, you will also find monks who are looking for a special amulet. Some Thai take a day off to find that one beautiful amulet. There are even Thai people who would pay a full year's salary for a special amulet. Sometimes they even go into debt for it. They are therefore convinced that this investment will pay for itself one day.
Because buying sacred items is actually not customary, the Thai call it renting instead of buying. But of course the rented property does not have to be returned.
In the past, this blog also featured stories about believing in ghosts and the influence on people and their actions. I found that quite intense. Then a video with jokes is quite fun, but I think many Thais laugh along and take measures against the whole thing a few minutes later, just to be on the safe side. I no longer whistle in the street when walking on the street at night in Thailand.
My study is on the top, eighth floor of the school building. I almost always take the elevator up. On the screen in the elevator, the button of the second floor is blacked out and cannot be pressed. So you can't stop there either. And this floor cannot be reached via the stairwell because the door is always locked. According to some students, at least 1 ghost lives on this floor. One day last year, the following happened. The elevator started moving from the ground floor upwards. The elevator stopped - unexpectedly and without command from the elevator users - on the second floor and the elevator door opened. Me and the other people in the elevator (also a few students) looked into a dark hall. No one and nothing to be seen. No one got in the elevator. The door closed again and the elevator continued on its way. Since then, the students have known that it is really bad on the second floor.
Everything can be explained by a power failure in this case, which is a common occurrence. Or Mr. Ghost thought he would give them a good scare, opened the door and saw a farang, trembled with fear himself and quickly closed the doors. Since then, the story among the minds has been to no longer open the doors of the elevator because things are not right in the elevator.
I have the feeling that it is often more about custom and tradition, parroting each other about ghosts, than about actually believing.
My house, like many other houses in the village, does not have a house for ghosts.
But no one has ever walked around my house in a big curve because they were afraid of ghosts.
Even when it is already dark, the Thai just knock on my door.
We had no ceremonies and no so-called spirit house when building the new house, but we did at the old house in another village. I have not been able to detect any difference in dealing with us – weak-believing Thaiyai and atheistic Dutchman.
But you never know for sure with ghosts…
Moderator: Please stick to Thailand. This blog is about Thailand and not about the Netherlands.
A Thai woman we know returned to her native village in Isaan a few years ago and built a simple house there with the help of family and friends. She was very pleased with it. Two years ago a young man died nearby. She now believes his ghost haunts her cottage. She no longer dares to live there and has moved in with her sister.