Do you believe in ghosts? If you are Thai I’m certain you will answer yes, I believe in ghosts. If you are a Westerner I guess you will most likely dismiss ghosts and belief in the spirit world as pure twaddle. As a Westerner living in Thailand, you will also know that Thai people truly […]
Continue ReadingSpirit Worship in Thailand
Thailand’s Animist Practices and Beliefs
Before Hinduism and Buddhism were introduced into Thailand there was only one religious belief, that belief was that a spirit world existed, not only did the spirits exist but they were mightily powerful and controlling, this belief is called Animism and it manifests itself in the form of spirit worship. It might not be strictly […]
Continue ReadingThai City Pillars – Lak Mueang
In Thailand, houses are protected by spirit houses (San Phra Phoom and San Jao Tee), larger buildings and villages are protected by Brahma shrines (San Phra Phrum/San Phra Brahm). Thai cities, more specifically the provincial capitals of Thailand are protected by the City Pillar. also known as Lak Mueang, “Lak Myan”. The City Pillar is […]
Continue ReadingThailand’s Four Faced Deity
A common mistake made by visitors to Thailand is to assume that Brahma shrines are a “four faced Buddha”. This is probably a natural assumption made on the grounds that Thailand is a Buddhist country, indeed, Thailand has the highest percentage per population of Buddhists in the world, so it’s a mistake which can easily […]
Continue ReadingSacred Fig Tree in Pattaya Naklua
The sacred tree prominently positioned in the middle of the road, in the center of the market town of Naklua, just a few miles north of Pattaya, is commonly referred to as “The Tree”. It is in fact a Sacred Fig tree (ficus religiosa), sacred fig trees are highly respected in Thailand because of their […]
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