Thai Spirits and Spirit Houses

The world of the Thai villager (and that of many city folk as well) is inhabited by a host of spirits. Although these beliefs are not sanctioned by Buddhist scripture or even by Buddhist tradition, many monks, themselves of rural origin and essentially tied to the village, are as likely as the peasant to accept the rituals associated with spirits. Most important are the spirits included in the rather heterogeneous category of Phi, thought to have power over human beings. This includes spirits believed to have a permanent existence and others that are reincarnations of deceased human beings. Phi exist virtually everywhere, in trees, hills, water, animals, the earth, and so on. Some are malevolent, others beneficial. The ghosts of notable people are said to reside in small shrines along the roads and are referred to as 'spirit lords.' They are often petitioned in prayers and can enter and possess the bodies of mediums to give oracles. Another category of spirits consists of the Chao (guardian spirits), of which perhaps the most important is the Chao Thi, or guardian of the house compound. Fixed on a post in the compound of most houses in Thailand is a small spirit dwelling. Without this vital structure you’re likely to have the spirits living with you! Food offerings are made to the Chao Thi on special days. The spirit is told of the arrival of guests of projected journeys by members of the family, and of births and deaths. The spirit's intercession is also sought during illness and misfortune. Other spirits protect gardens, the rice fields, and the Wat. The ghosts of people who died violently under mysterious circumstances or whose funeral rites were improperly performed constitute another class of Phi; almost all of these spirits are malevolent. Among the more important is the evil phi pop (ghoul spirit), which, at the instigation of witches, can enter human beings and consume their internal organs!