Belief in ghosts in Thai culture is both popular and enduring. In the history of

Thailand Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning , with a population of almost 70 million. The country is bo ...

Buddhist Buddhism ( , ), also known as Buddha Dharma and Dharmavinaya (), is an Indian religion or philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. It originated in northern India as a -movement in the 5th century BCE, and ...

popular beliefs intermingled with legends of spirits or

ghosts A ghost is the soul or spirit of a dead person or animal that is believed to be able to appear to the living. In ghostlore, descriptions of ghosts vary widely from an invisible presence to translucent or barely visible wispy shapes, to rea ...

of local folklore. These myths have survived and evolved, having been adapted to the modern media, such as Thai films,

Thai television soap opera Lakorn is a popular genre of fiction in Thai television. They are known in Thai as (, lit. "television drama") or (''lakhon'', , or ''lakorn''). They are shown generally at prime-time on Thai television channels, starting usually on, before or ...

s, and

Thai comics Thai comics are comics written and produced in Thailand. History According to Thai media historian Anake Nawigamune( เอนก นาวิกมูล), the first example of Siamese comics art was published around 1906 in an issue of Sam ...

. Some of the ghosts of

Thai culture Thai or THAI may refer to: * Of or from Thailand, a country in Southeast Asia ** Thai people, the dominant ethnic group of Thailand ** Thai language, a Tai-Kadai language spoken mainly in and around Thailand *** Thai script *** Thai (Unicode bloc ...

are shared with neighboring cultures.

Krasue The ''Krasue'' ( th, กระสือ, ), known as ''Ahp'' ( km, អាប) in Cambodia; as ''Kasu'' ( lo, ກະສື, ) in Laos; as ''Kuyang'' ( id, Kui'yang), ''Leak'' ( id, lei'yak), ''Pelasik'', ''Pelesit'', or ''Penanggalan'' in Indone ...

, for example is part of the

Cambodia Cambodia (; also Kampuchea ; km, កម្ពុជា, UNGEGN: ), officially the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochinese Peninsula in Southeast Asia, spanning an area of , bordered by Thailand t ...

n, Lao, and Malay cultures as well. A few of these, including the tall

Preta Preta ( sa, प्रेत, bo, ཡི་དྭགས་ ''yi dags''), also known as hungry ghost, is the Sanskrit name for a type of supernatural being described in Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Chinese folk religion as undergoing suffer ...

, are part of the mythology of Buddhism. There are, however, others, such as

Phi Dip Chin A jiāngshī, also known as a Chinese hopping vampire, is a type of reanimated corpse in Chinese legends and folklore. The characters for "jiāngshī" are read goeng-si in Cantonese, cương thi in Vietnamese, kyonshī in Japanese, and gangsi ...

, which have entered Thai ghost lore through the

Chinese community The Chinese people or simply Chinese, are people or ethnic groups identified with China, usually through ethnicity, nationality, citizenship, or other affiliation. Chinese people are known as Zhongguoren () or as Huaren () by speakers of s ...

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 Nocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal", versus diurnal meaning the opposite. Nocturnal creatures generally have highly developed sens ...

. Except for the well-known ''

'', most ghosts were traditionally not represented in paintings or drawings, hence they are purely based on

oral tradition Oral tradition, or oral lore, is a form of human communication wherein knowledge, art, ideas and cultural material is received, preserved, and transmitted orally from one generation to another. Vansina, Jan: ''Oral Tradition as History'' (1985 ...

. The local beliefs regarding the village spirits of Thailand were studied by

Phraya Anuman Rajadhon Phya Anuman Rajadhon ( th, พระยาอนุมานราชธน; , also spelled ''Phaya Anuman Rajadhon'' or ''Phrayā Anuman Rajadhon''; December 14, 1888 – July 12, 1969), was one of modern Thailand's most remarkable scholars. He ...

. 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 Phi Pan Nam Range, also Pee Pan Nam, ( th, ทิวเขาผีปันน้ำ) is a long system of mountain ranges in the eastern half of the Thai highlands. It is mostly in Thailand, although a small section in the northeast is w ...

(), 'the mountain range that the spirits use to divide the waters', and ''

Phae Mueang Phi Phae Mueang Phi ( th, แพะเมืองผี, ) is a place with original rock formations in the Phi Pan Nam Range, Thailand. It is about eight kilometres northeast of Phrae town in Mueang Phrae District, Phrae Province. Named after the ...

'' (แพะเมืองผี) are named after ancient ghosts believed to dwell in these places. Female ghosts or fairies related to trees such as ''

Nang Ta-khian Nang Ta-khian ( th, นางตะเคียน, "Lady of 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'' (ตะ� ...

'' and ''

Nang Tani Nang Tani ( th, นางตานี; "Lady of 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 (''Musa balbisiana''), known as in Thai language as ' ...

'' 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 Nang or nangs may refer to: * Nang County, Nyingchi, Tibet, China * Nang yai, a form of shadow play * ''Nang!'', a general interest magazine * Nang, a slang term for nitrous oxide (N2O, laughing gas) when used as a recreational drug; or for whippe ...

(นางไม้; "Lady of the Wood"), a type of female

ghost A ghost is the soul or spirit of a dead person or animal that is believed to be able to appear to the living. In ghostlore, descriptions of ghosts vary widely from an invisible presence to translucent or barely visible wispy shapes, to rea ...

s or

fairies A fairy (also fay, fae, fey, fair folk, or faerie) is a type of mythical being or legendary creature found in the folklore of multiple European cultures (including Celtic, Slavic, Germanic, English, and French folklore), a form of spirit, o ...

related to trees. *

(นางตะเคียน), a

tree spirit A tree deity or tree spirit is a nature deity related to a tree. Such deities are present in many cultures. They are usually represented as a young woman, often connected to ancient fertility and tree worship lore.Heinrich Zimmer, ''Myths and Symb ...

living in ''

Hopea odorata ''Hopea odorata'', or ta-khian ( th, ตะเคียน), is a species of plant in the family Dipterocarpaceae. It is found in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. It is a large tree reaching up to 45 m ...

'' trees

(นางตานี), a young woman haunting certain clumps of

banana trees A banana is an elongated, edible fruit – botanically a berry – produced by several kinds of large herbaceous flowering plants in the genus ''Musa''. In some countries, bananas used for cooking may be called "plantains", distingu ...

that appears on

full moon The full moon is the lunar phase when the Moon appears fully illuminated from Earth's perspective. This occurs when Earth is located between the Sun and the Moon (when the ecliptic coordinate system, ecliptic longitudes of the Sun and Moon opp ...

nights *

Kuman Thong ''Kuman Thong'' ( th, กุมารทอง) is a household divinity of Thai folk religion. It is believed to bring luck and fortune to the owner if properly revered. ''Kuman'', or ''Kumara'' (Pali) means " Sanctified young boy" (female ''kum ...

(กุมารทอง), spirits of young boys caught by voodoo masters to do his biddings, usually dressed in Thai ancient clothing with traditional hair bun. Their name derives from the colour of their skin, which can be either gold, or pale. *

Mae sue ''Mae Sue'' ( th, แม่ซื้อ) is the guardian goddess and female ghost of infants, one of the benevolent guardian spirits in Thai culture. These female spirits are considered to protect whatever is related to their names. Mae Sue lite ...

(แม่ซื้อ), a guardian goddess or a female ghost of infants. *

Hun Phayon The Huns were a Nomad, nomadic people who lived in Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Eastern Europe between the 4th and 6th century AD. According to European tradition, they were first reported living east of the Volga River, in an area that wa ...

(หุ่นพยนต์), artificial human or non-human. Owners can take advantage of the power of black magic to protect them like Khwai Thanu. * Khwai Thanu (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 rematurn 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 The coconut tree (''Cocos nucifera'') is a member of the palm tree family ( Arecaceae) and the only living species of the genus ''Cocos''. The term "coconut" (or the archaic "cocoanut") can refer to the whole coconut palm, the seed, or the ...

ghost. * Phi Pluak (ผีปลวก), the ghost of the termites * Phi Thuai Khaeo (ผีถ้วยแก้ว), the ghost that makes the upturned glass move (Thai

Ouija The ouija ( , ), also known as a spirit board or talking board, is a flat board marked with the letters of the Latin alphabet, the numbers 0–9, the words "yes", "no", occasionally "hello" and "goodbye", along with various symbols and grap ...

) * 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 Phosop ( th, โพสพ) or Phaisop ( th, ไพสพ) is the rice goddess of the Thai people. She is a deity more related to ancient Thai folklore than a goddess of a structured, mainstream religion. She is also known as ''Mae Khwan Khao'' ( ...

(แม่โพสพ)

From other cultures

(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 Thai Chinese (also known as Chinese Thais, Sino-Thais), Thais of Chinese origin ( th, ชาวไทยเชื้อสายจีน; ''exonym and also domestically''), endonym Thai people ( th, ชาวไทย), are Chinese descenda ...

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 Chitragupta (Sanskrit: चित्रगुप्त, 'rich in secrets' or 'hidden picture') is a Hindu deity assigned with the task of keeping complete records of the actions of human beings and punishing or rewarding them according to their ...

(Thai: เจ้าเจตคุปต์; RGTS: Jao Jetakhup) *

Kubera Kubera ( sa, कुबेर, translit=Kuberā) also known as Kuvera, Kuber and Kuberan, is the god of wealth, and the god-king of the semi-divine yakshas in Hinduism. He is regarded as Guardians of the directions, the regent of the north (' ...

(Thai: ท้าวกุเวร; RGTS: Thao Kuwen) * Dhrtarastra (Thai: ท้าวธตรฐ; RGTS: Thao Thatarot) * Virudhaka (Thai: ท้าววิรุฬหก; RGTS: Thao Wirunhok) * Virupaksa (Thai: ท้าววิรูปักษ์; RGTS: Thao Wirupak)

Ghosts

* Khamot (โขมด), a luminescent ghost, like a

will-o'-the-wisp In folklore, a will-o'-the-wisp, will-o'-wisp or ''ignis fatuus'' (, plural ''ignes fatui''), is an atmospheric ghost light seen by travellers at night, especially over bogs, swamps or marshes. The phenomenon is known in English folk belief, ...

. *

Krahang Krahang ( th, กระหัง, ; or , ) is a male spirit of the Thai folklore. It manifests itself as a shirtless man, wearing a traditional loincloth, who flies in the night. Royal Institute Dictionary, 1999 edition, first printing (2003) ''Kr ...

(กระหัง), a male ghost that flies in the night. It is believed to be related with Krasue as its wife. *

(กระสือ), a woman's head with her

viscera In biology, an organ is a collection of tissues joined in a structural unit to serve a common function. In the hierarchy of life, an organ lies between tissue and an organ system. Tissues are formed from same type cells to act together in a ...

hanging down from the neck *

Chao Kam Nai Wen Chao may refer to: People * Chao (surname), various Chinese surnames (including 晁 and 巢, as well as non-Pinyin spellings) * Zhou (surname) (周), may also be spelled Chao * Zhao (surname) (趙/赵), may also be spelled Chao in Taiwan and Hon ...

(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 Mae Nak Phra Khanong ( th, แม่นากพระโขนง, meaning 'Lady Nak of Phra Khanong'), or simply Mae Nak ( th, แม่นาก, 'Lady Nak') or Nang Nak ( th, นางนาก, 'Miss Nak'), is a well-known Thai ghost. Acc ...

(แม่นาก), a female ghost who died at childbirth and that can extend her arms. XRF-krasue

* 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 Phi (; uppercase Φ, lowercase φ or ϕ; grc, ϕεῖ ''pheî'' ; Modern Greek: ''fi'' ) is the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet. In Archaic Greek, Archaic and Classical Greek (c. 9th century BC to 4th century BC), it represented an Aspi ...

(ผีกะ), a voracious ghost * Phi Kong Koi (ผีกองกอย), a forest vampire with one leg. * Phi Lang Kluang (ผีหลังกลวง), a ghost from

Southern Thailand Southern Thailand, Southern Siam or Tambralinga is a southernmost cultural region of Thailand, separated from Central Thailand region by the Kra Isthmus. Geography Southern Thailand is on the Malay Peninsula, with an area of around , bounded ...

with a very large wound in the back * Phi Ma Bong (ผีม้าบ้อง), a female ghost from

Northern Thailand Northern Thailand, or more specifically Lanna, is geographically characterised by several mountain ranges, which continue from the Shan Hills in bordering Myanmar to Laos, and the river valleys which cut through them. Though like most of Thailand ...

similar to a

Tikbalang The Tikbalang (/ˈtikbaˌlaŋ/) (also Tigbalang, Tigbalan, Tikbalan, Tigbolan, or Werehorse) is a creature of Philippine folklore said to lurk in the mountains and rainforests of the Philippines. It is a tall, bony humanoid creature with the he ...

Kelpie A kelpie, or water kelpie (Scottish Gaelic: ''Each-Uisge''), is a shape-shifting spirit inhabiting lochs in Scottish folklore. It is usually described as a black horse-like creature, able to adopt human form. Some accounts state that the kelpie ...

Phi Ngu Phi (; uppercase Φ, lowercase φ or ϕ; grc, ϕεῖ ''pheî'' ; Modern Greek: ''fi'' ) is the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet. In Archaic and Classical Greek (c. 9th century BC to 4th century BC), it represented an aspirated voicele ...

(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 female ghost living in the water similar to an Undine. *

Phi Pop Pop ( th, ปอบ) is a cannibalistic spirit of Thai folklore. It manifests itself as a that likes to devour human viscera. Pop is related to the Phi Fa spirit. Legends A traditional legend says that a long time ago a flower could take control ...

( th, ผีปอบ; ), 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 Phi (; uppercase Φ, lowercase φ or ϕ; grc, ϕεῖ ''pheî'' ; Modern Greek: ''fi'' ) is the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet. In Archaic and Classical Greek (c. 9th century BC to 4th century BC), it represented an aspirated voicele ...

(ผีตายห่า), ghosts of persons who died in an accident; similar to ผีตายโหง. *

Phi Tai Hong Phi Tai Hong ( th, ผีตายโหง) is a ghost of Thai folklore. It is the vengeful and restless spirit of a person who suffered a violent or cruel death. Origins ''Phi Tai Hong'' usually has its origin in a man or a woman who died sudd ...

(ผีตายโหง), the ghost of a person that suffered a sudden violent or cruel death. *

Phi Thale Phi (; uppercase Φ, lowercase φ or ϕ; grc, ϕεῖ ''pheî'' ; Modern Greek: ''fi'' ) is the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet. In Archaic and Classical Greek (c. 9th century BC to 4th century BC), it represented an aspirated voicele ...

(ผีทะเล), a spirit of the sea. It manifests itself in different ways, one of them being

St. Elmo's fire St. Elmo's fire — also called Witchfire or Witch's Fire — is a weather phenomenon in which luminous plasma is created by a corona discharge from a rod-like object such as a mast, spire, chimney, or animal hornHeidorn, K., Weather Element ...

, 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 In Navajo culture, a skin-walker ( nv, yee naaldlooshii) is a type of harmful witch who has the ability to turn into, possess, or disguise themselves as an animal. The term is never used for healers. Background In the Navajo language, ' transl ...

Werecat A werecat (also written in a hyphenated form as were-cat) is an analog to "werewolf" for a feline therianthropic creature. Etymology Ailuranthropy comes from the Greek root words ''ailouros'' meaning "cat",< and ''anthropos'', meaning "human" ...

* Phi Tai Thang Klom (ผีตายทั้งกลม), the

vengeful ghost In mythology and folklore, a vengeful ghost or vengeful spirit is said to be the spirit of a dead person who returns from the afterlife to seek revenge for a cruel, unnatural or unjust death. In certain cultures where funeral and burial or crema ...

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 Kasa may refer to Places *Kasa (kingdom), a former kingdom in Senegal *Kasa, Sweden, a village in northern Sweden *Kasa District, Kyoto, a district in Kyoto, Japan *Kasa Khurd, a village in Maharashtra, India *Kasa-Vubu (commune), a district in t ...

(กาสา) or Kasak (กาสัก) * Kiatimuk (เกียรติมุข) * Jetaphut(เจตภูต) * Jaopho Hongklong (เจ้าพ่อหอกลอง) * Jaopa Jaokhao (เจ้าป่าเจ้าเขา) or Phra Phanasabodi (พระพนัสบดี) * Sarokawao (ซาเราะกาเวา) * Theparak(เทพารักษ์) *

Deva Deva may refer to: Entertainment * ''Deva'' (1989 film), a 1989 Kannada film * ''Deva'' (1995 film), a 1995 Tamil film * ''Deva'' (2002 film), a 2002 Bengali film * Deva (2007 Telugu film) * ''Deva'' (2017 film), a 2017 Marathi film * Deva ...

(เทวา) *

Rakka Raqqa ( ar, ٱلرَّقَّة, ar-Raqqah, also and ) (Kurdish: Reqa/ ڕەقە) is a city in Syria on the northeast bank of the Euphrates River, about east of Aleppo. It is located east of the Tabqa Dam, Syria's largest dam. The Hellenistic, ...

(ยักขา) * Nok ok (นกออก) * Aja Le Le Bird (นกอะจ๊ะเหลเหล) *

Nang Kwak Nang Kwak ( th, นางกวัก) is a spirit or household divinity of Thai folklore. She is deemed to bring good fortune, prosperity, attract customers to a business, and found among merchants. Commonly dressed in red Thai style clothing, N ...

(นางกวัก) * Mae Nak Phra Kanong (นางนาค หรือ แม่นาค พระโขนง) * Niraya Asurakaya (นิรยอสุรกาย) * Beua (เบื้อ) * Fire Lotus Devil (ปิศาจดอกบัวไฟ) *

Phu Jao Saming Prai Phu or ''variation'', may refer to: Places *Phủ, prefecture in 15th–19th century Vietnam People Given name *Phu Dorjee (died 1987), first Indian to climb Mount Everest without oxygen *Phu Dorjee Sherpa (died 1969), first Nepali to climb Mount ...

(ปู่เจ้าสมิงพราย) *

Phi Ka Yak Phi (; uppercase Φ, lowercase φ or ϕ; grc, ϕεῖ ''pheî'' ; Modern Greek: ''fi'' ) is the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet. In Archaic and Classical Greek (c. 9th century BC to 4th century BC), it represented an aspirated voicele ...

(ผีกละยักษ์) * Phi Kon Sao Tao Fai ผีก้อนเสาเตาไฟ (ผีปู่ดำย่าดำ) * Phi Kalom Kao ผีกะล่อมข้าว * Phi Kai Neuoi ผีไก่หน้อย (ผีลูกไก่เรืองแสง) *

Phi Khi Lek Lai Phi (; uppercase Φ, lowercase φ or ϕ; grc, ϕεῖ ''pheî'' ; Modern Greek: ''fi'' ) is the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet. In Archaic and Classical Greek (c. 9th century BC to 4th century BC), it represented an aspirated voicele ...

ผีขี้เหล็กไหล *

Phi Kung Keui Phi (; uppercase Φ, lowercase φ or ϕ; grc, ϕεῖ ''pheî'' ; Modern Greek: ''fi'' ) is the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet. In Archaic and Classical Greek (c. 9th century BC to 4th century BC), it represented an aspirated voicele ...

ผีขึงขื่อ * Phi Kun Nam ผีขุนน้ำ *

Phi Kang Pon Phi (; uppercase Φ, lowercase φ or ϕ; grc, ϕεῖ ''pheî'' ; Modern Greek: ''fi'' ) is the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet. In Archaic and Classical Greek (c. 9th century BC to 4th century BC), it represented an aspirated voicele ...

ผีค้างพอน * Phi Kruea ผีเครือ *

Phi Jom Pruak Phi (; uppercase Φ, lowercase φ or ϕ; grc, ϕεῖ ''pheî'' ; Modern Greek: ''fi'' ) is the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet. In Archaic and Classical Greek (c. 9th century BC to 4th century BC), it represented an aspirated voicele ...

ผีจอมปลวก * Phi Chaka ผีจะกละ(ผีแมว) * Phi Chao Nai ผีเจ้านาย (พวกผีร่างทรง) *

Phi Chao Ta Phi (; uppercase Φ, lowercase φ or ϕ; grc, ϕεῖ ''pheî'' ; Modern Greek: ''fi'' ) is the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet. In Archaic and Classical Greek (c. 9th century BC to 4th century BC), it represented an aspirated voicele ...

ผีเจ้าท่า * Phi Chamop (ผีฉมบ) * Phi Cha Krae ผีชะแคร่ *

Phi Sin Phi (; uppercase Φ, lowercase φ or ϕ; grc, ϕεῖ ''pheî'' ; Modern Greek: ''fi'' ) is the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet. In Archaic and Classical Greek (c. 9th century BC to 4th century BC), it represented an aspirated voicele ...

ผีชิน * Phi Nang Dong ผีด้งหรือผีนางด้ง *

Phi Dip Phi (; uppercase Φ, lowercase φ or ϕ; grc, ϕεῖ ''pheî'' ; Modern Greek: ''fi'' ) is the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet. In Archaic and Classical Greek (c. 9th century BC to 4th century BC), it represented an aspirated voicele ...

ผีดิบ * Phi Ton Po ผีต้นโพธิ์ * Phi Ta Langผีตะแหลง (ผีแปลงร่าง) * Phi Ta Kon ผีตาโขน * Phi Da Da ผีดาดา *

Phi Ta Bo Phi (; uppercase Φ, lowercase φ or ϕ; grc, ϕεῖ ''pheî'' ; Modern Greek: ''fi'' ) is the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet. In Archaic and Classical Greek (c. 9th century BC to 4th century BC), it represented an aspirated voicele ...

ผีตาโบ๋ * Phi Tai Pai ผีตายพราย * Phi Ta Moi] ผีต๋ามอย * Phi Ta Mong ผีตาโม่ง (ผีลูกไฟ) * Phi To Kreng ผีโต๊ะเคร็ง * Phi Toui Kaew ผีถ้วยแก้ว *

Phi Tan Phi (; uppercase Φ, lowercase φ or ϕ; grc, ϕεῖ ''pheî'' ; Modern Greek: ''fi'' ) is the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet. In Archaic and Classical Greek (c. 9th century BC to 4th century BC), it represented an aspirated voicele ...

] ผีแถน (ผีด้ำใหญ่) * Phi Ta Le ผีทะเล *

Phi Na Phi (; uppercase Φ, lowercase φ or ϕ; grc, ϕεῖ ''pheî'' ; Modern Greek: ''fi'' ) is the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet. In Archaic Greek, Archaic and Classical Greek (c. 9th century BC to 4th century BC), it represented an Aspi ...

] ผีนา (ผีตาแฮก) *

Phi Nang Noi Phi (; uppercase Φ, lowercase φ or ϕ; grc, ϕεῖ ''pheî'' ; Modern Greek: ''fi'' ) is the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet. In Archaic and Classical Greek (c. 9th century BC to 4th century BC), it represented an aspirated voicele ...

] ผีนางน้อย * Phi Nang Ram ผีนางรำ * Phi Nang O Kra Chang ผีนางโอกระแชง (ผีแชง) * [Phi_Bang_Bod_ผีบังบด *_ [Phi_Bang_Bod_ผีบังบด *_Phi_Ban_Phi_Rouen">[Phi_Bang_Bod.html"_;"title="[Phi_Bang_Bod">[Phi_Bang_Bod_ผีบังบด *_Phi_Ban_Phi_Rouen_ผีบ้านผีเรือน_ *_:th:ผีปะกำ.html" ;"title="Phi_Ban_Phi_Rouen.html" ;"title="[Phi_Bang_Bod.html" ;"title="[Phi Bang Bod">[Phi Bang Bod ผีบังบด * Phi Ban Phi Rouen">[Phi_Bang_Bod.html" ;"title="[Phi Bang Bod">[Phi Bang Bod ผีบังบด * Phi Ban Phi Rouen ผีบ้านผีเรือน * :th:ผีปะกำ">Phi Pakam (ผีปะกำ) *

ผีเปรตยักษ์ * Phi Pa ผีป่า * Phi Puang ผีป่วง * 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 Phi (; uppercase Φ, lowercase φ or ϕ; grc, ϕεῖ ''pheî'' ; Modern Greek: ''fi'' ) is the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet. In Archaic Greek, Archaic and Classical Greek (c. 9th century BC to 4th century BC), it represented an Aspi ...

ผีพนัน (ทวาบร) * Phi Phrai (ผีพราย) *

Phi Pia Phi (; uppercase Φ, lowercase φ or ϕ; grc, ϕεῖ ''pheî'' ; Modern Greek: ''fi'' ) is the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet. In Archaic and Classical Greek (c. 9th century BC to 4th century BC), it represented an aspirated voicele ...

ผีเพลีย * Phi Phrai (ผีไพร) * Phi Pongผีโพง *

Comet A comet is an icy, small Solar System body that, when passing close to the Sun, warms and begins to release gases, a process that is called outgassing. This produces a visible atmosphere or coma, and sometimes also a tail. These phenomena ar ...

ผีพุ่งไต้ (ผีปุ้งส้าว) * Phi Fong Fai ผีฟองฝ้าย *

Phi Fa Phi Fa ( th, ผีฟ้า, lo, ຜີຟ້າ) is a deity or spirit in the local folklore of northeast Thailand and Laos. It is also known as Phi Thaen (ผีแถน). They play a prominent role in the Phra Lak Phra Lam and the stories of ...

ผีฟ้า นางเทียม *

Phi Mod Phi Meng Phi (; uppercase Φ, lowercase φ or ϕ; grc, ϕεῖ ''pheî'' ; Modern Greek: ''fi'' ) is the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet. In Archaic and Classical Greek (c. 9th century BC to 4th century BC), it represented an aspirated voicele ...

ผีมดผีเม็ง * Phi Ma Bong ผีม้าบ้อง (ปอบม้า) *

Phi Mae Bandai Phi (; uppercase Φ, lowercase φ or ϕ; grc, ϕεῖ ''pheî'' ; Modern Greek: ''fi'' ) is the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet. In Archaic and Classical Greek (c. 9th century BC to 4th century BC), it represented an aspirated voicele ...

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 Phi (; uppercase Φ, lowercase φ or ϕ; grc, ϕεῖ ''pheî'' ; Modern Greek: ''fi'' ) is the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet. In Archaic and Classical Greek (c. 9th century BC to 4th century BC), it represented an aspirated voicele ...

ผีหัวขาด *

Phi Hua Luang Phi (; uppercase Φ, lowercase φ or ϕ; grc, ϕεῖ ''pheî'' ; Modern Greek: ''fi'' ) is the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet. In Archaic and Classical Greek (c. 9th century BC to 4th century BC), it represented an aspirated voicele ...

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 Phở or pho (, , ; ) is a Vietnamese soup dish consisting of broth, rice noodles (), herbs, and meat (usually beef (), sometimes chicken ()). Phở is a popular food in Vietnam where it is served in households, street stalls and restaurants c ...

พ่อแก่ฤๅษีผีครู (ตฺริกาลชฺญ) * ]

o Pu Kiao O, or o, is the fifteenth letter and the fourth vowel letter in the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''o'' (pronounced ), pl ...

พ่อปู่เขียว ผีหม้อยาย ผียายตะกร้า ผียายชาม ผียายกระบอก *

Kala Kala or Kalah may refer to: Religion Hinduism *Kāla, a Sanskrit word meaning ''time'' *Kāla, a Hindu deity of time, destiny, death and destruction closely related to Yama and Shiva. *Kalā, a Sanskrit word meaning ''performing arts'' * Kala Bo, ...

(Thai: พระกาล; RGTS: Phra Kan) *

Bhummaso Myay Saung Nat ( my, မြေစောင့်နတ်; lit. "Earth Guardian Spirit"), are Burmese '' nats'' (spirits) who inhabit the roots of trees and serve as guardians of the earth. They are related to Thitpin Saung Nat and ''Akathaso'' ...

(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 Mae is an American rock band that formed in Norfolk, Virginia in 2001. The band's name is an acronym for "Multi-sensory Aesthetic Experience", based on a course taken by drummer Jacob Marshall while a student at Old Dominion University. History ...

(ไม้ผีลักซ้อน) * Yai Kalatakali(ยายกะลาตากะลี) or Nang Picha (นายป่าช้า) *

Rakshasa Rakshasas ( sa, राक्षस, IAST: : Pali: ''rakkhaso'') lit. 'preservers' are a race of usually malevolent demigods prominently featured in Hindu mythology. According to the Brahmanda Purana, the rakshasas were created by Brahma whe ...

(รากษส) * Pusom Faosap (ปู่โสมเฝ้าทรัพย์) * Waruekhaka (วฤคกะ) * Sipchuan (ศิพชวน) * Saming(สมิง) *

(หุ่นพยนต์) *

Non Narok Paklek Non, non or NON can refer to: * ''Non'', a negatory word in French, Italian and Latin People *Non (given name) *Non Boonjumnong (born 1982), Thai amateur boxer * Rena Nōnen (born 1993), Japanese actress who uses the stage name "Non" since July ...

(หนอนนรกปากเหล็ก) * Hong Phrai (โหงพราย) * Ika Paklek (อีกาปากเหล็ก) * Ilawala (อิลวละ) * Watapi (วาตาปิ)

Interaction with ghosts

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 Mae Nak Phra Khanong ( th, แม่นากพระโขนง, meaning 'Lady Nak of Phra Khanong'), or simply Mae Nak ( th, แม่นาก, 'Lady Nak') or Nang Nak ( th, นางนาก, 'Miss Nak'), is a well-known Thai ghost. Acc ...

shrine in Bangkok, that are quite important. Usually though, humbler

tutelary spirit A tutelary () (also tutelar) is a deity or a spirit who is a guardian, patron, or protector of a particular place, geographic feature, person, lineage, nation, culture, or occupation. The etymology of "tutelary" expresses the concept of safety and ...

s live in little dwellings known as ''san phra phum'' ( th, 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. Usually offerings to tree spirits are small things such as small food items, drinks,

incense stick Incense is aromatic biotic material that releases fragrant smoke when burnt. The term is used for either the material or the aroma. Incense is used for aesthetic reasons, religious worship, aromatherapy, meditation, and ceremony. It may also be ...

s 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. The ''mo phi'' ( th, หมอผี; ) or 'witch doctor' may invoke

spirits of the dead ''Spirits of the Dead'' (french: Histoires extraordinaires, lit=Extraordinary Tales, it, Tre passi nel delirio, lit=Three Steps to Delirium), also known as ''Tales of Mystery and Imagination'', is a 1968 horror anthology film comprising three ...

. 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 Yantra () (literally "machine, contraption") is a geometrical diagram, mainly from the Tantric traditions of the Indian religions. Yantras are used for the worship of deities in temples or at home; as an aid in meditation; used for the benefits ...

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.

Phya Anuman Rajadhon Phya Anuman Rajadhon ( th, พระยาอนุมานราชธน; , also spelled ''Phaya Anuman Rajadhon'' or ''Phrayā Anuman Rajadhon''; December 14, 1888 – July 12, 1969), was one of modern Thailand's most remarkable scholars. He ...

, ''Essays on Thai Folklore,'' Editions Duang Kamol, 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. 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 Kalasin ( th, กาฬสินธุ์, ) is one of Thailand's seventy-six provinces (''changwat''), located in upper northeastern Thailand, also called Isan. The province was established by the Act Establishing Changwat Kalasin, BE 2490 (194 ...

. 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 The baht (; th, บาท, ; currency sign, sign: ฿; ISO 4217, code: THB) is the official currency of Thailand. It is divided into 100 ''satang'' (, ). The issuance of currency is the responsibility of the Bank of Thailand. Society for Worldw ...

per house to hire an

exorcist In some religions, an exorcist (from the Greek „ἐξορκιστής“) is a person who is believed to be able to cast out the devil or performs the ridding of demons or other supernatural beings who are alleged to have possessed a person, ...

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 Leptospirosis is a blood infection caused by the bacteria ''Leptospira''. Signs and symptoms can range from none to mild (headaches, muscle pains, and fevers) to severe ( bleeding in the lungs or meningitis). Weil's disease, the acute, severe ...

( th, โรคฉี่หนู; ) and high blood pressure. ''

Phi Ta Khon Phi Ta Khon ( th, ผีตาโขน; phǐi taa khǒn; ) 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 med ...

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

Mae Nak Phra Khanong

The most famous ghost story in Thailand is the

. The story is associated with events that allegedly took place in the early-1800s, during the reign of

King Rama IV Mongkut ( th, มงกุฏ; 18 October 18041 October 1868) was the fourth monarch of Siam (Thailand) under the House of Chakri, titled Rama IV. He ruled from 1851 to 1868. His full title in Thai was ''Phra Bat Somdet Phra Menthora Ramathibod ...

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 GMM Tai Hub or GTH ( th, จีเอ็มเอ็ม ไท หับ or จีทีเอช) was a former film studio of the Thai entertainment conglomerate GMM Grammy. It was formed in 2003 by a merger between GMM Pictures, Tai Entertainme ...

. 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 The cinema of Thailand dates back to the early days of filmmaking, when King Chulalongkorn's 1897 visit to Bern, Switzerland was recorded by François-Henri Lavancy-Clarke. The film was then brought to Bangkok, where it was exhibited. This sparke ...

began popularizing the ghosts and legends of the folklore of Thailand in the 20th century. Ghosts of the local tradition appeared in

horror movie Horror is a film genre that seeks to elicit fear or disgust in its audience for entertainment purposes. Horror films often explore dark subject matter and may deal with transgressive topics or themes. Broad elements include monsters, apoca ...

s, as well as in side-roles in mainstream movies. Phraya Anuman Rajadhon established that most of the contemporary

iconography Iconography, as a branch of art history, studies the identification, description and interpretation of the content of images: the subjects depicted, the particular compositions and details used to do so, and other elements that are distinct fro ...

of Thai folk ghosts has its origins in Thai films that have now become

classic A classic is an outstanding example of a particular style; something of lasting worth or with a timeless quality; of the first or highest quality, class, or rank – something that exemplifies its class. The word can be an adjective (a ''c ...

s have contributed to popularize the ghost theme. Some soap operas, such as ''

Raeng Ngao ''Raeng Ngao'' ( th, แรงเงา) is a Thai film and drama-revenge lakhon which has aired on Channel 3. Since 1986 the story proved popular and has been subject to four remakes. Synopsis The story revolves around a young woman named Mutt ...

'', include the folk ghosts of Thai culture interacting with the living. The ''Raeng Ngao'' story proved so popular that four

remake A remake is a film, television series, video game, song or similar form of entertainment that is based upon and retells the story of an earlier production in the same medium—e.g., a "new version of an existing film". A remake tells the same ...

s 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

computer animated Computer animation is the process used for digitally generating animations. The more general term computer-generated imagery (CGI) encompasses both static scenes (still images) and dynamic images (moving images), while computer animation refer ...

movies, such as ''Nak'', and

animated cartoon Animation is a method by which still figures are manipulated to appear as moving images. In traditional animation, images are drawn or painted by hand on transparent celluloid sheets to be photographed and exhibited on film. Today, most anima ...

s.Nang Nak Kab 3 Puan
/ref>

References

External links

*
Ghosts in Thai CultureThai popular spiritsSimple Terrorsภาพยนตร์ไทยเรื่อง ตำนานกระสือ เปิดตำนานโดย บิณฑ์ บันลือฤทธิ์Thai movies with trailersThai horror movies
{{Ghosts Thai ghosts,