33. Spirit Houses

  Throughout Thailand you will see these houses at every home, everywhere, literally.

Most Thai people who reside in their own house have a Spirit House, usually placing it in the corner of their property. According to tradition, the spirit house must not fall in the shadow of the main structure.If you look carefully inside the spirit house, you’ll observe small human or animal figurines – in most cases, the human figurines are dressed up in Thai outfits. Some of the Spirit Houses are fully furnished with fixtures such as miniature tables, chairs, paintings and the like. Sometimes draped with flower garlands, most Spirit Houses have small balconies where flower vases, incense holders and candle sticks are positioned.

Spirit worship in Thailand is a very integral part of Thai Culture and is practiced by all segments of Thai society – from the very rich to the very poor. The Spirit House is the most prominent manifestation of Thai people’s traditional belief in the spirits. Many believe that spirits reside on the land, and if you build a house or a commercial structure, these spirits are displaced from their home.

In order to appease the spirits, a Spirit House is erected on the site to provide them a place to live. Daily offerings are made to the spirits – flowers, food, rice, and coins and sometime even cigarettes - in order to keep them happy. Frequent donations to the resident spirits of the Spirit House is believed to bring Good Luck!

 If they only knew Ecclesiastes 9:5 says.