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Thai Spirit Houses
I have become fascinated with the Thai ‘spirit houses’ I see all over Thailand.
Some are colorful and made of cement; others are intricately carved in teak wood. In present-day Siam, animistic rituals are still overtly practiced and given the fact that spirits are ubiquitously surrounding us, the miniature spirit dwellings are seen everywhere. They are typically set out in the outer corners of residential high-rise buildings, outside of commercial properties, in the backyards of private homes, and in shops, too. Even taxi drivers surround themselves with small replicas or altars on their dashboards. Spirits are invited to reside in these minute homes in order to protect the property and its residents.
These small models of Thai houses and Buddhist temples stand on pedestals on the grounds of most properties. They are present in single and multi-family homes in cities and throughout the countryside as well. Usually mounted on bamboo or stone bases, they rest in one corner of the lot. Spirit houses show up in new and old properties to encourage fortuity and deflect misfortune.
Spirit houses must be displayed predominantly in the garden and their shadow must never superimpose the main house.
The Thai people believe that spirits reside everywhere, in animate as well as in inanimate objects. Spirits inhabit our world and move freely in the same spaces as humans do. They are present in trees, rocks, the oceans, and the skies.
Once a home is built or a move to a new place is intended, a house for the spirits must also be brought in or constructed. We even bought one recently by the roadside that links the beach resort of Hua Hin to Bangkok. It now proudly and beautifully stands in our apartment’s foyer.
When Buddhism first grasped the land of Siam over 2500 years ago, animism or spirit worship, had been experienced extensively all through the region, expanding right alongside ancient spirit beliefs. Today, animistic convictions in the spirits that reside in sacred dead trees, animals or people have been greatly fused with Buddhism.
In order to appease spirits, Thais make offerings of flower garlands, incense, candles and food placing them inside and outside the spirit houses; they also sprinkle holy water obtained from monks; and place figurines inside the small dwellings to represent the residents of the bigger houses, thus bringing harmony and happiness between them. Our own American Embassy compound in Bangkok contains a beautiful and elaborate spirit house on its premises.
Thai Buddhism and animism seem to be inseparable, much the same as pagan practices seem indivisible in Christianity (Christmas tree). In Thailand, Buddhism has progressed side by side with an ancient array of superstitions to explain nature, thecosmos, and the unexplainable. Religion is at the core of Thai culture; it gives life to all traditions, social systems, art and literature of the nation.
Bangkok for instance, is a busy, dangerous and overpopulated metropolis; people need all kinds of protection, security and precautions to lead their lives. The phrase ‘it’s a jungle out there’ never fit a place more accurately. Perpetual and erratic traffic patterns; holes and uneven pavement on streets and almost non-existent sidewalks obstruct pedestrians from walking safely in a congestion of exhaust fumes, motorcycles, small vans, smoke spewing buses and dangerous overhead wiring connections making life a perilous daily reality. Protection is greatly needed and the spirit world is ready to provide that security. Nearly every Thai home, business company or shop includes a spirit house on their premises and daily offerings are always available.
Finding comfort and security in a world of spirits is necessary; the Thais live primarily to truly enjoy (sanuk) present life but at the same time, they aim to live it with decorum, good behavior and self control as these are superior principles in the attainment of final enlightenment.
Believing in reincarnation means that each individual's karma (destiny) determines their fate; an old Thai proverb says ‘Do good and receive good, do evil and that is what you will get”. 
By leading a superior life and observing the 5 important teachings -- helping the poor; kindness towards others; donations to monks on their early morning rounds; contributing to the temple and meditation -- attaining enlightenment becomes possible. I also just learned that merit can be transferred to others if people wish to.
The belief that spirits inhabit everything that surrounds us provides contentment and comfort to the majority who by ‘making merit’ along the way -- in the manner of good deeds to others and offerings to the spirits, the monks and the Buddha -- will unquestionably afford enhanced spiritual enlightenment and immortality of the soul.
Monks get the highest merit points because they have accepted life in poverty, their only possessions being their robes, food bowl, a bag, a hand paper fan and an umbrella.
In all probability, believers of animism seek to make sense of natural disasters and a violent world; appeasing the spirits with material offerings provides them with a refuge and a passage to level-headedness and tranquility.
By Edie Wilcox@ March 2006
I have become fascinated with the Thai ‘spirit houses’ I see all over Thailand.
Some are colorful and made of cement; others are intricately carved in teak wood. In present-day Siam, animistic rituals are still overtly practiced and given the fact that spirits are ubiquitously surrounding us, the miniature spirit dwellings are seen everywhere. They are typically set out in the outer corners of residential high-rise buildings, outside of commercial properties, in the backyards of private homes, and in shops, too. Even taxi drivers surround themselves with small replicas or altars on their dashboards. Spirits are invited to reside in these minute homes in order to protect the property and its residents.
These small models of Thai houses and Buddhist temples stand on pedestals on the grounds of most properties. They are present in single and multi-family homes in cities and throughout the countryside as well. Usually mounted on bamboo or stone bases, they rest in one corner of the lot. Spirit houses show up in new and old properties to encourage fortuity and deflect misfortune.
Spirit houses must be displayed predominantly in the garden and their shadow must never superimpose the main house.
The Thai people believe that spirits reside everywhere, in animate as well as in inanimate objects. Spirits inhabit our world and move freely in the same spaces as humans do. They are present in trees, rocks, the oceans, and the skies.
Once a home is built or a move to a new place is intended, a house for the spirits must also be brought in or constructed. We even bought one recently by the roadside that links the beach resort of Hua Hin to Bangkok. It now proudly and beautifully stands in our apartment’s foyer.
When Buddhism first grasped the land of Siam over 2500 years ago, animism or spirit worship, had been experienced extensively all through the region, expanding right alongside ancient spirit beliefs. Today, animistic convictions in the spirits that reside in sacred dead trees, animals or people have been greatly fused with Buddhism.
In order to appease spirits, Thais make offerings of flower garlands, incense, candles and food placing them inside and outside the spirit houses; they also sprinkle holy water obtained from monks; and place figurines inside the small dwellings to represent the residents of the bigger houses, thus bringing harmony and happiness between them. Our own American Embassy compound in Bangkok contains a beautiful and elaborate spirit house on its premises.
Thai Buddhism and animism seem to be inseparable, much the same as pagan practices seem indivisible in Christianity (Christmas tree). In Thailand, Buddhism has progressed side by side with an ancient array of superstitions to explain nature, thecosmos, and the unexplainable. Religion is at the core of Thai culture; it gives life to all traditions, social systems, art and literature of the nation.
Bangkok for instance, is a busy, dangerous and overpopulated metropolis; people need all kinds of protection, security and precautions to lead their lives. The phrase ‘it’s a jungle out there’ never fit a place more accurately. Perpetual and erratic traffic patterns; holes and uneven pavement on streets and almost non-existent sidewalks obstruct pedestrians from walking safely in a congestion of exhaust fumes, motorcycles, small vans, smoke spewing buses and dangerous overhead wiring connections making life a perilous daily reality. Protection is greatly needed and the spirit world is ready to provide that security. Nearly every Thai home, business company or shop includes a spirit house on their premises and daily offerings are always available.
Finding comfort and security in a world of spirits is necessary; the Thais live primarily to truly enjoy (sanuk) present life but at the same time, they aim to live it with decorum, good behavior and self control as these are superior principles in the attainment of final enlightenment.
Believing in reincarnation means that each individual's karma (destiny) determines their fate; an old Thai proverb says ‘Do good and receive good, do evil and that is what you will get”. 
By leading a superior life and observing the 5 important teachings -- helping the poor; kindness towards others; donations to monks on their early morning rounds; contributing to the temple and meditation -- attaining enlightenment becomes possible. I also just learned that merit can be transferred to others if people wish to.
The belief that spirits inhabit everything that surrounds us provides contentment and comfort to the majority who by ‘making merit’ along the way -- in the manner of good deeds to others and offerings to the spirits, the monks and the Buddha -- will unquestionably afford enhanced spiritual enlightenment and immortality of the soul.
Monks get the highest merit points because they have accepted life in poverty, their only possessions being their robes, food bowl, a bag, a hand paper fan and an umbrella.
In all probability, believers of animism seek to make sense of natural disasters and a violent world; appeasing the spirits with material offerings provides them with a refuge and a passage to level-headedness and tranquility.
By Edie Wilcox@ March 2006
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