Bangkok Haunt

03/10/2024

Some cool artwork to on display at the Book Expo Thailand Oct 10th-20th:
https://www.nationthailand.com/life/art-culture/40041783

03/10/2024

They say AI kills creativity. Whadda say?
Pictured here is 7-11's Halloween chocolate entry for 2024 ("Yummy Skeleton") vs last year's entry ("Thai Ghosts)." Fortunately, for us, many 7-11s carry both years.
I'm on the hunt for the 2022 entry.

22/09/2024

Sunday Morning Spirit House:
For what’s known in the spirit world as “September is for Spiritual Sharing,” I thought I’d share some interesting spirit houses that have been shared with me over the years.
Catherine has got a good eye for the more rustic and weathered spirit houses -- these from Chiang Rai.

14/07/2024

Sunday Morning Spirit House:
When the spiritual energies are running a little low, good to know there's aways a charger nearby.

02/06/2024

Sunday Morning Spirit House:
When the rainy season kicks in, everyone runs for cover.

26/05/2024

Sunday Morning Spirit House:
Another brick in the wall.

05/05/2024

Sunday Morning Spirit House:
When you've organized your desktop's loose files into folders.

17/03/2024

Sunday Morning Spirit House:
The angelic dancers wondered what spirits they had angered to cause a python to slither up through their toilet.
Fortunately, they soon discovered it was just a candle that had melted in the heavy Bangkok heat.

10/03/2024

Sunday Morning Spirit House:
Greyish, greenish wall.

15/01/2024

In most cases, Red Fanta (or other) sits at the base of a spirit house or revered tree with a plastic straw inserted. It's often wondered why a straw is included.
Many people question, "Do spirits really need a straw to sip?"
Well, we may finally have an answer. This article from "Thaiger," about a lucky tree in Rayong states, "Observers claim that when red water, a common offering, is presented, the liquid seems to be sucked up as if the spirits are fighting to consume it."

Rayong's legendary rubber trees, believed to be over 100 years old, are linked to numerous lottery wins, attracting curious individuals.

14/01/2024

Sunday Morning Spirit House:
Most New Year's Resolutions are along the lines of “More gym, lose weight, less sugar, less Facebook,” etc.
But for spirit houses, many people start off the year promising, “I’m going to give my spirits better offerings this year—no more incense, sweet drinks, and bottles of water.”
Here, someone has gifted their spirit house real giraffes.
2024 is looking good.

07/01/2024

Sunday Morning Spirit House:
Led Zeppelin’s inspiration for “Stairway to Heaven.”

31/10/2023

Happy Halloween as per this year’s 7-11 version of chocolate Thai ghosts.
While most living in Bangkok can identify Nang Tanee (upper left) and Kuman Thong (upper right) the ghost in the lower left is causing confusion. While Phi Krasue will often be seen floating headless, this piece of chocolate is more in line with The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and the Headless Horseman, no? I’m not certain we’ve ever seen an image of Phi Krasue holding her own head.
And the skeleton head on the lower right is really more of a skeleton than a ghost, so perhaps a lost chocolate opportunity considering the number of Thai ghosts?

17/09/2023

Sunday Morning Spirit House:
When the monsoon season hits, it's too late to re-think your choice of roofing materials.

30/07/2023

Sunday Morning Spirit House:
Symbols of exceptional good luck:
4 leaf clovers, upwards horseshoe, white elephant, number 7, rabbit's foot, a monk passing through your neighborhood, a dreamcatcher, and of course, finding a plot of land that comes with not 1, but 2 spirit houses.
#ศาลพระภูมิ #ผี

16/07/2023

Sunday Morning Spirit House:
This past week in Thailand was a big week.
Here, the spirit house decor are waving:
But what are they waving to?
a.) Good-bye to a chance of democracy?
b.) Good-bye to resigned PM Prayut?
c.) Good-bye to a feeling of individual empowerment?
d.) Other?
#ศาลพระภูมิ #ผี

25/06/2023

Sunday Morning Spirit House:
On Monday, June 26th, an earthquake of 6.0 magnitude hit the southern coastal region Myanmar resulting in some trembling, shaking, and rolling in Thailand.
The aftermath:
Fortunately, no casualties except 2 bottles of Red Fanta.
#ผี #ศาลพระภูมิ

28/05/2023

Sunday Morning Spirit House:
The Spiritual Pantone color wheel.
#ผี #ศาลพระภูมิ

21/05/2023

Sunday Morning Spirit House:
Would appear that the angelic dancers are running for safety when both a white tiger and a cobra show up outside their home.
#ศาลพระภูมิ #ผี

14/05/2023

Sunday Morning Spirit House:
Election Day:
Thailand limps to the voting polls with graffiti on the walls, neglected plants, rubbish in the streets, and spirit houses kept in the dark.
Will there be change?

07/05/2023

Sunday Morning Spirit House:
Last week, a tourist made news by placing a Barbie doll on spirit house in Chiang Mai. Both admired and questioned for doing so according to the article on Thaiger, it's not the first time larger dolls have been placed at a spirit house.
Perhaps the mistake she made was placing the Barbie on the house, taking a quick shot, and then removing the doll.
As detailed in the movie "Ghost House," you never want to offer something valuable to a spirit house and then remove it.
https://thethaiger.com/.../spirit-or-dolls-house-foreign.

30/04/2023

Sunday Morning Spirit House:
Quick reminder - May the 4th is Thursday.
All of Thailand's ills (traffic congestion, corruption, poor air quality, slow walkers, wine taxes, escalator blockers, phone zombies) will disappear if we offer-up Star Wars characters to our spirit houses.

23/04/2023

Sunday Morning Spirit House:
Balinese Edition.
Nice, and the Circle K next door had a special on natural, volcanic spring water, but where do I place it?

16/04/2023

Sunday Morning Spirit House:
How’s Thailand’s air-quality?
The bottle on the left was placed this morning. The others at various points throughout the week.

09/04/2023

Sunday Morning Spirit House:
Easter colors bold enough to shine through despite the smoggy air quality.