Halloween may not be an original Thai holiday, but Thai culture has a long and rich history of belief in ghosts (ผี — phěe) and spirits (วิญญาณ — wīn-yāan). From local folktales (ตำนาน — dtām-nāan) passed down through generations to sacred shrines scattered across the country, spirits are an important part of everyday life in Thailand. People respect them, make offerings, and share stories about them — especially during certain festivals, temple ceremonies, or when honouring ancestors. These beliefs are woven into Thai daily life, from the way houses are built to the rituals performed before starting new ventures, ensuring that spirits are treated with care and respect.
Thai ghosts and spirits come in many forms, each with their own stories, characteristics, and sometimes even lessons for the living. Some are mischievous and play tricks, while others are protective, watching over homes, temples, or communities. Learning about these spirits can give fascinating insight into Thai culture, as well as enrich your Thai vocabulary in a fun and seasonal way.
This Halloween, as you enjoy costumes and candy, why not take a moment to explore the mysterious and intriguing world of Thai ghosts? Let’s look at some well-known Thai ghosts and sprits:
ผีกระสือ (phěe grà-sěu) — The Flyng Head Ghost
This spirit is said to possess women, usually an older woman who becomes the host. In traditional stories, ผีกระสือ (phěe grà-sěu) appears as an ordinary woman during the day, going about her normal life. But at night, when the spirit’s cravings become too strong to control, her head detaches from her body, along with her internal organs — liver, intestines, and stomach — floating through the air as it searches for food. Meanwhile, the host’s body remains behind at home, completely lifeless and vulnerable.
The floating head of ผีกระสือ (phěe grà-sěu) drifts through the night, glowing faintly as it searches for raw food — often said to suck blood from animal or feast on flesh and waste. The spirit must return to its body before the first light of dawn; if it fails to do so, it will perish.
In many Thai folktales, villagers believe that if someone finds the abandoned body and destroys it, the ผีกระสือ (phěe grà-sěu) will never be able to return. Trapped between worlds, the spirit becomes restless, forever wandering in darkness.
ผีกระหัง (phěe grà-hǎng) — The Flying Rice-Mortar Ghost
While ผีกระสือ (phěe grà-sěu) drifts through the night with her glowing head and entrails, ผีกระหัง (phěe grà-hǎng) is her male counterpart — a spirit just as eerie, but with a very different twist.
According to Thai folklore, ผีกระหัง (phěe grà-hǎng) is said to be a man who practices dark magic or black arts and ends up cursed. He grows wings made from ใบกล้วย (bāi glûay = banana leaves) and flies around the village at night searching for food — usually something filthy or rotten, like scraps or faeces. Villagers believe that ผีกระหัง (phěe grà-hǎng) makes a strange flapping sound as he flies, caused by the banana leaves beating in the air.
Some say ผีกระหัง (phěe grà-hǎng) was once a greedy monk who broke his spiritual code. Others tell that he’s an ordinary man punished for dabbling in forbidden knowledge — forever doomed to roam the night skies, hungry and restless.
ผีปอบ (phěe bpàwb) — The Spirit That Eats from Within
Among Thailand’s many ghostly tales, ผีปอบ (phěe bpàwb) is perhaps the one that lives closest to home — not in dark forests or haunted temples, but right inside the village.
According to Thai belief, ผีปอบ (phěe bpàwb) is a spirit that possesses a person, feeding on their flesh and entrails from the inside out. The person might look normal by day — calm, quiet, maybe a little pale — but at night, the spirit takes over. It hungers for raw meat, blood, or even human organs.
Villagers often say that a ปอบ (bpàwb) can be passed down through generations or transferred by witchcraft. Some believe it’s the spirit of a person who once practiced ไสยศาสตร์ (sǎi-yá-sàad = black magic) but failed to control it, and the energy turned against them. Others say it’s born from jealousy, greed, or resentment — emotions that rot the soul until the darkness consumes the body.
When ผีปอบ (phěe bpàwb) is exposed, people in the village perform rituals to drive it away — sometimes with sacred threads, holy water, and Buddhist chants. But fear often lingers. No one wants to sit next to the one rumoured to be possessed.
ผีตายโหง (phěe dtāai hǒong) — The Restless Spirits of Sudden Death
In Thai belief, ผีตายโหง (phěe dtāai hǒong) refers to the spirits of those who died suddenly, violently, or before their time. Unlike peaceful deaths, which allow the spirit to move on, a ตายโหง (dtāai hǒong) death leaves the soul lost —trapped between worlds, still clinging to the pain of its final moments.
These are the ghosts born from tragedy: car accidents, drownings, murders, suicides — lives that ended in shock and fear. Because their deaths were abrupt and without spiritual preparation, their souls are believed to wander restlessly, bound to the place where they died.
You’ll often hear people say certain spots — a sharp curve on the road, a riverbank, or an abandoned house — are haunted by ผีตายโหง (phěe dtāai hǒong). Offerings like rice, flowers, or incense are sometimes left nearby, not out of worship, but out of compassion — to acknowledge the spirit and help it find peace.
What make ผีตายโหง (phěe dtāai hǒong) especially powerful in Thai folklore is its emotional energy. These ghosts are filled with confusion, sorrow, and anger. But beneath the fear, there’s also empathy — because anyone’s fate could change in an instant.
ผีตายทั้งกลม (phěe dtāai tháng glōm) — The Spirit of a Mother and Her Unborn Child
Among the many spirits in Thai folklore, ผีตายทั้งกลม (phěe dtāai tháng glōm) carries a deep sense of sorrow. This term refers to the ghost of a woman who died while pregnant — her soul, and that of her unborn child, are believed to remain bound together.
In Thai belief, deaths connected to pregnancy or childbirth are considered especially tragic because two lives are lost at once. This spirit is said to linger, filled with longing and unfulfilled maternal love. She may appear weeping, protecting her unborn baby, or haunting the place where she once lived.
Sometime, ผีตายทั้งกลม (phěe dtāai tháng glōm) is seen as both frightening and heart-wrenching — her emotions are powerful, her attachment to the world still strong. In some folktales, she returns not to harm, but to seek connection — to watch over loved ones or to complete what was left unfinished.
Traditionally, monks or spiritual healers perform special ceremonies to help her soul and the baby’s soul move peacefully to the next life. Offering of flowers, incense, and prayers are made to express compassion rather than fear.
Behind the haunting image lies a deep truth about Thai spirituality — even in death, love remains a force that binds. ผีตายทั้งกลม (phěe dtāai tháng glōm) is not just a ghost story; she’s a reflection of tenderness, pain, and enduring love that connect the living and the departed.
One of the most famous examples of this kind of spirit is แม่นาคพระโขนง (mâe nâak phrá-khà-hnǒong) — a woman who died in childbirth while waiting for her husband to return from war. Her love was so strong that even after death, her spirit continued to live in their home, caring for her husband and pretending nothing had changed. When he finally discovered the truth, she couldn’t let him go. Her story is both chilling and deeply touching — showing how love, when bound by attachment, can transcend even death itself. Today, Mae Nak is honoured at Wat Mahabut in Bangkok, where people come to pay respect, make offering, and ask for blessings in love and family matters.
ผีเปรต (phěe bpràed) — The Spirit of Suffering and Karma
Among all the spirits in Thai folklore, ผีเปรต (phěe bpràed) is perhaps the most haunting — not just in appearance, but in meaning. These are not simply ghosts; they are souls suffering from the heavy weight of their past actions.
In Buddhist belief, เปรต (bpràed) are beings reborn into a state of torment because of greed, anger, or selfishness in their previous lives. Their punishment mirrors their deeds — and so, เปรต (bpràed) are often described as towering figures with thin, skeletal bodies, enormous bellies, and tiny mouths. No matter how much they crave food or water, they can never be satisfied.
Their cries echo through the night, not to scare, but to remind the living of the dangers of desire and wrongdoing. In some stories, เปรต (bpràed) appear to their living relatives, begging for merit — for someone to make offerings, chant prayers, or perform good deeds in their name, so they may finally be freed from suffering.
ผีบ้านผีเรือน (phěe bâan phêe rēuan) — The Guardian Spirit of Home and Harmony
While some Thai ghosts are feared, others are cherished and respected. ผีบ้านผีเรือน (phěe bâan phêe rēuan) — also known as เจ้าที่เจ้าทาง (jâo thêe jâo thāang) — are household guardian spirits — are household guardian spirits believed to watch over the home, the land, and everyone living there.
In Thai tradition, every home has its own spirit that dwells nearby, usually honoured through a ศาลตายาย (sǎan dtāa-yāai) or a small spirit house. You’ll often see these shrines standing proudly outside homes, shops, and even tall buildings. Offering of flowers, incense, candles, water, and food are placed there daily to invite the spirit’s blessings and to keep harmony within the household.
ผีบ้านผีเรือน (phěe bâan phêe rēuan) are not ghosts to fear — they are guardians of balance, gratitude, and protection. When treated with respect, they bring peace, safety, and prosperity. But if neglected or forgotten, it’s said they may cause small disturbances — things going missing, strange noises, or simply an uneasy feeling — gentle signs reminding the residents to restore the relationship and show respect.
These spirits are deeply woven into Thai life and spirituality. From the way houses are built to the day families move in, special ceremonies are performed to ask permission and invite the guardian spirit to bless the home.
กุมารทอง (gù-māan-thāwng) — The Beloved Spirit Child
Among the many spirits in Thai belief, กุมารทอง (gù-māan-thāwng) holds a special and fascinating place. Unlike fearsome ghosts, กุมารทอง (gù-māan-thāwng) is seen as a protective spirit — a little boy spirit that brings luck, protection, and guidance to the person who cares for him.
The name กุมารทอง (gù-māan-thāwng) literally means ‘golden boy’. In ancient Thai stories, กุมารทอง (gù-māan-thāwng) was believed to be the spirit of a child who passed away before birth. Through sacred rituals, monks or spiritual practitioners would invite the child’s spirit to reside within a statue or figure — often a small golden boy image — to give it a home and purpose.
Those who care for a กุมารทอง (gù-māan-thāwng) treat him with love and respect, like a family member. They offer food, toys, sweets, and even talk to him daily. In return, it’s believed the spirit brings good fortune, warns of danger, and helps protect the household.
Over time, this belief evolved — many Thais today keep modern กุมารทอง (gù-māan-thāwng) or amulets not out of fear, but from faith in the spirit’s benevolence and the bond between the human and spiritual worlds. What makes กุมารทอง (gù-māan-thāwng) so unique is that he embodies a gentle relationship between people and spirits — one built not on fear, but on care, trust, and mutual respect.
นางตะเคียน (nāang dtà-khīan) — The Spirit of the Sacred Tree
Among the spirits in Thai folklore, นางตะเคียน (nāang dtà-khīan) is one of the most enchanting. She is believed to inhabit large, ancient trees, especially the ตะเคียน (dtà-khīan) tree, which is considered sacred.
According to tradition, นางตะเคียน (nāang dtà-khīan) is a female spirit who protects the tree and the land around it. She may appear to people as a beautiful woman, often dressed in traditional Thai clothing, or sometimes as a mysterious presence felt by those nearby. Villagers and travellers leave offering — flowers, incense, and small gifts — to show respect, seek blessings, or ask for good luck.
Stories of นางตะเคียน (nāang dtà-khīan) often remind people to live in harmony with nature. Cutting down a tree without permission or disrespecting her spirit can bring misfortune, while showing respect can bring protection, prosperity, and guidance.
For many Thais, นางตะเคียน (nāang dtà-khīan) isn’t a frightening spirit. Instead, she embodies the sacred connection between humans and the natural world, reminding us that the unseen world is always watching — and that respect and care go a long way in maintaining balance.
So, as you enjoy Halloween treats and costumes, remember that in Thailand, spirits aren’t always frightening. Some watch over us, some teach us, and some remind us to live with kindness — a magical way to celebrate the holiday with a uniquely Thai heart. Enjoy a spooky, safe, and enchanting Halloween night!
With all my heart, 💛 — Urai
Founder of Thai Language Tuition UK
You can also find my work at: uraikhomkham.com and shop.uraikhomkham.com
Join My newsletter
About Post Author
