Shelter for the spirits

Despite Bangkok being a modern, cosmopolitan city with skyscrapers, an excellent skytrain and underground system and mega-malls that cater to a consumerism culture like those of most large cities, it’s still full of surprises that give it its own unique edge.

One of the sights one cannot fail to see when out on a stroll are the spirit houses. These spirit houses are common throughout Thailand (as they are throughout many South-Asian countries) and can be found outside almost every house and building. We have one in the garden of our apartment building.

These doll house-sized homes are set atop a pedestal and placed in an auspicious location, which allows residents, workers and others to offer prayers and small gifts to appease spirits, often represented by doll-sized figures or even zebras! Here is another spirit house at our local market.

Note the votive offer of fizzy drinks as well as incense! These houses offer shelter for the spirits who can cause problems for the living if not appeased. I suppose it's not dissimilar to the idea of having roadside shrines of the saints which can be seen in France and Ireland etc. which offer a chance for prayer and protection to the passing traveller.

It's moving to see the daily worship and prayer take place at these spirit houses and shrines on the streets.  A few weeks back, I even saw a massive statue of Buddha on the back of a pick-up truck driven by two monks! They appeared to be stopping in different parts of the street to allow passing pedestrians the chance to pause for a moment of prayer and offering. Such are the many sights one sees on the way to work!