ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Ghosts in Thai culture

Okay, so you know how sometimes when people die, we cannot see or touch them anymore because they become spirits? Well, in Thai culture, people believe that when someone dies, their spirit can still linger around on earth. These spirits are called "phi" or "pee" and they are often thought of as ghosts.

Thai people believe that these ghosts can be good or bad, just like people can be good or bad. Some ghosts are thought to be helpful and protective, while others can be mischievous or even harmful. That's why Thai people may do things like offer food, flowers, or candles to appease a ghost that they believe wants to hurt them. They believe that by giving these offerings, the ghost will be satisfied and will leave them alone.

In Thai culture, there are many different kinds of ghosts that people believe in. Some of the most common ones include the phi pob (which is a ghost of a woman who died during childbirth), the phi krasue (which is a ghost with a head that floats around in the air attached to trailing organs) and the phi am (which is a ghost of somebody who has died suddenly or by violent means). These ghosts are often depicted in movies and TV shows, and Thai people grow up hearing stories about them from their parents and grandparents.

Overall, ghosts are a big part of Thai culture, and many people believe that they have the power to influence our daily lives. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, they continue to be an important part of Thai traditions and beliefs.