Spirits of the Land

Have you ever wondered about the little house standing on a pole at local people's houses or shops in Thailand?

A spirit house or San Phra Phum is a shrine to the protective spirit; we believe that there are guardian spirits everywhere. It is believed that they influence the future, grant wishes and keep people healthy. The spirit of the land expects to be informed if a building is to be built or a business started and normally placed in an auspicious spot, most often in a corner of the property and if the humans do not ask permission, the spirit may cause the venture to fail.

In San Pra Phum, these spirits are wandering spirits, and you will find Pra Chai Mongkol, an angel-like figure, often gilded and holding a sword in one hand and a bag of money in the other.

Another spirit house is for the lord of the land San Jao Tee, created in memory of people from the past, and that often include figures of an elderly man and woman.

Sarn Phra Phrom (Brahm) is more related to larger buildings such as hotels and office blocks. This has an open-sided "house" and is home to Brahma, the Hindu God of creation, and displays the faces of kindness, impartiality, sympathy and mercy from its four sides. It's also believed that each side of Phra Phrom offers different blessings.

Anything people need in life, the spirit needs as well. Symbolically, horses and elephants provide transportation and dancers entertain the spirit. Each day people place flowers, incense and food as offerings to the spirits to keep them in good humour.

At Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, every Tuesday at about 8:00 am guests are invited to join Spiritual Enlightenment at the Spirit House to understand the Thai culture of the spirit house.

A few tips:

• Never put your feet on any religious item, such as spirit houses or statues.     
• Don’t touch or rearrange items in the house to suit your photo.