House Spirit

A House Spirit in Thailand lives in a Spirit House called San Phra Phum. Thais believe that when they build a house they will disturb the resident House Spirit so they give them a new Spirit House and ensure that the House Spirit will have ample sustenance. Offerings of food and drink are usually made daily and Thais treat these Spirit Houses with great respect.

The Spirit House (San Phra Phum) is very common in Thailand. The Spirit House is a small elevated model house, a little like a doll's house, often richly decorated with many tiny model animals inside and around them . They have a small platform or table on which offerings to the Spirits are placed and can be seen in many gardens and outside shops and other businesses. Spirit worship ( Animism) was widely practiced in Asia and with the coming of Buddhism some of these beliefs became intermingled.

There are several reasons why these Spirit House are erected. It is also believed that some Spirits will look after the house and ensure the well being or prosperity of the owner.