Sawatdee! Welcome to Thailand, a country of dazzling temples, warm smiles, and a spiritual world that is never far from sight. Thai folk beliefs, or “Khwam Chuea”, are a beautiful and highly practical blend of deeply revered Theravada Buddhism and ancient Animism (the belief in nature spirits). Everywhere you look, you’ll see evidence of this: from the tiny, elaborate **Spirit Houses** (San Phra Phum) outside every building to the protective charms worn by taxi drivers. These beliefs govern how you treat monks, how you use your body, and how you attract luck and *merit* (karma). Knowing these unwritten rules isn’t just polite; it’s the key to understanding the Thai way of life.
Body, Respect, and Taboos (Khwam Keng Chai)
Pointing with Feet
The feet are considered the **lowest and dirtiest** part of the body. You must *never* point your foot at a person, a Buddha image, or a spirit house, as it is the ultimate insult.
Touching the Head
The head is considered the **most sacred** part, where the spirit resides. Do not touch *anyone’s* head, even playfully, and especially not a child’s.
Stepping on Money
Never step on Thai currency (Baht). It bears the image of the King, who is sacred. To step on it, even to stop it from blowing away, is a great sign of disrespect.
Monks and Women
A woman must *never* touch a monk. If a woman needs to pass something to a monk, she must place it on the ground or a cloth for him to pick up.
Lying Head to the West
You should *never* sleep with your head pointing toward the West. This is the direction in which the deceased are traditionally laid to rest before cremation.
Chopsticks in Rice
Do not stick chopsticks upright into a bowl of rice. This practice resembles incense sticks used in funerals and is a grave omen of death.
Giving a Knife as a Gift
Gifting a knife, sword, or other sharp object is believed to “cut” the friendship. If you must give one, ask the recipient for a coin in return to “buy” it.
Whistling at Night
Never whistle after sunset. Thai people believe whistling at night will **call bad spirits** (*phi*) or dangerous snakes to your home.
Sleeping Under a Beam
Sleeping directly under a wooden beam or pillar is believed to be very bad luck, as it will “crush” your fortune and prosperity.
Dreaming of Teeth Falling
Dreaming that your teeth are falling out is a universal bad omen, but in Thailand, it specifically means a close relative will soon die.
Stepping Over the Threshold
The threshold of a home (especially a traditional house) is considered the resting place of the house spirit. Always **step over it**, never on it.
Mirror Opposite the Bed
You should avoid placing a mirror directly facing your bed, as it can cause arguments with your partner or attract wandering spirits.
Cutting Nails at Night
Cutting your fingernails or toenails after dark is a traditional taboo. It is believed to shorten your lifespan or cause bad things to happen at night.
No Complimenting Babies
Never tell a parent their newborn is “cute” or “beautiful.” This attracts the jealousy of spirits or the Evil Eye, so you must say the baby is “ugly” to trick them.
No Counting Money at Night
It is bad luck to count large amounts of money late at night. It suggests you are greedy and can invite the spirit of poverty (*Phi Pop*).
Stepping Over People
Never step over a person, especially an older one. The feet are low, and the head is high; stepping over someone is a severe sign of disrespect.
The “Wai” (Greeting)
The traditional Thai *Wai* (hands pressed together) must be done correctly. The higher the hands are held, the more respect is shown to the person you are greeting.
“Kreng Jai” (Consideration)
This is less a superstition and more a cultural rule: always be extremely considerate of others’ feelings, or your bad karma will bring you shame.
Leaving Rice in the Bowl
Wasting rice is considered a minor sin, or bad luck. Rice is the staple of life and holds its own spiritual significance.
Dreaming of a Snake
Dreaming of a large snake or being chased by one is a common sign that you will soon meet your soulmate or get married.
Ghosts, Spirits, and the Afterlife (Phi)
The Spirit House (San Phra Phum)
Every building, old or new, must have a small, elaborate house built outside for the **Phra Phum** (guardian spirit of the land). Offerings must be made daily.
The “Phi” (Ghosts/Spirits)
The term for all ghosts and spirits. They are *always* around. You must respect them, or they will cause trouble, sickness, or even death.
The “Phi Pop” (Flesh-Eating Spirit)
A terrifying, mostly female spirit that possesses a person and makes them crave and eat raw meat and internal organs, bringing shame to the family.
The “Phi Kra-sue” (Floating Head)
A ghost of a beautiful woman whose head and organs detach and float away at night, looking for blood and foul things. She must be avoided at all costs.
The Female Tree Spirit (Nang Takian)
The spirit of a beautiful woman who lives in certain *Takian* trees. She can be angered if you disrespect her tree, but she can also bring lottery numbers to those she likes.
Avoid Talking about Death
You should *never* talk about death, sickness, or funerals while eating. If you must, say “Tfu, tfu, tfu” to push the bad words away.
The Owl’s Cry
Hearing an owl hooting near your home at night is a traditional omen of bad luck or a potential death in the neighborhood.
Cremation is Important
Because of Buddhism, the soul is not considered fully “released” until the body is cremated. An uncremated body risks becoming a malicious ghost (*Phi Tai Hong*).
Never Enter an Empty House
If a house has been empty for too long, it is believed to be filled with wandering spirits. A monk must perform a blessing (*Tham Boon*) before anyone moves in.
“Kuman Thong” (Golden Child)
A famous spirit-child amulet. They are believed to be the ghosts of dead infants who, if cared for, will bring luck, protect the home, and warn their owner of danger.
Making Merit (Tham Boon)
The daily act of doing good deeds (like giving food to monks) to accumulate positive karma is the most important “superstition” and protection against bad luck.
Looking at the Moon
In some rural beliefs, it is considered dangerous to stare directly at a full moon for too long, as it can cause sickness or madness.
Crossroads
Crossroads are dangerous places where spirits congregate. You should avoid lingering there at night, and offerings are often left to placate wandering ghosts.
Dog Howling
If a dog howls at the sky for a long time, it is believed to be howling at an unseen spirit or ghost passing by.
Candle Flame
A candle flame that flickers wildly or suddenly goes out without wind is a sign that a spirit has entered the room.
Luck, Prosperity, and Charms
The Lucky Buddha Amulet
Wearing a Buddha amulet is perhaps the most common superstition. Monks bless them for protection, luck, and to ward off danger. The more expensive, the more powerful.
Elephant Statues
The elephant is a revered, sacred animal. A small elephant statue should always face **inward** toward the door to bring fortune into the home.
Gecko’s Call
The “tok” sound of a gecko is an omen. Hearing it call 7, 9, or 11 times is usually good luck, but too many times in a row can be a warning.
Red Cloth in Construction
When a new house or shop is being built, a piece of red cloth is tied to the main pole to bring prosperity and scare away bad spirits.
Lucky Numbers
The number **9** is considered the luckiest number, associated with progression (*kao na*). You’ll see businesses and license plates seeking the number 9.
Unlucky Number
The number **6** and **7** can be unlucky in combination or on their own, often avoided for big decisions like wedding dates.
The House Cobra
Seeing a cobra in the house (especially a king cobra) is believed to be the *Phi* (spirit) of a deceased relative coming to visit, so you must not harm it.
Lucky Wrist Strings (Sai Sin)
White cotton strings (*Sai Sin*) are tied around the wrist by a monk or elder during a blessing ceremony to offer immediate protection and good fortune.
Amulets in the Car
Almost every taxi or truck has a garland of flowers, a Buddha amulet, or a protective talisman hanging from the rearview mirror for road safety.
Alms to Monks
Giving food (alms) to a monk in the morning is a very direct way to earn *merit* (positive karma), which brings immediate good luck and helps you in the next life.
The Main Pillar (Sao Ek)
The first and most important pillar erected when building a house is treated as sacred. A blessing ceremony is mandatory to ensure the house’s stability and fortune.
Itchy Nose
If your nose starts to itch, it means a friend or relative is thinking about you.
Ringing Ears
A ringing ear means someone is gossiping. Right ear: they are saying good things. Left ear: they are talking badly about you.
Gold Leaf on Buddha
Applying small squares of gold leaf to a Buddha statue is a popular form of *merit-making* believed to bring prosperity and a better life.
Giving an Empty Wallet
If you gift a wallet or a purse, you must place at least one coin inside. Gifting an empty one is considered a sign of poverty for the recipient.
New Home, Business, and Construction
New Home Cleansing
Before moving into a new home, a monk must be invited to perform a *Tham Boon* (Merit Making) ritual to bless the space and clear out any old, stagnant energy.
First Customer Ritual
Business owners often believe the first customer of the day sets the tone. They may perform a small prayer or ritual after the first sale to ensure a lucky day.
Feng Shui (Hongsui)
Many Thai-Chinese businesses rigorously follow Feng Shui principles, positioning doors, counters, and altars to maximize the flow of energy and wealth.
Offering the Spirit House
The *San Phra Phum* is always installed by a Brahmin priest on an astrologically determined day and time, and it must never be shaded by the main house.
The Unused Floor
If a house has a second floor, the ground floor is traditionally left bare or used for less important things, as the head should never be *under* the feet of others.
Uneven Number of Steps
Traditional houses should have an **odd number of steps** (5, 7, 9) leading up to the main door. Odd numbers symbolize growth and good luck.
Lucky Plants
Plants like the Money Plant (Pothos) or certain varieties of the Sansevieria are kept to invite wealth and protection.
The Coin Under the Pillar
Before the main pillar (Sao Ek) is erected, an offering of gold, silver, and coins is traditionally placed beneath it for permanent prosperity.
Snake in the House
Seeing a cobra in the house (especially a king cobra) is believed to be the *Phi* (spirit) of a deceased relative coming to visit, so you must not harm it.
Placing Offerings
You must never throw offerings to the spirit house on the ground. They must be placed neatly and with respect.
Festivals and Special Days
Songkran Water
The water thrown during *Songkran* (Thai New Year) is not just a party. It’s a symbolic washing away of the past year’s sins and bad luck.
Loy Krathong
Floating the *Krathong* (small boat with a candle) on the river is a ritual to apologize to the water spirit and to symbolically float away the past year’s bad karma.
Birthday Beforehand
You should never celebrate a birthday before the actual date. It is believed to bring bad luck or even shorten your life.
New Yearโs Cleansing
Many people clean their entire house, pay off debts, and resolve arguments before the official new year to ensure a fresh, lucky start.
Wearing White
Wearing white clothing during Buddhist holidays (like Visakha Bucha) is a sign of spiritual purity and shows dedication to making *merit*.
Monkey Buffet
The Monkey Buffet Festival in Lopburi is not just fun; itโs an offering to the local monkeys, who are seen as descendants of the Hindu god Hanuman.
The Erawan Shrine
This famous shrine in Bangkok (dedicated to the Hindu God Brahma) is visited by locals daily to pray for success, love, and luck, often leaving offerings of fruit and teak elephants.
Lucky Day for Marriage
Weddings are traditionally planned only after a monk or an astrologer selects an *auspicious* (lucky) date and time for the ceremony.
Uneven Number of Monks
When inviting monks to a house blessing or wedding, the number must always be an **odd number** (3, 5, 7, or 9) for good luck.