1. Ayaka Nishimura
2009/10/04
TSEA Period 7
Interview on Amunist Beliefs in Thailand
Name of person interviewed: Pinnapoha Mueangchan Nickname: Pia
Occupation: Maid Age: 60
Relationship to the interviewer: maid working at my house
Language in which interview was conducted: English and Thai
Data of interview: 2009/10/04 Place of interview: at my house
1. Are you a Buddhist? What are some things you do to practice your religion?
-Yes, I am a Buddhist. Some things I do to practice my religion is to visit spirit
house and temple to pray, and believe teaches of Buddhism (believe what they
say).
2. Is there a spirit house at your home? Why?
-Yes, because a spirit house keeps home and family safe. The ghost (spirit)
protects the home. After someone in your home died, their spirit will protect
home too.
3. How often do you visit it? What do you do there? (Does someone else visit it?)
-Since I do not live in my house (because my house is in country side), I visit it
once a month. Because I believe that spirits protect us, I pray about safety and
happiness of my family and myself to it. I also enshrine some foods, drinks,
flowers and incense stick. My family members visit it too.
4. Is there a spirit house at your place of work? Why?
-Yes, because spirit house keeps the apartment safe. The ghost (spirit) protects
the apartment and people who live here.
5. How often do you visit it? What do you there? (What do others do there?)
-I visit there once a week on religious day. There, I pray about safety and
happiness of my family and myself to it. Others also pray to it, and also they
enshrine some foods, drinks, flowers and incense stick.

2. 6. Do you have an amulet? Why? If you have one, do you wear it? When?
-yes I have, because it protects me. I do not wear it at work, but I wear it when
I go to out side of Bangkok (Chiangmai or Skhothai etc.).
7. Have you ever had an experience with a ghost? Did you feel scary?
-Yes, I have had an experience with a ghost. It is 3 years ago I invited 2 people
to my house. When they came and I opened the door, there were 3 people
standing there. I did not know who the person was, but I just take them into
my house. However, when I turned to them, there were just 2 people who I
invited before. So, I asked them “Where is the other guy?” then they answered
“We came here just 2 of us.” That day, my cousin dies.
-I did not feel scary, because it is my cousin’s spirit, and I thought he just came
to say good-bye. He wanted to see me before he dies.
8. Do you know anyone else who has had an experience with a ghost? What
happened?
-Yes, one of my friends has had an experience with a ghost. She was possessed
by an evil spirit, and she often had headache and fall down suddenly. So, she
went to see the person who can purify that spirit.
9. Have you ever been to an astrologer? What advice did you ask for? What did he tell
you?
-It is long time ago, but yes. I asked about my future life because I was worried
about it but I did not want to tell it to people who are close to me. He told me
about my future about job, family, and lover. I did not believe him, but I was
happy to know about it.
10. Have you ever been to a ceremony to rid a house of bad spirits?
-No, I have never been to a ceremony to rid a house of bad spirits.
11. Have you ever been to a “bai sri” ceremony or a “sai sin” ceremony? If so, please
describe it. What is the purpose of the ceremony?
-Yes I have been to a bai sri ceremony. It is a ceremony to protect people’s
spirit and make them happy. The purpose of the ceremony is to ease fear we
have and to be strong and happy.

3. 12. Do you have a tattoo? Do you know anyone who has a tattoo?
-No, I do not have a tattoo, but I know someone who has is. Why did he get one
is because tattoo can protect his body from ghost or bad things. He has a tattoo
of sutra of his religion.