Mr. Wanlop Damnuthai, a 33-year-old Thai engineer, was interviewed about his animist beliefs and practices in Thailand. He is Buddhist and visits the local temple regularly. He has a spirit house in his garden to protect his family from harm, which he visits monthly to chant and pray. There is also a spirit house at his workplace that employees visit annually for a company ceremony. Though he does not have a protective amulet, his father wears an old coin amulet given to him by a monk. He has never had experiences with ghosts but knows of a friend who saw and spoke to his dead brother's ghost as a child. He has visited astrologers for advice like good locations for

1. Hyohyun Lee
TSEA: Period 1
March 21, 2010
1
Interview on Animist Beliefs in Thailand
Name of person interviewed: Mr.Wanlop
Damnuthai
Occupation: Engineer
Age: 33
Language in which interview was
conducted: English (a little Thai)
Date of interview: March 20, 2010
Place of interview: Thai Samsung
Electronics Company in Pattaya
1. Are you a Buddhist? What are some things you do to practice your religion?
Yes, I am. I go to temple when I have a chance such as Buddhist Sabbath (We call it “Wan-Phra”
or my birthday.
2. Is there a sprit house at your home? Why? (Why not?)
Yes. In order to protect me and my family from bad things, it was built in a garden of my home.
3. How often do you visit it? What do you do there? (Does someone else visit it?)
I visit it four times or more a month. (every “Wan-Phra” or special day) I chant and pray to spirit
there to protect me from something bad.
4. Is there a spirit house at your place of work? Why? (Why not?)
Yes, there is. There is one spirit house at the main gate of my company for ceremony and
employees.
5. How often do you visit it? What do you do there? (What do others do there?)
I visit it once a year. I and other employees go there when our company has the annual ceremony.
6. Do you have an amulet? Why? (Why not?) If you have one, do you wear it? When?
I do not have it, but my father has one. It is an old coin that he got from a monk. He believes that
it can protect his family.
7. Have you ever had an experience with a ghost? What happened?
Never. It was always a dream. And I barely remember what happened in dream.
8. Do you know anyone else who has had an experience with a ghost? What happened?
Yes, I do. One of my friends had an experience with a ghost when he was young. He said that he
used to see and talk with his brother after his brother was dead.
9. Have you ever been to an astrologer? What advice did you ask for? What did he tell you?
Yes, I have. I used to visit an astrologer when I tried to buy a new house. And he provided me
with a good place and location to buy.

2. Hyohyun Lee
TSEA: Period 1
March 21, 2010
2
10. Have you ever been to a ceremony to rid a house of bad spirits? If so, please describe the
ceremony.
No, I haven’t. However, I saw it many times on TV program. There are several types of sprits in
Thailand. One of a spirit is ogre (We call it “pee-pop”). Ogres live in human body and control the
people who are under themselves.
11. Have you even been to a “bai sri” (bai see) ceremony or a “sai sin” ceremony? If so, please
describe it. What is the purpose of the ceremony?
Yes, I have. I have experienced those ceremonies many times. Its purpose is to invite and to tell
spirit to know about good things such as promotion, or marriage. It is a long tradition from
generation to generation. Generally, the ceremony holds in Isan and the north of Thailand.
12. Do you have a tattoo? Do you know anyone who has a tattoo? Why did you (or the person
you know) get one?
No, I don’t. However, many of my friends got it. The purpose of tattoo is different, but most of
my friends believe that their tattoo can protect their life or body from weapon.