Thaii people in the Northeast call food abstention (food) kalam1. Although it
wass more widely recognized in the past than today, the practice of food kalam is still
mentionedd and observed by the present generation women. Eating wrong food is
traditionallyy believed to be a primary cause of phit kaboon. This belief is rather strong
amongg the women who deliver at home, observe the yoo fai ritual or ever experienced
phitphit kaboon. However, for those who have never had such experiences, many