I have been curious for a while about the customs and rules for having a Spirit house. When I moved to Hua Hin I decided to purchase a traditional Wooden Spirit house from Petchaburi for about 2500 THB after pleading from my Mother that she wanted one. I purchased one but I am sure I have gone the wrong way about it, especially since my neighbor Khun Noi immediately moved the Spirit House from where I put it outside my house. I wanted to know what the do’s and don’ts and I hope some of the information below might be of some interest.
Spirit houses are small building which looks like a miniature Thai house or Buddhist temple standing on a column or stand and can be found outside most houses, restaurants, businesses and hotels in Thailand.
Spirit Worship or Animism started in ancient days before Buddhism when the Tai’s migrated from northern Vietnam to all parts of the Southeast Asian region. Now Animism has developed side by side with Buddhism. Today many of the old animistic beliefs are intertwined with Buddhism, one of these which is practiced by every Thai is the Spirit House. You can even find Spirit Houses close to Buddhist temples.