Belief in ghosts in Thai culture is both popular and enduring. These myths have survived and evolved, having been adapted to the modern media, such as Thai films , Thai television soap operas , and Thai comics. Some of the ghosts of Thai culture are shared with neighboring cultures. Krasue , for example is part of the Cambodian , Lao , and Malay cultures as well. A large proportion of these spirits are nocturnal. Except for the well-known Preta , most ghosts were traditionally not represented in paintings or drawings, hence they are purely based on oral tradition.
Ghosts are believed to frequent, among other places, certain trees, burial grounds near Buddhist temples, as well as abandoned houses. There are different categories of ghosts. Ghosts in Thai culture may be benevolent. Certain ghosts have their own shrines and among these there are some, such as the Mae Nak Phra Khanong shrine in Bangkok, that are quite important.
These shrines are common near trees and groves and in urban areas, close to buildings. It is considered a bad omen to neglect these spots and offerings are regularly made by people living nearby. After the ceremony is over the pig head is brought home and eaten. In this ritual, four sticks are usually planted at equal distance from each other on the ground near the burial or cremation place. A thread is tied around the sticks forming a protective square and a mat is spread in the middle.
The mo phi sits down within this enclosure, often along with other people present at the ritual. In front of him, outside of the square there is a mo khao terracotta jar containing ashes or bones of the dead person with a yantra painted on the outside.
Beside the jar there is also a plate of rice as offering and a stick or switch to keep the spirits at bay.
