Today, we look Behind the Bamboo Curtain at why so many Thais believe in ghosts and the supernatural. Many foreigners have questioned whether Thais are Buddhists or ancestor-worshippers.
Chai, one of Ying’s friends, died today. He was only 42. She got a phone call at 7 o’clock from a work colleague. News travels with nimble speed in this nation.
Ying had waved to him as she left the office at 4.30 after her day’s work—never realising it would be a final farewell.
Khoot, her co-worker, told her Chai had taken the afternoon off, gone home early, and died after playing with his children after lunch.
Ying believes she had seen her friend’s spirit—not his human self—when she waved to him on leaving work.
Thais can be very superstitious, and many ghost stories are probably fabrications. But some people have made plausible claims to have seen ghosts, and sometimes their accounts are verified by others.
Plausible claims, periodically corroborated
Chai’s Possessions Neatly Stacked
Chai’s guitar, laptop, and other possessions were placed in the corner of his home, ready to be collected by the monks. It would be an act of merit—tamboon—to donate them to the wat.
We went over to the temple in the morning, lit an incense stick, and placed it with all the others beside the coffin.
Then we joined the rest of his family and friends, seated round and chatting about anything that came to mind. But no-one talked of his death.
Buddhists believe death is a natural part of the lifecycle. No crying or weeping. It’s always a shock to the system for us foreigners when we see how Thais react to death and funerals.
I understand it now, but it took some getting used to.
If the deceased is laid to rest at home, fans, air conditioning, and jars full of scented flowers and herbs can give off a pleasant perfume.
Chai’s body lay in a refrigerated cabinet because it was at the temple, and the building could become quite hot at times. In the summer months particularly, refrigerated cabinets are used regularly.
Close friends will pay their respects tonight
Everyone wants to go but know it’s not possible. Chai’s boss and two senior staff will attend. Ironic really, because Chai did not get on with them.
A pity that tradition could not have been changed so that two or three of his closest workmates could have taken the place of the top brass.
Closest colleagues could have come instead of the company’s commanders
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