Spirit house worship in Bangkok's modern context

Abstract

The past several decades of rapid modernization inThailand have brought significant changes to the religiousbeliefs and practices of Thais living in Bangkok. Simpleobservation reveals there is an increasing role in thenon-Buddhist elements of animism, superstition and magic.Traditional Buddhism appears to be decreasing in influence.The changing face of Thai Buddhism as a result ofmodernization is viewed by many as cause for concern. This paper examines the current religious situation byfocusing on role of spirit houses in Bangkok. The Phra Phum,Jaow Thii and Phra Phrom shrines are examined in detail. Inaddition to interviews with respected scholars and ritualexperts concerning these three types of spirit houses, datawas collected from 893 Bangkok residents to determine trendsin spirit house beliefs and power perception. The powerperception of the different spirit houses is also~~comparedwith other currently popular spirit shrines and images.