Thread: Thais believe in ghosts - how do you deal with this?

Of course there is the "holy ghost" which seems to be widely accepted.
I think it's wonderful there are ghosts and gods otherwise we would have to invent some!

i ignore it

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

Originally Posted by November Rain

I don't see why a partner's belief is a problem that has to be 'dealt with'.

When it comes to raising children it does become a problem. It isn't fair to a child to fuel their nightmares and fear of the dark by reinforcing their fantasies about monsters and bogey-men.

Superstitions cripple people because of unneccessary fears. Good beliefs should make you stronger.

This is true. My sister in law cut two eye holes in a peice of paper and when here two kids (age 2 and 4) act up, she puts the paper over her face and growls at them and tells them a ghost is coming to get them. And they wonder why the two kids start crying when they see my white face!!!

I think that's the reason they cry......

Originally Posted by floorpotato

But also bear in mind we can't verify with 100% certainty they don't exist.

Indeed, but I sure could never verify with more than 0% certainty that they do...

I'm surprised that people rebuilt on Phuket, PhiPhi and other tsunami areas. Lots of spirits there that can't find their way across. They be there haunting for sure.

Sure, Jet, they are haunting there.

Where's KW; they have great ghosts and zombies in Indonesia.

1. In Hindu Astrology, there is a characteristic called "goon". Each person is one of three "goon"s: "God", "Demon", or "Human".

A person of Human "goon" cannot see or interact with ghosts.
A person of Demon "goon" can see but cannot interact with ghosts.
A person of God "goon" can see and interact with ghosts.


2. Although Theosophy and the Theosophical Society have been somewhat discredited/maligned, many concepts relating to planes of existance and trans-manifestations are rooted in ancient Hindu "spiritual wisdom", and have survived in certain Buddhist sects. Once these concepts are understood, it is (surprisingly) easier to perceive events/occurances that are "metaphysical".

To put it a different way: Once you observe something spooky, you (might) become convinced that "something strange" happened; once you understand these theosophical concepts, you recognize what actually happened.


3. By and large, the majority of manifestations are NOT of people who died unexpectedly or painfully or en masse (which is the reason "group" or "multi-spirit" hauntings are rarely reported); but rather, of individuals who:

a) had a tremendous emotional desire to accomplish something as death approached (the most common being worry about a child). These typically are perceived as a young child mentioning that Grandpa/ma came to visit them;

b) individuals who are unwilling/unable to accept the post-death situation. These are not uncommon, typically deathsite-specific, and of short duration. Essentially, the "I can't be dead" syndrome. Eventually, these spirits "wake up" to the new "reality" they are in, and stop manifesting on the pre-death plane. The tsunami hauntings would fit this category.

c) individuals who are experienced with the metaphysics, have strong will and power, and actively WANT to interact. These "spirits" can be "good" or "bad", but are typically bad, since a "good" practitioner would avoid interaction. Some believe that legends about evil demons and angels are essentially powerful (dead) humans who willingly interact with the physical (non-deceased) plane;

d) accidental tricksters: still-living people who have accidentally "reached" into higher planes, and unwittingly caused manifestations back on the physical plane. These can be caused by certain psychoactive substances, as well as by people who have had sudden, rapid emotional "explosions". Effects of the former can vary: just a presence up to sounds/kinetics; effects of the latter are much more difficult to perceive, could manifest as the "target" feeling unwell or much better or luckier or unluckier.



Ultimately, it comes down to what a person wants to perceive. Just as we can tune out overlapping sounds when conversing in a crowded room, or tune out the scenery as we concentrate on driving, our "brain" has the ability to tune out or tune in what it expects/doesnt expect/understand/doesnt understand.

Sorry for the long post; at least it did mention the tsunami so could be considered TD-relevant.

It's useless explaining it to one-dimensional people. They never get it.

Originally Posted by floorpotato

Almost every Thai believes firmly in the existence of ghosts. Many forum members have spouses or partners who are Thai. How do you deal with them when these beliefs are discussed? I tell my wife that I've never seen ghosts and I'm not sure what to believe. I've just always felt that humans have a very limited capacity to understand the universe and to claim conclusively that ghosts don't exist isn't possible. Perhaps village animists in Thailand have a pipeline to this other world. I respect their beliefs without believing something I can't verify.

I don't have a problem with the belief in ghosts as such, I have not seen one yet, but they provide a plausible explanation for certain events which cannot be explained otherwise.
I cannot always establish what causes a wind or a noise, the possibility of ghosts causing it is fine by me. I have not been able to confirm the existence of ghosts beyond doubt, but there is anecdotal evidence from my life experience and witness accounts which indicate that there are phenomena for which 'ghost' is an adequately descriptive term.

Having said this, I have no superstitious belief about ghosts, most Thais seem to think ghosts are somehow dangerous and malevolent. I have managed to convince my missus to loose the fear she initially had of her mother's ghost visiting the house and our bedroom. I don't mind her at all, I did nothing wrong to her.
Similarly, I calmed an ill, delirious relative down by welcoming her deceased parents with a plate of fish and rice.

How do I deal with the fact that the Thais believe in ghosts?..... I try to freak them out with tales of ghosts that I have seen in my apartment.... It amuses me seeing how scared they can get...

Originally Posted by Texpat

It's an old-wive's tale that is perpetuated by the desire of the living for the deceased to remain with us.

That doesn't make sense, people would welcome such ghosts, and not be afraid and run away.

Perhaps it's something which isn't firmly rooted in physical reality, but in the space between the worlds, and science can't adequately measure and explain it?

Originally Posted by Jet Gorgon

It's useless explaining it to one-dimensional people. They never get it.

Tony?

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

Originally Posted by November Rain

I don't see why a partner's belief is a problem that has to be 'dealt with'.

When it comes to raising children it does become a problem. It isn't fair to a child to fuel their nightmares and fear of the dark by reinforcing their fantasies about monsters and bogey-men.

Superstitions cripple people because of unneccessary fears. Good beliefs should make you stronger.

Agree 100% there. Its not right to turn the kids into gibbering idiots when the sun goes down.

When I was a kid I used to be paralyzed with fear at the moonlight shadows on the wall outside my bedroom. My teddy bear was no protection, so I spent the night hiding under the blankets shivering with fear.

After years of this, one day I got up the courage to confront the ghosts harassing me. I have to laugh about it now but in my childhood logic I figured that if the ghosts killed me, I would then be a ghost too and could take them on in a fair fight. I walked right up to their image on the wall and told them that. It worked! The ghosts left and only the shadows remained.

I swore I would never put my kids through that kind of imaginary mental trauma.

Now at age 54, if the ghosts start giving me a hard time I just call in a few of my dead friends to sort them out. Haven't had a problem with them for years. Though I sometimes wonder if someone is watching me when I have a wank???

Originally Posted by Panda

After years of this, one day I got up the courage to confront the ghosts harassing me. I have to laugh about it now but in my childhood logic I figured that if the ghosts killed me, I would then be a ghost too and could take them on in a fair fight. I walked right up to their image on the wall and told them that. It worked! The ghosts left and only the shadows remained.

So you were harassed by ghosts and actually saw their image.
Why make fun of it now?

Originally Posted by stroller

Originally Posted by Texpat

It's an old-wive's tale that is perpetuated by the desire of the living for the deceased to remain with us.

That doesn't make sense, people would welcome such ghosts, and not be afraid and run away.

In many places, (Mexico, Japan) ghosts aren't necessarily scary, they're respected just as you respect grandparents etc.

Perhaps it's something which isn't firmly rooted in physical reality, but in the space between the worlds, and science can't adequately measure and explain it?

That's what I was referring to -- science isn't up to it yet. But the Ghostbusters movies advanced the cause by years.

Originally Posted by stroller

Originally Posted by Texpat

It's an old-wive's tale that is perpetuated by the desire of the living for the deceased to remain with us.

That doesn't make sense, people would welcome such ghosts, and not be afraid and run away.

Perhaps it's something which isn't firmly rooted in physical reality, but in the space between the worlds, and science can't adequately measure and explain it?

So you believe all those ghosts are staying in Thailand because of the warm weather?

Originally Posted by stroller

Originally Posted by Panda

After years of this, one day I got up the courage to confront the ghosts harassing me. I have to laugh about it now but in my childhood logic I figured that if the ghosts killed me, I would then be a ghost too and could take them on in a fair fight. I walked right up to their image on the wall and told them that. It worked! The ghosts left and only the shadows remained.

So you were harassed by ghosts and actually saw their image.
Why make fun of it now?

OK, let me explain it to you.
On a moonlight night there would be shadows dancing on the wall opposite my bedroom. As a kid who had been taught to believe in ghosts I thought the shadows were ghosts coming to harm me.
Once I confronted these ghosts I realized they were only shadows.

Originally Posted by Jet Gorgon

I'm surprised that people rebuilt on Phuket, PhiPhi and other tsunami areas. Lots of spirits there that can't find their way across. They be there haunting for sure.

Lots of ongoing stories of ghost sightings in Phuket by laborers staying nights on the big job sites by the seaside. Of course, those sightings are known to have been fueled by lao khao.

Interesting topic however the OP might have asked do ghosts exist. I have always had an interest in the supposable other dimension as I always met people who worked in a related profession be it the police or a witchdoctor.

I came to the conclusion that ghosts or spirits as we might call them do exist. The topic is a bit broad, in that spirits would fall in the category of the paranormal. I don't wish for a flame war, so I will not elaborate.

Any way, most of you guys more likely than not have never been to a satanic church, a witch doctor or anything or anyone related to the topic, hence your off the cuff - its crap.

There is absolutely more between heaven and earth .
Ghosts are one of them .