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

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.

Originally Posted by floorpotato

respect their beliefs without believing something I can't verify.

sounds about right, let them get on with it.

I tell them to stop being so stupid.

It doesn't work, mind you.

^

ya big softy!

[quote=floorpotato;466999]I tell my wife that I've never seen ghosts and I'm not sure what to believe.


Iam not sure that its possible to see them but I know they exist I have know doubts in my mind after an experiance in a very old house in France with a spirit didnt see him but new for sure he was there and the moment he left .

I didnt believe in Ghosts until I saw one in 16th Century 'The Bear' at Woodstock near Oxford in the UK.

But most so called 'sightings' are figments of the imagination....

I don't think mine was. It was SO real!

I don't believe in religion but I do believe in ghosts. They are somewhere around me, I can feel. Brrrrrrr...

The one thing i know, is that no ghost ever hurt, or helped, me yet. So real or not, i think their influence on this mortal plain equates to zero....

I believe in ghosts, the tooth fairy and Father Christmas

^But not the Easter bunny?

Originally Posted by Luckydog

I don't think mine was. It was SO real!

In your imagination it was real because your brain was unable to decypher as to what you really saw. If James Randi can offer 1 million $ to whoever can prove the existance of ghosts, and he's had no takers, then it's all aload of shite.
Grow up believers and stop believing something that was told to you as a child.

Everytime we pass a graveyard or church we have the same ghost conversation. She seems to think when it gets dark the graves turn into the thriller video.
I tell her its not real and there are no ghosts but she adamant there are.
My double glazing has vents at the top which make a whislting / whinning noise in the wind some times. thats ghosts too.
Who knows maybe there are, but ive not seen em.

Jesus Christ, Why would anyone believe a person that believes Thai politics are for real too.

I told her to call me as soon as she sees one.
I really want to believe.
It did not work so far but I know why.
Thai ghosts do not like farangs...

Originally Posted by Bluecat

Thai ghosts do not like farangs

They've probably been reading farang stories of Peterpan "swatting Thais"

Originally Posted by November Rain

If you don't believe in them, fine, but I don't see why a partner's belief is a problem that has to be 'dealt with'.

Well if they won't go somewhere or do something because of it, then it can be problem. Also, if they keep making a twat of themselves it tends to piss one off.

One night, just past midnight, I put a black cape and a scream mask on and wandered around my yard for a bit. Several motorcycle taxis almost crashed!!!!

^only almost, no prize for that!

Originally Posted by floorpotato

I respect their beliefs without believing something I can't verify.

This is the pragmatic approach.

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

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by November Rain

If you don't believe in them, fine, but I don't see why a partner's belief is a problem that has to be 'dealt with'.

Well if they won't go somewhere or do something because of it, then it can be problem. Also, if they keep making a twat of themselves it tends to piss one off.

So then, the problem isn't belief, it's fear. I believe in ghosts, but I'm not scared of them, therefore it doesn't curtail my life (or anyone else's) at all.

The problem is the same as if someone had an irrational fear of spiders or close spaces. And it is an irrational fear - even if ghosts are to be believed in, how can they be feared? They can't physically do anything. It's all those stupid Thai horror movies that are to blame...

Originally Posted by chitown

Several motorcycle taxis almost crashed!!!!

Take the mask off next time it should prove more effective.

Originally Posted by November Rain

It's all those stupid Thai horror movies that are to blame...

No it's the fact Thais can't distinguish between fact and fiction. The first thing they are told seems to get locked into their brains and no amount of convincing after that will remove it.

I have that problem with my staff, they are scared shit-less of ghosts, I tell that if they see one then tell the lazy bastard to get to work, staying on the farm is not a free ride, gotta earn your keep...

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.