Research & Article

This article aims to provide a detailed understanding of five different supernatural beliefs and practices in Chiengmai, beginning with detailing the customs of saw inthakhin, or the central post of the city, as well as its general history and associated folk tales. Secondly, the practice of courting and the corresponding placation of Spirits is discussed. It is important to note that while these customs are no longer practiced in cities and more developed regions, they are still prevalent in the country. Furthermore, the practices mentioned are specific to some districts and communes of the Chiengmai province only and most likely differ elsewhere. The third custom explained is the dancing of the mod, or ant, ghosts, which is performed as a propitiatory offering to the ancestor spirits. The fourth set of practices specific to Chiengmai involves the building of a house, more specifically relating to the two posts most important to its construction: the saw mongkhon (the post of good fortune) and the saw naang (the lady post). Also heavily discussed is the collaboration found within this process, as people in Northern Thai believe building a house requires helping one another since the process is concerned with the stability and durability of the village. The final custom discussed is the ritual of healing, a practice known as song khrau. This magical ritual from Northern Thailand involves propitiatory offerings to ward off misfortune through worship, and to transform bad into good fortune.