Thai Spirit Houses
There is a tradition in Thailand that entails building a small “spirit house” whenever a new home, business, or hotel is built. The spirit house is constructed to give the spirits (or ghosts) who once inhabited the land being built upon a place to reside, rather than having them move into the new residence. Some spirit houses are built on the sides of roads, to give those who might have died there a peaceful place to live.
The spirit houses themselves resemble small houses, almost like elaborate bird houses, set atop poles or wooden posts. Their placement must be carefully planned, as they may not be hidden by the main house, nor placed where the main building will provide too much shade.
In order to entice the spirits to occupy the spirit house rather than the main residence, daily offerings of food, flowers, incense and candles are brought to the tiny house by the home or business owner. It is said that offerings of money in the form of bags of coins will bring wealth to the residents as well. Tiny statues of men and women serve as slaves for the spirits, and models of horses or elephants provide for their transportation.
In the city of Bangkok, there is a large spirit house at the site of the Grand Palace. Every day, Thailand natives and tourists alike flock to make offerings and beg favors from the spirit of Chao Phor Lak Muang, the guardian spirit of Bangkok, who is said to reside there.