It's Tough Here: Spirit Houses and Buddha's Bones

Spirit Houses can be found in nearly every home, school and business premises in Thailand. They look like minature temples or elegant birdhouses as some people have described them.

They come in different shapes and sizes though all of them are on a raised platform. The spirit house is for the chao tee or guardian spirit of the land. Thai people believe that by keeping the chao tee happy with a comfortable home and daily offerings of food and drink that their lives will be more safe and successful.

As the Thai's pass a Spirit House you will see many of them raising their hands in a wai as a form of respect to the chao tee. Some of them might offer food or a flower garland if they are looking for luck to pass an exam or win an important football match. They usually promise a special gift if their wish is granted.

It is not uncommon for the Bar Girls to pray for "Chok Dee" (Good Luck) before heading inside the Go-Go and stripping naked for another nights work...

While inside the Go Go's, each bar has it's own shrine. (This one has a little truck on it, why? I have no idea!)

While outside there are many public ones....

This reverence is common and during the months off December and January, a Thai Chicken farmer (a very rich one I may add) bought the use of a Museum in Pattaya for a month and arranged for Buddha's Penis (or some other remain)be made available for the public to visit and worship free of charge.The place was a bit OTT, but there were some nice statues and stuff!

There are better places to visit, but as it was only 5 minutes away I did not moan too much.

The majority of the gounds were a bit "gauche" for me, but the Thai exhibits were pretty good.

After wandering around while members of the entourage were “wai-ing” over the bones I started to get pretty hot, gave up and headed for the beer tent! The path to the tent was fraught with danger...