Spirit Houses - ศาลพระภูมิ (San phra hum)

Spirit Houses are a common occurrence throughout Thailand.

There are a great many reasons why people erect a Spirit House in their homes in Thailand and it is for a home for the spirits to live. There is talk of the size of the spirit house being relevant but there is also talk that it isn't so I leave that up to the reader.

It used to be mandatory to build a spirt house in the homes in Thailand in respect of the spirit on the land. In fact to be specific the house was built for the spirits of the land - it is believed to calm the spirit and assure good blessings for the owner of the land.

Spirit Houses are believed to be the home for the spirits which is why they are taken care of so well. 

Flowers, drinks, food and also little figurines representing servants, dancers, elephants, horses, cars are given to the spirit of the land.

The dancers will entertain him.

The elephants and horses will transport him.

(Information is from Thai World View)

A popular gift for the spirits is the red soda pop drink.

Then I read that the old spirit houses should be take to the temple - but unfortunately they are usually dumped at various places. 

The banyan tree is also a traditional place to put the discarded Spirit Houses - and these Banyan trees are scattered throughout Phuket.

However Spirit Houses are also placed at places where road accidents are common.

If you look carefully when you leave Phuket Airport to the costal side of the runway you will see that there is a Spirit House there.

There are a number of books that you can read about Spirit Houses and here's one (Amazon) that looks good although it seems to be expensive.