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Shrines and Spirit Houses, Bangkok
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Shrines and Spirit Houses
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Bangkok Shrines and Spirit Houses ReviewsTips 1 - 10 of 15  
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Shrines and Spirit Houses: Look out for the shrines....
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  • Updated By jrs1234 on September 12, 2003
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  • Shrine at the World Trade Center, Bangkok - Bangkok
    Shrine at the World Trade
    Center, Bangkok
    by jrs1234
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    It's often a custom in Bangkok to build an accompanying shrine to a large new building or development, to promote good fortune and ward off bad luck. The Erawan Shrine is one of the best known (and probably the only one with a resident dance troupe!) but in fact they are all over Bangkok; some are more noticable than others, though. It's worth noting that they are not generally Thai "Spirit Houses", which are animist in origin, but are usually dedicated to Brahma instead. I found this webpage which explains a bit about it: www.thaiworldview.com/bouddha/brahma.htm If they are particularly prominent you will often find people turning up to pay their respects. It's worth keeping an eye out for them! Here's a picture of one the shrines outside the World Trade Center - there's another one at the other end of the complex, too...

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    Shrines and Spirit Houses: Spirit Houses
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  • Updated By jrs1234 on October 21, 2004
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  • Large Spirit Houses @ MBK - Bangkok
    Large Spirit Houses @ MBK
    by jrs1234
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    Much more common than shrines, but generally much more modest, are Thai Spirit Houses. These are normally seen on the corner of Thai residential properties, and sometimes outside commercial properties too. Thai people generally believe (to some degree at least) that spirits reside on the land, and if you build a house, you have to build a small home for the spirits too. Offerings will often be made at these to keep the spirits happy. A couple of great, but unusual examples of Spirit Houses can be found on the street corner outside the MBK mall in central Bangkok - there are two together there. If you're visiting the mall, it's worth braving the heat for a few minutes to take a look at them! You can read more about Spirit Houses on this webpage.

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    Shrines and Spirit Houses: All over Bangkok there is...
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  • By monica78 on September 7, 2002
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  • Shrines and Spirit Houses - Bangkok
    by monica78
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    All over Bangkok there is Buddha statues. People come here with flowers, food and other things that they like to offer to the Buddha. They do this because they have prayed for something and they have got it. So these offers are a thank to the Buddha for the help. Do respect people doing their prayers...

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    Shrines and Spirit Houses: Street shrines
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  • By SirRichard on October 21, 2003
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  • A little shrine - Bangkok
    A little shrine
    by SirRichard
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    In the small streets and alleys you will find often little private shrines with small statues of Gods and offerings like flowers, incense and so...

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    Shrines and Spirit Houses: Money for the Gods
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  • Updated By SirRichard on October 22, 2003
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  • Money and Buddha - Bangkok
    Money and Buddha
    by SirRichard
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    In some shrines and altars you can find bank notes hanging in sticks. I guess it must be to attract good luck about financial aspects, some business in mind, lottery or so...

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    Shrines and Spirit Houses: spirit houses
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  • Updated By trisanna on April 21, 2005
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  • decorated spirit house - Bangkok
    decorated spirit house
    by trisanna
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    I have fallen in love with the Thai spirit house. There are two kinds-the wooden old fashioned kinds and the painted cement ones. The cement ones have different styles of architecture-thai, khmer with a giant prang. Spirit houses are placed in a certain corner of a person's property. They believe that their deceased relatives will come and stay here on their journeys. People will put offerings, such as food, cigarettes, toys and will wrap the spirit house in colorful ribbon. Many will be adorned with strings of fresh flowers-such as jasmine and marigolds. if you really love spirit houses-you can buy small wooden ones at chatuchak weekend

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    Shrines and Spirit Houses: Shrine
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  • By templemonkey on March 5, 2005
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  • shrine - Bangkok
    shrine
    by templemonkey
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    "Any place that is regarded as holy because of its association with a special person or event." In nealy most Thai homes no mater what social status you will probably see a place of worship.

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    Shrines and Spirit Houses: Street side Shrines
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  • By Jim_Eliason on April 5, 2003
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  • shrine - Bangkok
    shrine
    by Jim_Eliason
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    Throughout Bangkok, you find small and not so small street side shrines like the one shown. The fresh offering are proof of there constant use.

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    Shrines and Spirit Houses: Chinese Shrines
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  • Updated By templemonkey on February 1, 2006
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  • In China Town - Bangkok
    In China Town
    by templemonkey,
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    There are many Thais with Chinese ancestors ,so you will often see Chinese style shrines all over the country .On certain ocassions such as Chinese New Year you will see people paying respect to Gods and past ancesters in front of their homes,shop or local shrines.Offerrings of chicken,duck,fruit,pig heads ,Chinese dessert,soft drink ,tea and whiskey are placed in front these shrines. Also you will see lots of fake paper money or gold bars being burned , so don't panic thinking there is a fire nearby. A good time to get a feel of shrine worshipping custom is during Chinese New Year January28-30 .

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    Shrines and Spirit Houses: Spirit Houses
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  • Updated By shrimp56 on September 24, 2004
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  • Shrines and Spirit Houses - Bangkok
    by shrimp56
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    You will see spirit houses throughout Thailand and SE Asia. Some are very ornate and elegant -- this one was simpler, put together by the people who work in the "Green Market.." . The spirit houses are a legacy of animism -- the belief that spirits inhabit all natural objects. Even after the rise of Buddhism the spirit house was retained -- you will see them outside almost every house & business in Thailand.. Spirit Houses can be found outside virtually every dwelling or place of business in Thailand. The offerings placed next to the house are meant to placate those spirits.

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