I LOVE folk tales and LOVE a good ghost story, luckily Thai history and culture has an abundance of both! I've pieced together a few of my favorite characters and scary stories that I've learned about. I wouldn't read them alone or at night, these might give you goosebumps. You've been warned!
Krasue:
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Krasue:
The legend of Krasue comes from a Southeast Asian story about a Khmer princess who was forced to marry a Siamese nobleman. She was in love with another man but could not marry him due to status as well as the recent conquer by Siam over the Khmer people. She was caught one night with her lover and sentenced to death by her betrothed. On the day she was to be executed by burning she took a potion given to her by a sorceress. The potion was to leave her body unharmed by the fire. The spell worked, but not right away. Most of her body had already been burned before the magic kicked in, her organs and head remained unharmed.
Villagers say that Krasue is plagued by a deep hunger which she can never satisfy. Krasue comes out to hunt at night and will eat chickens, water buffalo and pigs. She also is drawn to pregnant women and will try to eat the baby before delivery. When there are complications with pregnancy it is said that Krasue might be to blame.
The Witch and the Orphan Boy:
One night a local orphan boy could not sleep so he crept out of his shared room at the orphanage house and took a little walk. Lost is his thoughts he walked and walked until he heard a sound coming from around the corner. Someone or something was gnawing, slurping and moaning. Reluctant and scared the little boy peaked around the corner to see the witch eating a man he knew from his village. The man had been torn apart, chest open with his organs scattered around his dead body. The witch was slurping out the intestine juice, her hands covered in blood. The boy shrieked and when the witch met his eyes and screamed a shrill terrifying note the boy ran. His small legs lifted with all his force, the witch flying behind him, crying a high-pitched scream that filled the night.
The boy arrived at the orphanage and ran to his room which he shared with 20 other boys. He found his bed in the rows of lined mattresses. Quickly he covered his head with his blankets and pretended to be asleep like his friends beside him. He lowered his breathing and listened. He heard the door squeak and the witch enter. Silence. He waited. The witch flew over each bed, scanning for the boy who had seen her. The witch knew he was here. She began to grasp each ankle of the little boys asleep in bed, knowing that the one she was looking for would be cold from the night air where he had seen her. The boy listened, there was no sound but he could not be sure she was gone. He remained still. Suddenly, he felt a hand clutch his ankle and he lurched back in fear. He had been discovered.
In the morning, there was nothing left of the little orphan boy but his cold little feet and ankles left on his bed where he had slept. Torn muscle, skin and blood proved they had been ripped from the rest of him.
Thai's today don't wonder around at night and many tuck their feet in at night; I will be from now on, that's for sure!!
Preta (Hungry Ghost):
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Preta, also known as Hungry Ghosts in other folk tales, are beings with huge, empty stomachs but have pinhole mouths and necks so thin they cannot swallow. They experience continuous frustration and unsatisfied hunger. The origins of this tale are directly related to Buddhism and the belief that humans always seek but are never satisfied. The preta are always hungry, always empty and always seeking satisfaction from the outside. Pretas are believed to have been jealous or greedy people in a previous life. They were attached to their worldly material possessions and as a result of their karma are afflicted with insatiable hunger.
The Old Clock Tower:
There is an Old Clock Tower at the University of Chiang Mai that I pass everyday on my way to school! It is said that if you run at midnight three times counter-clock wise and then peer through your legs you will see a Preta who roams there. There are many ghost related stories about the clock tower.
Chiang Mai University:
There are many ghost stories related to the Chiang Mai University. Many which have been published on Thai versions of "Ghost Hunters" ect. The one I know is about two girls who are roommates. The story is said to be true, although there are no documents of it anywhere.
One night before class two roommates, Lawan and Kulap are doing homework around dinnertime. Lawan and Kulap are hungry but Lawan explains she is not feeling well and is hoping Kulap will bring her back some street food from the University market close by. Kulap agrees to bring back some food. Several hours later Lawan wakes, her stomach growling. She calls Kulap but she does not answer. She tries many times and is worried. Pacing, she decides she will wake up her friend down the hall to go help her find Kulap. She dresses and prepares to leave. Upon opening her front door she finds a bag of street food placed on the door handle, she is grateful but looks around for Kulap. She sees her friends' body several yards down the hall. Kulap's chin is placed on the floor with her head balancing. Her body stretches back behind her but she is missing both her legs and arms, blood is everywhere.
It is still a mystery. People believe Kulap's was attacked walking back to the dorm, someone had cut off her limbs and she dragged herself to her dorm room using her chin. However, how the food was delivered to Lawan will never be understood as Kulap had no hands to grasp the bag and she was several yards from the door when she died, never having reached it.
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| The front gate at Chiang Mai University
Hopefully you enjoyed these stories from Thai folktales and you can still sleep tonight!!
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