The Civilization of Spirits: The Relationship of Ghosts in the Siamese Kingdom

This article explores the historical and cultural significance of spirit beliefs in Thailand, tracing the role of ghosts known locally as “phi”in shaping societal structures, religious syncretism, and the Thai worldview. Long before the ethnonym “Thai” emerged, the land was already inhabited by complex notions of spirits and supernatural forces. The study frames spirit belief as a foundational element of the Siamese civilization.