What is a Phi Lang Kluang?

A Phi Lang Kluang (ผีหลังกลวง, spirit with a hollow back) is a spirit creature from (southern) Thai folklore.

Background

It is said that Phi Lang Kluang has a very large wound on his back. Inside the hollow back there are intestines full of worms.

According to legends, Phi Lang Kluang enjoys harmless jokes and pranks. For example, they ask someone to scratch their back. When someone does this, the Phi Lang Kluang turns out to be such a creature with a hollow back and full of creeping centipedes.

Phi Lang Kluang are said to live in forest communities. This and the appearance in a Chinese text (Shan Hai Ching) about native forest dwellers with funnel breasts suggest that the story is more of a denigration of minorities at its core.

Recommended Blog Posts

The lost wizards of thailand ruesi lersi featured 2022

Documentary: The Lost Wizards of Thailand

,
The Lost Wizards of Thailand is a documentary film about the last Ruesi / Lersi in Thailand. Here you can watch the film in full.