What is a Phi Thayong?

Background

In Thai understanding, a Phi Thayong (also Known as Phi Tai Hong) usually goes back to the sudden death of a man or woman who did not have a proper funeral ritual.

According to the Royal Institute Dictionary 1999, the official dictionary of the Thai language, “tai hong” means “to die an unnatural and violent death, e.g. be murdered or drown”.

The word “Hong” (โหง), in turn, contains two components: “great suffering” and “suddenness or unexpectedness”, with the latter component in the foreground because people who become Phi Tai Hong are unable to prepare for death. Therefore, these types of spirits are seen as a reminder that life can end unexpectedly and that anyone can become a victim of death. This suddenness during death also represents the main difference to, for example, a sick spirit (Pieh Tayhah).

Phi Tai Hong are considered particularly dangerous and aggressive by Thai people because they could not fulfill their dreams and wishes during their lifetime. Death came too suddenly for them and prevented them from realizing their dreams. It is anger and sorrow that manifest in the form of a vengeful spirit that make Phi Tai Hong so dangerous. It is believed that these spirits are most active during the first seven days after death. The living are advised to avoid the area where Phi Tai Hong died, as they will often try to kill others in the same way that they themselves died. Therefore, Phi Tai Hong are among the most feared spirits in Thai culture.

In Thai culture, Phi Tai Hong are considered to be among the most difficult to exorcise ghost beings. This is due to their particularly violent nature and the fact that they actively haunt the places where their death took place, including the houses. Stories about these types of ghosts and the exorcism ceremonies required to rid oneself of them are very popular in Thai publications.