Phi Tai Hong
Description
Extremely powerful ghost of someone who died suddenly and violently
Origin & Background
Phi Tai Hong generally originates from the souls of men or women who have died suddenly, violently, or cruelly. According to the Royal Institute Dictionary (1999), 'tai hong' means 'unnatural and violent death, such as being murdered or drowning,' and Phi Tai Hong refers to the ghost of a person who has died in such a manner. The word 'hong' consists of two elements: 'great pain' and 'suddenness or unexpectedness,' with the latter being more pronounced. This is because those who become Phi Tai Hong are unable to prepare for their death. This type of ghost symbolizes that life can end unexpectedly and indicates that anyone can become a victim of death. Therefore, cases like cancer patients are not included in the category of Phi Tai Hong, as their deaths are anticipated. Similarly, victims of suicide or executed prisoners are also excluded because their deaths were expected.
The Legend
According to Thai oral tradition, Phi Tai Hong is a ghost filled with vengeance and sorrow, condensed from the grievances of those who could not fulfill their dreams and desires due to sudden death. It is believed that they actively seek revenge during the first 7 days after death, and it is said that the living should avoid the area where they died. Phi Tai Hong often tries to harm other lives in the same manner in which they died, making them one of the most feared ghosts in Thai culture. These vengeful ghosts are known to be very difficult to exorcise, and they actively haunt the area where they died, including their homes. Exorcism rituals can be very complex and may involve mystical ceremonies. Stories about these ghosts and the rituals to exorcise them are popular in Thai publications.
Variants
Another unique form of Phi Tai Hong is Tai Thang Klom (ตายทั้งกลม) or Tai Thong Klom (ตายท้องกลม), which refers to the ghost of a woman who died with her fetus. These are the ghosts of pregnant women who died due to childbirth complications, and they are considered more malevolent because two lives were lost. Documented records dating back to the Ayutthaya period detail the powers and fears associated with this specific type of ghost. According to the writings of Jeremias van Vliet, the head of the Dutch East India Company's Ayutthaya branch in the 17th century, sacrificial rituals that involved burying pregnant women alive beneath city defenses or buildings transformed them into protective spirits rather than destructive Tai Thang Klom or Tai Thong Klom.
In Popular Culture
Phi Tai Hong appears in various types of films, including the 2003 Thai comedy horror movie 'Buppah Rahtree' and the 2010 film 'Tai Hong.' This ghost appears in many other films, but its role related to the theme is less central. In the Tai Thang Klom variation, it appears in the 2010 movie 'Tai Thang Klom.' Phi Tai Hong also repeatedly appears in Thai television dramas (lakorn), with Davika Hoorne portraying a vengeful ghost in 'The Sixth Sense,' 'Raeng Ngao,' 'Fai Huan,' and the recent 'Nang Chada,' while 'Pancake' Kemaniit Jamikorn plays a dual role in 'Waen Sawat.' The Phi Tai Hong legend is often used in the plots of erotic films like 'Phi Sao Tai Hong' and 'Khon Hen Phi,' where the protagonist spends a pleasurable night with a woman, only to later discover that she was a ghost.
This article is based on the Wikipedia article "Phi Tai Hong" (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikipedia
Abilities
- 불명