In northern Tak province, locals were spooked after discovering that someone left out miniature houses on the side of Mae So – Tung Luang road because, in their traditions, ghosts may have moved into these little houses close to theirs.
A Myanmar woman named “Mong Lae” told Sanook that she lives only 500 meters from the spot where she found the spirit houses. She said that she’s afraid of encountering the spirits when she has to pass the spot during the night.
One of the houses has a name written on the wall, which locals believe belonged to the person who died and that the house was made for him or her.
Sanook reported that the tradition of leaving houses for ghosts is called “tan huan noi,” a northern Thai phrase for “the giveaway of small houses.” Northerners believe that when they die, the spirits may not be at peace, so a family may make merit by leaving small houses for their dead relative and also other ghosts after the funeral.
They may also put necessities such as pillows and bedding, clothing, or a teapot inside the houses.
Usually, the houses are left in the cemetery or far away from their village.
