A spirit house (‘san pra poom’) is a small shrine usually found outside residential or business buildings in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. Early spirit houses were made predominantly of wood although nowadays cement is more commonly found. They are usually modeled on temple designs such as the ‘Bot’, with superimposed roofs and highly ornate gables, but other – usually earlier - types of structure can also be found such as palaces, granaries, huts and shelters. Spirit houses are often set on top of a pillar or dais, and there is usually a space in front or around the spirit house where offerings can be made to the spirits. Contemporary offerings include processed food, drink and incense, whereas more traditionally betel leaves, rice, chicken and flower garlands were left daily to appease the spirits sheltering within. The role of the spirit house is therefore one of protection for the premises nearby.

By offering wandering ghosts their own abode, it is thought that the main building will be left unaffected by possibly mischievous spirits. Although most prevalent in Buddhist countries, the use of spirit houses is actually an animist practice, with animism predating the arrival of Buddhism in the region by many centuries.

The exact type of spirit house chosen to protect a dwelling will depend on which type of spirit is expected to live there. The most common spirits called upon for protection are the guardians of the land (‘Pra Boom Jow Tee’) which include the guardian of the house and the guardian of the gardens. These two spirits have their own kind of dedicated spirit house. Other guardians include the protectors of gates, stairwells, animals, barns, storehouses, forests, mountains, paddy fields, military installations, vending stalls, theatres, bodies of water and temples themselves.

Other characteristics of spirit houses can depend on the individual style of the spirit house crafter as well as the owner of the property which the spirit house is meant to protect, for example the dominant color of the spirit house is often the birthday color of the owner.

Small figurines can also be seen populating many spirit houses. Usually, the figure with a traditional double-edged Thai sword in its right hand represents the incumbent spirit. Other human and animal figures are also sometimes added to serve the spirit within.

All the spirit houses featured in the Lanna Thai Crafts online store are hand crafted by trained craftsmen. They are all made of various types of wood and reflect a variety of architectural styles and finishes. For an overview of the spirit houses we offer, please go to our Spirit Houses page.