Background
South Asia has such a wide variety of spirits and beliefs that is becomes difficult to choose only select types of discuss. Because of the popularity of spirits in Thailand it is believed that over 100 types are alleged to exist in the country. Still, there are types that stand out more than others. The krasue from Thailand is a fascinating ghosts that is startlingly unique compared to ghosts from other countries. The krasue is the most well-known ghost in Thailand. She is a female spirit that manifests herself as a floating head with several bodily organs hanging from her neck.
There is no official story of how the krasue came into being, but more half a dozen variations of her origin story. Some claim she was a wealthy woman who wore a black ribbon around her neck up until she was possessed by an evil spirit, after which her head became separate from her body. Another tale tells of a Khmer princess who was tried for adultery and set to be executed by burning to death. The princess enlisted in a sorceress to protect her body from the flames, but the spell got to the princess to late, after her body had been burned and all that was left was the princesses’ head and some organs. Some also believe that a person becomes a krasue by consuming food or drink contaminated with krasue saliva.
History
Regardless of how she came into being, her actual existence is one of the most grotesque out of any known spirits. The spirit is cursed to be forever hungry and consumes flesh, blood, and feces. She is known to devour cattle and other farm animals for this nourishment. The krasue is also, more importantly, drawn to pregnant women, who they torment and torture during their pregnancy by using their elongated tongues to bother fetus or placenta in the womb. If they can they will consume the unborn child using their tongue and razor sharp teeth. For such reasons relatives and friends tend to place thorny bushes around where a woman is soon to give birth, as these are believed to keep the krasue away.
During the night the krasue stalks its prey, but before sunrise she must reunite with her head or she will be vanquished. To kill a krasue one must destroy, or simply hide the remaining body of the spirit so it cannot return to it before dawn. Upon returning to its body, however, the spirit will live out the day as an average person. There are no calling cards to differentiate a krasue with a human besides the blood that may be still smeared across their face if they have not had time to wipe it off.
Travel Information
Krasue are a popular subject in Thailand, appearing as the subject in many films and T.V. series, while also being highly popular in comic books. In addition Thailand itself is heavily influenced by the paranormal. Seeking out a fortune teller is a regular occurrence for everyone from business leaders to university students. Generals are often expected to consult with a seer before making a major decision. Many buildings are designed specifically to showcase their ghost fascination. One of the most popular is Mansion 7 in Bangkok, Ratchadapisek Soi 14. Mansion 7 is a haunted house themed shopping mall. It was previously just a mansion where the old owner and his daughter lived. After his daughter died, however, he conducted a series of experiment to bring her back to life, the culmination of which brought his daughter back as a spirit, likely a krasue. The new owner, when he bought the land decided to create a mall with ghosts in mind, and designed the dark, spooky space to attract more visitors. The mall is large, and dark, but more entertaining than frightening. Unique themed restaurants and shops fill the area, including the highly popular Somtumized, which serves its som tam according to blood type.
Temporary Citations:
http://ghostsnghouls.com/2013/08/14/ghost-thailand-krasue/
http://unexplainedmysteries.org/post/59099616776/krasue-the-floating-head-thai-ghost
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/11/world/in-thailand-the-ghost-business-thrives.html?_r=0
http://www.bangkok.com/shopping-mall/mansion7.htm
South Asia has such a wide variety of spirits and beliefs that is becomes difficult to choose only select types of discuss. Because of the popularity of spirits in Thailand it is believed that over 100 types are alleged to exist in the country. Still, there are types that stand out more than others. The krasue from Thailand is a fascinating ghosts that is startlingly unique compared to ghosts from other countries. The krasue is the most well-known ghost in Thailand. She is a female spirit that manifests herself as a floating head with several bodily organs hanging from her neck.
There is no official story of how the krasue came into being, but more half a dozen variations of her origin story. Some claim she was a wealthy woman who wore a black ribbon around her neck up until she was possessed by an evil spirit, after which her head became separate from her body. Another tale tells of a Khmer princess who was tried for adultery and set to be executed by burning to death. The princess enlisted in a sorceress to protect her body from the flames, but the spell got to the princess to late, after her body had been burned and all that was left was the princesses’ head and some organs. Some also believe that a person becomes a krasue by consuming food or drink contaminated with krasue saliva.
History
Regardless of how she came into being, her actual existence is one of the most grotesque out of any known spirits. The spirit is cursed to be forever hungry and consumes flesh, blood, and feces. She is known to devour cattle and other farm animals for this nourishment. The krasue is also, more importantly, drawn to pregnant women, who they torment and torture during their pregnancy by using their elongated tongues to bother fetus or placenta in the womb. If they can they will consume the unborn child using their tongue and razor sharp teeth. For such reasons relatives and friends tend to place thorny bushes around where a woman is soon to give birth, as these are believed to keep the krasue away.
During the night the krasue stalks its prey, but before sunrise she must reunite with her head or she will be vanquished. To kill a krasue one must destroy, or simply hide the remaining body of the spirit so it cannot return to it before dawn. Upon returning to its body, however, the spirit will live out the day as an average person. There are no calling cards to differentiate a krasue with a human besides the blood that may be still smeared across their face if they have not had time to wipe it off.
Travel Information
Krasue are a popular subject in Thailand, appearing as the subject in many films and T.V. series, while also being highly popular in comic books. In addition Thailand itself is heavily influenced by the paranormal. Seeking out a fortune teller is a regular occurrence for everyone from business leaders to university students. Generals are often expected to consult with a seer before making a major decision. Many buildings are designed specifically to showcase their ghost fascination. One of the most popular is Mansion 7 in Bangkok, Ratchadapisek Soi 14. Mansion 7 is a haunted house themed shopping mall. It was previously just a mansion where the old owner and his daughter lived. After his daughter died, however, he conducted a series of experiment to bring her back to life, the culmination of which brought his daughter back as a spirit, likely a krasue. The new owner, when he bought the land decided to create a mall with ghosts in mind, and designed the dark, spooky space to attract more visitors. The mall is large, and dark, but more entertaining than frightening. Unique themed restaurants and shops fill the area, including the highly popular Somtumized, which serves its som tam according to blood type.
Temporary Citations:
http://ghostsnghouls.com/2013/08/14/ghost-thailand-krasue/
http://unexplainedmysteries.org/post/59099616776/krasue-the-floating-head-thai-ghost
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/11/world/in-thailand-the-ghost-business-thrives.html?_r=0
http://www.bangkok.com/shopping-mall/mansion7.htm