A pair of Yaksha guardians infront of a temple gate.
Thailand (historically known as Siam) is a country in Southeast Asia. Tai people migrated from southwestern China to mainland Southeast Asia in the 11th century. The dominant religions in Thailand (plus the majority of Southeast Asia) today are Hinduism and Buddhism that arrived from India with maritime trade in ancient times, indeed Thailand alongside Tibet have become some of the most populous Buddhist-majority countries in the world. That said however before the introduction of these religions the local Tai people worshipped their own unique pantheon of deities and mythical creatures.
Thai Mythology provides examples of:
- Food God: Phosop (or Phaisop) is the rice goddess of the Thai people. She is a deity more related to ancient Thai folklore than a goddess of a structured, mainstream religion. She is also known as Mae Khwan Khao ("Mother of Rice Prosperity").
- Healer God: Phi Fa (also known as Phi Thaen) is a deity or spirit in the local folklore of northeast Thailand and Laos. The Phi Fa ritual is a practice preferably celebrated for a person who recovers after convalescence from a serious disease. The shaman is the medium, that is able to contact Phi Fa and invite her to take part in the ceremony. They believe Phi Fa will participate the ceremony and they expect healing and protection from unfavorable fortune.
- Lady Luck: Kuman Thong is a household divinity of Thai folk religion. It is believed to bring luck and fortune to the owner if properly revered. Kuman, or Kumara (Pali) means "Sanctified young boy" (female kumari); thong means golden. These beings are often worshipped to obey their worshippers for personal gains, protection, wealth and harm in some cases. It is believed to have consequences to each request.
- Wouldn't Hurt a Child: Mae Sue (unrelated to
Mary Sue) is the guardian goddess and female ghost of infants, one of the benevolent guardian spirits in Thai culture. These female spirits are considered to protect whatever is related to their names. Mae Sue literally means Mother of Buying; when a baby is born it is believed that Mae Sue comes and buys the baby in order to keep it out of the reach of evil spirits. On the other hand, Mae Sue is also believed to be the cause of illness in children.
