Jun 23

Baby Ghosts in Thailand

By Richard Barrow Email

Wednesday 23rd June, 2010 | 184 words | Category: Thai Culture | 6 feedbacks »

If you want any proof that superstition and black magic is alive and well in Thailand then you don't need to go further than the front page of the Thai Rath. This is the most popular newspaper for Thai people and its front pages are often filled with colour pictures of road accidents and murder victims. On the front page of yesterday's newspaper was this photo of a policeman looking at 14 jars containing the pickled remains of foetuses. Yes, you heard right. The foetuses all come from illegal abortions. Once they are dried out, a black magic ceremony is performed to turn this into a Kumong Tong or Golden Boy. Some people believe that the spirit of the un-born child will protect them and keep them safe from danger. They are often worn in an amulet around the neck or close to the body. It is believed the kumong tong can warn of approaching danger. Some people also believe it will bring you good luck as in revealing the lottery numbers. You can read more background information about it on our Paknam Web Forums.

Do you have any questions about Thailand? Maybe you are planning a holiday or just want to learn more about Thai culture. Have all of your questions answered for free at ThailandQA.com. These forums are part of the family friendly Paknam Web Network.

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Comment from: Yan Email · http://khopeiyan.wordpress.com
*****
Omb, the photo sure drives the message home. For many years since my teens, I have stories about how Kun Man Tong is created and have half-dismissed the tales as fictitious. Now I know better. That the process uses aborted foetuses is for real. Now, I wonder if the aborting mother gave any consent for their dead babies to be used this way. Or if the abortion clinic benefited from it. May the foetuses rest in peace.
24/06/2010 @ 15:36
Comment from: Boonsong · http://boonsongsomboontp.blogspot.com/
This is gross, uh. The photo defies description.
Thanks fr this excellent post.

Best regards, Boonsong
25/06/2010 @ 20:22
Comment from: Ben Shingleton · http://www.thethaipirate.com
Very sad photo. Awful practices.
25/06/2010 @ 21:13
Comment from: Yan Email · http://khopeiyan.wordpress.com
Some people think that they are doing the deceased babies a favour by making offering to the Khun Man Tong. But if we put ourselves in their shoes, I mean if I am the baby, I will rather be at peace and go to Heaven to meet my maker or be reincarnated (whatever point of religion one believes in) than to be a baby ghost to "help" someone I am obliged to cos I am bound by some magic, and in return get some offerings. I will rather be myself and be where I want to be, that is. Even if one is an atheist and don't believe in any afterlife, one should wonder, if there is enough respect given to the corpse of a dead baby. I just pray that the babies will all just rest in peace cos they deserve this least bit of rights as any being. Period.
27/06/2010 @ 20:51
Comment from: Niki
What a wonderful and strange story indeed! The superstitions of Thailand are indeed very interesting reading, I was also wondering how they manage to put the baby in the amulet to wear for protection? Perhaps it is cut up and inserted? Creepy thoughts indeed!
01/07/2010 @ 01:20
Comment from: Yan · http://khopeiyan.wordpress.com
What I heard was that they used the secretions from the baby's corpse or the oil / liquid it had been soaking in, and put / rub that into the amulet or statues.
02/07/2010 @ 15:52

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