Ghosts in Thailand


The Land of Smiles has no shortage of stories regarding human-like ghosts looking to eat your guts – one notorious example is the Pop.

It seems that even religious figures aren’t exempt from fearing these mythical beings. A monk and AC technician, Mr. Sarawut Jongrutnawich reportedly scrambled out of a room after encountering a Pop prop at Pong Dinsor Temple in Nakhon Sri Thammarat.

Thai horror in pop culture:


A ghostly prop for shocks electricians


Mr. Jongrutnawich and his co-workers were tasked with installing an air conditioner in a temple storage closet with event props, lights, cutlery, signs, and cooling caskets – the usual. 

Thai Monk Gets Shocked By Ghost In Temple, Turns Out To Be Statue PropImage credit: MSN News

One of the monks directed him to the assigned area, where they were greeted by a hyper-realistic Pop prop that was stored right behind a cooling casket – they got frightened by it and scrambled away shared True ID News. 

They realised that actually it was a prop, and it characterised ‘Pop Yip – a Pop fictional character from a Thai film series called Baan Pee Pop, which directly translated means ‘Pop’s house’. 


Who is Pop Yip in Thai pop culture?


Baan Pee Pop has 14 sequels – it was produced from 1989 to 2011, and considered to be one of the most consistent film series in Thailand. The film series is a must-watch for dark humour enthusiasts.

Thai Monk Gets Shocked By Ghost In Temple, Turns Out To Be Statue PropImage credit: Sanook (Left), True ID News (Right)

It gave popularity to the pop-culture icon, Pop Yip, who gets a revamped look every new movie.  

Thai Monk Gets Shocked By Ghost In Temple, Turns Out To Be Statue PropBaan Pee Pop 2008
Image credit: Sanook


Getting frightened with a twist


We’ve all faced some frightening situations; the best ones are those that we can laugh about immediately after or hopefully, later. 

Thai superstition and folklore:


Cover images adapted from: Sanook (Left), True ID News (Right)

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