Bangkok Ghost Stories 2
Experience There is a popular legend of a ghost who resides in one of Bangkok’s subdistricts known as Phra Khanong. A shrine has been placed at the temple where people go and make offerings to the ghost of Mae Nak who resides within. A few things that are commonly asked for from this ghost are from women seeking easy childbirths, or requesting that their husbands not be forced into military service. Pga championship golf 2000 user manuals. I didn’t come with any of these requests from the disgruntled spirit, though still found it a fascinating spot to explore, especially on the massive temple grounds in which it’s located. This isn’t my first ghost related situation in my travels, though it’s the first time I actually went out looking for one! History Legend has it that the events are real, and took place somewhere between the late 1800s and the early 1900s. This legend speaks of a pregnant woman named Nak who was deeply in love with her husband Mak.
He was sent away to war, and while away she and their child died during labour. This of course is where the themes of the offerings come from. Upon returning home, however, Mak found his wife and child alive and well. They lived together for some time, before he eventually realized that the rumours he had heard were true, and that he was in fact living with ghosts. He fled and took refuge in a temple, which is off limits to the super natural. Enraged, Nak haunted the region of Phra Khanong, until eventually being captured by an exorcist, her spirit put in a bottle and tossed into the river. There are many variations to this legend and how it ends.
Bangkok Ghost Stories - An abused young girl is murdered. She becomes a vengeful ghost, wreaking havoc in an apartment complex. A young man with the ability to.
Some say that she was actually re-released after being fished out of the river accidentally. One of the retellings speaks of a monk who recaptured the soul and trapped it inside the skeletal remains of Nak’s body.
In yet another variation, he convinced her all would be well when reincarnated, and she could join Mak again in her future life, so she left this world. I’m sure there are countless variations, actually, depending on where you ask and who you’re asking.
Most folklore, legends (and other long tales in lengthy books) often have some truth in their origins, regardless. A more traditional version was recently uncovered in an old print from the late 1800s which described a woman, Nak, who was the daughter of Phra Khanong’s leader, died while pregnant. In an effort to divert possible remarriage of their father, Nak’s remaining children made up a story of her ghost coming back, and acted out some of her actions to scare other possible suiters away. SEE – Photos & Videos. GO – Getting There We got there via the and a bit of good old fashioned walking.
If you decide to take this route, you will want to get off the BTS around On Nut station, and then exit towards On Nut Road Soi 77, on the north side of Sukhumvit. From here, it’s about a 20 mins walk through some busy fruit markets, and past a very large Big C (equivalent to a large Tesco department store). I did see a number of Subaru Songtaews (shared taxis) heading up On Nut rd coming from Sukhomvit, which usually cost about 7 baht, and would have shaved 15 mins off the walk, easily. As you walk away from Sukhomvit, about 1 kilometer down, you will see a small lane on the left hand side of the street. It is labeled Soi 7. Going down this lane, you will find the large temple complex Wat Mahabut at the end of it, and inside, the shrine of Mae Nak.
You can tell you’re getting closer by the increasing number of fortune tellers on the side of the road. The shrine is quite small, and poorly labeled. You would be best off asking someone working at the temple for guidance once there. From the BTS it only took us about 20 mins to get there, and that was hiking through busy streets with a bit of sightseeing being done. A taxi or tuk tuk may charge upwards of 100 Thai Baht ($3 USD) to get there, though you can take the shared taxis for only 7 THB a person (25 cents USD).
There are also ferries which cruise the canal behind the temple, and have a stop conveniently located right at Wat Mahabut, though we didn’t wait around for it, as it was a pretty hot day, and we had other items on the agenda. The Shrine of Mae Nak, Bangkok, Thailand – Map View in a larger map Do – Activities & Attractions No matter what really happened, there is a a shrine set up in her honour. It’s taken quite seriously, and no photography inside is to be permitted without special permission. The shrine is located in Wat Mahabut, which is a massive complex of temples, pagodas and shrines.
Inside there are countless paintings of what Mae Nak may have looked like. There are baby toys brought in as offerings. Many cloths, dresses, and gowns are hung everywhere. Colourful ribbons are tied around trees, and incents burn, as money is stuffed into the small shrine. Some people also release fish and other aquatic creatures into the Klong (canal) behind the shrine. I would not suggest partaking in that, mind you, as many of the creatures go into shock as they are not from that ecosystem, and will die only a few meters downstream (greatly defeating the purpose, though tradition seems to trump that).
It is not huge, and found down some small alleys near the temples. It is mostly visited by women, but men are of course allowed to come as well. Stay – Accommodation Coming Soon! Eat – Restaurants Coming Soon! Time – Seasonality & Schedules Coming Soon!
Safety – Possible risks Please Note: Travel inherently comes with an element of risk (just like crossing the road does). You are putting yourself in elements that are unfamiliar and foreign to your usual lifestyle and with that, become more susceptible to fall victim those who try to play off those unfamiliar to their local scams. There are also potential dangers in the environments to which you may not be accustomed to.
Please take extra care in travelling, ensure that you have adequate medical insurance (accidents seem to happen when you least expect them), and have let a trusted colleague, family member or friend know your whereabouts and activities. Where Sidewalks End travel advises you to travel at your own risk, and to be extra aware of your surroundings (without letting it spoiling your time). Pay – How much does it cost? Admission to the shrine is free.
Admission to the temple is also free. If you’d like to make a donation (generally between 20-100 Thai Baht – approximately $1-3 USD), that is generally greatly appreciated. Responsible Travel – Best Practices Coming Soon! Reality Check – Be Aware This was a really interesting day trip in Bangkok. I thought the folklore surrounding the shrine of Mae Nak was quite fascinating as it has some elements of animistic undertones. This may be remnants from what existed in Thailand before Buddhism and Islam were the dominant religions.
The shrine itself is nothing fancy. It’s little more than a slumped building with an eerie set of paintings – though looks aren’t everything. It’s spiritual significance is quite deep, especially in this sub district, though people travel great distances to pay their respects, make offerings and ask of favours from the ghost of Mae Nak. Depending what your motive is in visiting, you may either have a very educational experience, or just find it quite lame. Use your best judgement as to what you like. Granted – I don’t just post anything up here, unless I find it worthwhile myself. WSE Travel Packages This sounds like quite the adventure, right?
We thought so too! Though we realize it can be pretty intimidating to get out there into the world on your own, especially when travelling to some of these off the beaten path locations.
We love it when our readers give it a shot and try it for themselves! In fact, please leave us feedback if you do!! If trying something ‘this’ adventurous on your own is just a bit outside of your comfort zone, WSE Travel is here to help! Follow this link for our ‘’ Tours – packages that are highly personalized and tailored at your request. I’m interested in seeing the shrine but also scared because my mom who is Thai says that it’s not a place to visit if you’ve ever had an abortion or not someone of pure heart or intentions–she will not bless you or want you there. I’m half Thai & grew up in U.S.–but always attracted to paranormal or supernatural but my mom stresses that Mae Nak is not just some spooky story or regular ghost, not something to mess with. I actually made the mistake of just using her name as password recently & something weird happened to my husband.
Sleep paralysis, where black figure was holding him down and trying to go in his stomach & mouth. I told my mom about it & she said to change password because I didn’t have permission to use her name. And call out to her, I’m sorry, I didn’t know. Which, I did & I don’t know if it’s related but I’ll definetely be more catious and respectful especially being half Thai.
My mom told me people in Thailand won’t even name their kids after her because they don’t want her to come around because her spirit is too strong. Some might think it’s all a silly ghost story but I definitely believe the legend about her. I just don’t know if I ever visit Thailand in the future, if I’ll go see her shrine or not. But thanks for sharing your experience and details about it. I enjoyed reading it, as well as, seeing the pictures that you included.
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I am a Brit (no Thai heritage, but some Thai relatives through marriage) and lived in Phra Khanong in the 90s. It’s kind of a weird one how this has spread into the backpacker consciousness as a spot to visit.
Bangkok Ghost Stories
I wonder what captures their imagination about it? It’s not a shrine for women, my aunt told me, but she blesses men who want to get out of the army. She warned me not to go, not because anything bad would happen, but because why would I want to waste my time, hanging around a shrine where people pray for lottery numbers.