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There is often a certain spirit associated to a certain
type of tree such as banana tree. นางไม้
or "NANG MAI" is a female spirit inhabiting a tree. Other famous
spirits are นางตะเคียน
or "NANG TAKHIAN" located in hopea odorata trees and
นางตานี or "NANG TANEE"
located in banana trees.
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| Mae Takhian Thong |
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It means that a spirit inhabits the tree. Of course the tree shall not be cut without warning the spirit in order to let him find another tree.
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The large tree located in the shrine is believed to contain a female spirit because
offerings people give to this tree are all female items.
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| Mae Takhian Thong |
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Offerings have to be made before a takhian tree is cut down. Mae Takhian Thong gives out dreadful crying sound if proper homage is not paid to her. She sings mournful songs to attract wandering men. As men go nearer her, she will draw them in a fond embrace and squeeze the life out of them.
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It said that villagers would report hearing crying sounds from the tree.
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| Mae Takhian Thong |
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In year 2003 THAI RATH newspaper has initiated an investigation
into a story about five young women dancing half-nude to thank a haunted tree for helping them
win a lottery. It turned out that the teenage girls, who are dancers from Bangkok, did not win
a lottery but were hired by someone to show up at the takhian tree in Nakhon Pathom's Kamphaeng
Saen district and perform the naked ritual.
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| Mae Takhian Thong |
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The girls were hired at Bt200 each to go there and strip. The men who were watching began started to push forward causing a small stampede.
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The controversial ceremony coincided with efforts by a local temple to promote the
takhian tree as one that can suggest winning lottery numbers to worshippers.
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| Mae Takhian Thong |
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When making a pledge with the Takhian tree, worshippers should hold to their promise.
Otherwise they would face a curse from the Takhian tree.
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| Mae Takhian Thong |
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Mae Takhian Thong usually takes the form of a beauty maiden who sometimes makes a crying sound when the tree is felled.
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Offerings that people give to this tree are all female items, including
many beautiful traditional Thai dresses.
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| Mae Takhian Thong |
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Another "Chao Mae Takhian Tong" shrine can be found at Wat Sung, Tambon Sao Hai. It is a large pillar, which is believed to be hosted by a female spirit also. Villagers would report hearing crying sounds. Hence, the name of the Tambon as Tambon "Sao Ronghai" (crying lady) and its subsequent name of Amphoe "Sao Hai".
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The Takhian (hopea odorata) tree is now said to dead. According to local villagers,
the spirit has moved to a new tree.
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| Mae Takhian Thong |
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Previously, Thai villagers believe that "Mae Takhian Thong" stays in old hopea trees and don't dare to use this wood to build house as it shall bring bad luck.
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The spirit Mae Takhian Thong has now moved to this new young trees.
Offrands and statuettes can be seen under the tree.
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| Mae Takhian Thong |
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Flowers, food, drinks and also little figurines representing servants, dancers,
elephants, horses, cars are given to the spirit of the tree. The dancers
shall entertain him. The elephants and horses shall transport him.
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| Mae Takhian Thong |
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Many Thai Buddhist temples contain "Mae Takhian" shrine.
Those shrines make a lot of money for the temple as the worshippers make donations
through them.
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| Mae Takhian |
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This "Mae Takhian" shrine includes many offerings related to women
make-up and dressing tables.
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| Mae Takhian |
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When visiting "Mae Takhian" shrine, some local people suggest to
switch off mobile phones so as not to interfere with the spirit world's signal.
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| Mae Takhian |
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Nowadays "Chao Pho Khao Chang" shrine (ศาลเจ้าพ่อเขาช้าง)
located in Sattahip province is famous for its "Mae Takhian" tree.
Fly there with
Google Earth |
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| Mae Takhian |
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Some female worshippers were told in a dream that a log's spirit journeyed on rivers. When a log came ashore, a shrine was created.
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Worshippers shall rub on the "Ton Takhian" log, pray to the spirit of the log, and
the lucky number magically appears on their fingertips.
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| Mae Takhian |
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Gamblers expect that the spirit of "Mae Takhian" shall give them a
lucky lottery number. Certain bookmakers are reluctant to take any bets if the
customer mentions he has visited famous "Mae Takhian" shrines.
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| Mae Takhian |
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"Ton Takien" shrines are logs from hopea trees found in some
Thai Buddhist temples.
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| Mae Takhian |
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In difficult times, some worshippers travelled to many Buddhist temples
and shrines in the hope it will bring them employment.
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| Mae Takhian |
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Worshippers touch the bark of the "Ton Takien" log hoping to see
lottery lucky numbers on the tips of their fingers.
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| Mae Takhian Thong |
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| Home > Religions > Animism > Takhian spirit |
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