5 Urban Legends You Will Hear In Bangkok

Urban legends sometimes have underlying eerie truths, while others seem too mystical or otherworldly to be true. Decide for yourself when you hear these five urban legends from Bangkok.

1. Sathorn Unique Tower

Building

Otherwise known as the Ghost Tower, the Sathorn Unique Tower has become quite popular amongst those who are superstitious and visiting the City of Angels. The tower is now an abandoned skeleton of what was supposed to become some of the most luxurious living spaces in the city. The 1997 Asian Financial Crisis set the Ghost Tower’s sad fate in motion, and the towering building became a place for photographers and tourists to explore. There are a number of reasons as to why the building is apparently haunted, including the death of a Swedish man by suicide whose body was found inside the abandoned tower. Another reason is because the architect of the building, Rangan Torsuwan, was arrested for being part of an assassination plot but was later acquitted in 2010. The building is also said to have been built on ancient burial grounds, but that is just a rumor, of course.

266/14-15, Soi Siam Square 3, Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan, Khet Pathumwan, Bangkok

Rooms with a view | © Courtesy of Earth-Bound Misfit, I/Flickr

Mae Nak Phra Khanong

One of the Kingdom’s most popular ghosts is that of Mae Nak and her child. The story takes place in 19th century Bangkok. The capital used to be known as the Venice of the East because of the many waterways and canals that cut through the city, most of which have been filled in because of Bangkok’s now urban decor. Back then, however, the city was a crisscrossed checkerboard of waterways.

Supernatural Dolls

Never did a toy carry so much significance. Visitors to Thailand may come across lifelike dolls being treated as if they were real children. These dolls are known as luk thep, meaning child angels. Many Thai people are proud owners of these dolls in the hope that they will bring good luck and prosperity. Owners believe the dolls to be possessed by friendly spirits, and that they bring good luck when times get hard. The closer an owner resembles their own doll, the more luck it will bring to that person. The spirits enter the dolls through blessings given by Buddhist monks, who say a prayer and have an anointing ritual, otherwise known as plook sek.

2. Fertility Shrine

Shrine

In Thailand, some believe that women’s fertility is boosted by visiting the Chao Mae Tuptim Shrine. Otherwise known as the Bangkok Phallic Shrine – said to honor the female fertility spirit, Chao Mae Tubtim. It is a strange compilation of penises, of varying shapes, sizes, and colors. Women who want to become pregnant leave things like lotus flowers and jasmine. Those who are successful and become pregnant after visiting this shrine usually return to it and offer a new phallus in thanks.

3. Lak Mueang

Shrine

Lak Mueang, also known as the City Pillar Shrine, is so much more than that. Visitors to Thailand will find these in several cities, and they are usually made from teak or sandalwood. These pillars are said to house guardian spirits. The bigger the pillar, the more powerful the guardians, which protect the surrounding city from things like war and storms. The city pillar shrine in Bangkok is located in Rattanakosin, otherwise known as the Old City. Legend has it that the original Lak Mueang was built in the wrong place, but it was moved after three snakes came out of the ground as a warning. Some believed that this was a sign that Bangkok would not remain the capital of Thailand for long. Today, many Thais go to Lak Mueang, just as they would a temple, to pray and offer things like food and flowers to the spirits.

2 Lak Muang Rd, Khwaeng Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200

Lak Muang (City Pillar Shrine) behind the elephants statue | © Courtesy of Jorge Láscar/Flickr

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