Thailand's spirit mediums (Maw Phi) bridge Buddhist and animist traditions — a fascinating and serious practice.
Maw Phi (spirit doctors) perform ceremonies to diagnose spirit-caused illness, communicate with ancestors, and resolve misfortune — they operate in communities across all social classes.
A medium enters a trance state, becomes possessed by a deity or spirit, and speaks — clients bring questions and offerings; the medium may recommend corrective actions.
Several active shrines in Bangkok where spirit medium ceremonies occur regularly — the Erawan Shrine in Pathum Wan is the most famous public example of spirit propitiation.
Spirit medium practice has been extensively studied by anthropologists — Patpong-area spirit shrines, Chinese-Thai community mediums, and female mediums have all received academic attention.
