Thailand is deeply superstitious — understanding common beliefs helps make sense of everyday Thai behaviour.
9 is the luckiest number (neung means 'to proceed'); 13 is also lucky (Western bad luck doesn't apply); car plates, phone numbers, and addresses with 9s command premiums.
Each day of the week has a colour — wearing the 'right' colour on the right day is lucky; Monday = yellow; Tuesday = pink; Friday = blue.
Every property has one; must be respected and offered to; repositioning a spirit house requires a ceremony.
Thai ghost beliefs are pervasive — Phi Krasue (floating head), Phi Tai Hong (person who died suddenly), Phi Pop (possession spirit); taken seriously across all social classes.
Nine is considered Thailand's luckiest number (it sounds like "moving forward" in Thai) — phone numbers and car plates containing multiple 9s genuinely command higher resale prices; see the full numbers and luck guide for the complete system.
Nearly every building — homes, offices, hotels, even skyscrapers — has a small shrine outside for the land's resident spirits; see the spirit houses guide for what they mean and why they're maintained daily.
Small blessed pendants worn for protection or luck are a genuine, widespread practice across all social classes — see the amulet markets guide for where this collector culture is most visible.