Pret Ghost

What is a Pret Ghost? Pret is a ghost or spirit that appears in Thai and Buddhist beliefs. Pret are the souls of those who committed grave sins in their previous lives.

Pret, Such as telling lies, cursing one’s parents, or destroying Buddhism. After dying, they first suffer in hell, and once their punishment is over, they return as a Pret, wandering the human world in torment.

• Phi Nang Rum

What Does a Pret Ghost Look Like?

A Pret has a terrifying and tragic appearance.

• incredibly tall, sometimes compared to a building in height
• Skin clinging to bones, thin and emaciated from constant hunger
• Their small mouth, which is only the size of a needle hole, represents their incapacity to consume food.
• Slender fingers and long arms that are frequently clasped together
• Continuously groaning or sobbing, frequently stating, “I am hungry… I am hungry.

Some stories tell that at night there is the sound of ghosts howling, which frightens people.

Where Do People See Prets?

In Thailand, people think that prets can be seen or felt in:

• Temples: Older or more serene temples, especially those close to ancient stupas (chedis)
• Cremation sites or cemeteries
• At night, isolated roads or desolate locations
• Dreams: Some people believe that ghosts will come to their dreams to ask them to do good deeds to send their spirits away.

3 Stories of Real-Life Encounters with Prets

1. The sound of ghosts in the temple – Suphan Buri

Villagers near an old temple say that on dark, moonless nights, they hear a terrifying cry, “Hungry, I’m hungry.”

Monks must chant prayers to send to the spirits. Some people who pass by the temple at night often see a tall figure standing next to the pagoda.

2. Pret Ghost come to dream – Nakhon Si Thammarat

A monk dreamed of a thin, tall, dark-skinned spirit with a fire on its head. The spirit stood there crying and said, “Help me, I have done a lot of evil.

Please do me a favor.” The monk then performed a great chant and never had another dream.

3. Ghosts on the Expressway – Bangkok

A truck driver said that he was driving through a deserted area and saw a large ghostly shadow coming from the back of his truck.

The shadow disappeared as he struggled to drive away in terror. He then told his friends, “I saw it too, around there.”

This is another Thai ghost story. I hope those who love mysterious stories will come back and read the next story.