Guman Thong: Thailand Black Magic

The occult Thai tradition of the kuman thong, or golden boy, originated in Sunthon Phu's classic 19th-century story Khun Chang, Khun Phaen and has since become a widespread belief. THE OCCULT: When a monk in Saraburi was arrested three years ago for stealing the corpse of a child and roasting it, the concept of 'kuman thong' came under the spotlight. The monk's ghoulish attempt to conjure up the protective child spirit was an extreme expression of a widespread Thai belief inspired by a 19th-century Do Thais believe in the occult? Ask someone in the market, where the average level of education is likely to be low, if he believes in the supernatural and the answer is almost certain to be yes. Thais who studied to a more advanced level will probably answer that the believe in some occult phenomena and not in others. A politician will most likely deny holding any superstitious beliefs. But should he be appointed to head a ministry, observe that he will still be very careful to pay respect the appropriate spirit house before assuming his new post.