CCTV footage from Phuket has shown a foreign man removing food and drink offerings from a spirit house outside a home in the Kata area of Karon subdistrict.

The footage was posted on Facebook by user Bank Marlboro on the night of August 5. He said the incident happened outside a friend's home, and shared the clip under the description of a Phuket spirit house theft.

Footage shows man taking offerings

The man is seen walking along the street before changing direction and heading towards the spirit house. He appeared to look around to check whether anyone was watching before approaching the shrine and taking several items.

He removed a small plastic tray containing food and what appeared to be a bottled drink. He then walked to a second spirit house nearby but left after finding that it contained no offerings.

Picture courtesy of Facebook/ Bank Marlboro

In the footage, the foreigner is wearing a long-sleeved shirt with its sleeves rolled up, dark shorts, glasses and trainers. He was carrying two plastic bags.

Spirit houses are common outside Thai homes, businesses and other premises. Food, drinks and other items are often placed there as offerings, and are regarded by many Thais as a gesture of respect towards guardian spirits.

Online reactions range from anger to humour

The video prompted divided reactions from Thai social media users. Some said the act should be regarded as theft regardless of the small value of the food and drink taken.

Others took a more charitable view, suggesting that giving food to a person in need could itself be considered an act of merit.

Many commenters responded with jokes, saying the spirits would follow the man home to reclaim their offerings.

A reminder on local customs

For foreign residents and visitors, the episode is a reminder that spirit houses are not simply decorative garden features. Even where food or drinks appear to have been left unattended, they may have religious or cultural significance to the household or business that placed them there.

Visitors who are unsure about an item left at a shrine should avoid touching or removing it without permission. The same applies to offerings at temples, roadside shrines and other places of worship, where local customs can differ but respect for the site is expected.

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7 August 2026

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Is that so bad? it would seem a better result than protecting it until it rots or the birds and rodents get to it!

Did you palm the occasional fiver from the plate at sunday church too!! 🤣

Edited 1 minute ago1 min by Olmate