Thai Superstition

[bangkokrick]

Hi All,

We just move the Huay Yai a few months ago, so living in a new area for us. As we were driving down the road one sunny day, my wife told me to 'beep' the horn.

I said why there is nothing on the road. She became very agitated and said 'beep' the horn in a stern voice. I obliged even though I did not know why I had to do it.

I asked her what all this was about and she replied that there is a 'snake house' at the side of the road. The story goes that some years ago people were going to build on the land, but when they started to excavate they discovered 'Gnu maak maak' so they built a snake house over the area. I have since noticed that many Thais 'beep' their horns when passing this 'snake house'. This is apparently to pay respects to the snakes, so that they keep away from you and your property.

Anybody heard similar?

The odd thing is that when we move onto the house we found a cobra outside the back door, which the locals dealt with for us. Since 'beeping' the horn when passing the snake house we have not had any more snakes around. My wife says that this is proof that this practice works.

Cheers, Rick

[bkkjames]

I suggest you keep trying beeping your horn until you arrive home and find a snake there.

Don't fall for the line "Guess the snakes didn't hear you" or "Perhaps the snakes weren't home when you honked" from the Mrs though.

[pnustedt]

I saw a very large snake on a plot of land we own and, apparently, that was a good omen - my wife insisted that we build a house on the exact spot where I saw the snake. Strange thing is that the first week we were in it we were struck by lightning! I had installed a lightning conductor tho.

The plot is about 15 rai and used to be teeming with frogs (it overlooks rivers) but use of herbicides etc. all but decimated their population. We have now banned their use and the frogs are coming back - so are the snakes.

[JusMe]

" Since 'beeping' the horn when passing the snake house we have not had any more snakes around."

And I have a dog that's incredibly good at keeping polka dotted kangaroos and pink elephants and purple people eaters away from my back door!

Proof? None there that I've been able to see

[bangkokrick]

" Since 'beeping' the horn when passing the snake house we have not had any more snakes around."

And I have a dog that's incredibly good at keeping polka dotted kangaroos and pink elephants and purple people eaters away from my back door!

Proof? None there that I've been able to see

Hey Justme. The wife said that not me, she is convinced that this is the case. Anyway this is Thailand so the roo's might arrive tomorrow.

Cheers, Rick

[yabaaaa]

Move to another villgae telling them first they are all nuts or do what I did buy a big piece of land (yes via wife) out of a village and live away from other people........awlays best. Country bumpkin rural superstitious drivel. IMO like sheep

[p_brownstone]

I must admit I have never heard the term "snake house", however:

Hamlet:

And therefore as a stranger give it welcome.

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,

Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

You are in Thailand - go with the flow as they say - why worry about the small stuff?

Patrick

[Gary A]

At least my wife doesn't kill snakes. Most people in our area kill and eat them. We were walking home one afternoon when I spotted a BIG snake. I pointed at it and my wife quickly pulled down my arm and told me not to watch the snake. She said that one of the neighbors would wonder what I was looking at and go kill the snake.

We were sitting on the front porch when a harmless bronzeback came on the porch. My wife told me that we will have good luck. Of course when the snake saw us he left quickly.

[bangkokrick]

I must admit I have never heard the term "snake house", however:

Hamlet:

And therefore as a stranger give it welcome.

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,

Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

You are in Thailand - go with the flow as they say - why worry about the small stuff?

Patrick

I am not at all worried about it, just curios to know if anyone else has any more info on the so called 'snake house'

Cheers, Rick

[lazygourmet]

When I was living on Koh Phangan, my dog and her friends used to take care of them.

[LennyW]

Every body pays respect to that "snake house" on the Huay Yai road by beeping their horn when they pass it.

I dont think it is really anything to do with snakes per say, although the new shrine they are constructing does have some prolific snake like charachters adorning it, maybe just an over emphasis on the Naga mythical culture.

Anyhoos, what harm can a beep beep do, better than taking both hands of the handlebars of motorcycle to do a wai - yes??

[Soutpeel]

Anyhoos, what harm can a beep beep do,

Getting a knife in the chest, shot at or beaten up springs to mind

[LennyW]

Anyhoos, what harm can a beep beep do,

Getting a knife in the chest, shot at or beaten up springs to mind

Not in this particular circumstance methinks!!

[Mosha]

The road side shrines, I beep beep. It keeps her happy, and she's doing the cooking.

[bangkokrick]

Every body pays respect to that "snake house" on the Huay Yai road by beeping their horn when they pass it.

I dont think it is really anything to do with snakes per say, although the new shrine they are constructing does have some prolific snake like charachters adorning it, maybe just an over emphasis on the Naga mythical culture.

Anyhoos, what harm can a beep beep do, better than taking both hands of the handlebars of motorcycle to do a wai - yes??

Anyhoos, what harm can a beep beep do, better than taking both hands of the handlebars of motorcycle to do a wai - yes??

Agreed but I would not put anything past the Thai motorcycle riders!

Cheers, Rick

[bangkokrick]

Anyhoos, what harm can a beep beep do,

Getting a knife in the chest, shot at or beaten up springs to mind

No there is a thought! I will beep quietly in the future.

Cheers, Rick