Thailand is known for its tropical beaches, mouth-watering street food, and serene temples. But beneath the beauty lies a shadowy side. A spooky underbelly, if you will. Welcome to the haunted Thailand tourists don’t read about in glossy brochures. In this post, we’re diving headfirst into ghost stories, haunted hotels, cursed highways, and spiritual shrines that will send shivers down your spine – and maybe make you laugh nervously too.
Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a ghost hunter, or just someone who enjoys telling spooky stories at sleepovers (admit it), this guide is for you.
👀 What are the Most Haunted Places in Thailand?
1. Mae Nak Shrine – Bangkok's Most Famous Ghost Story

Where: Wat Mahabut, Sukhumvit Soi 77, Bangkok
Who: Mae Nak, Thailand’s most beloved ghost wife
Legend has it, Mae Nak died in childbirth while her husband was away at war. When he returned, she pretended to be alive and carried on as if nothing had happened – until he realized she was, well, see-through. She’s now honored at Wat Mahabut shrine in Bangkok, where locals still bring offerings to this day in exchange for favors and lottery luck.
Is the ghost real? Depends on who you ask. But thousands visit yearly, and no one dares speak ill of her. Superstition level: 11/10.
Q: Is Mae Nak a real ghost?
A: While no one has captured her on film, her story is deeply rooted in Thai folklore and believed by many locals.
2. Phuket’s Haunted Hill – The Curse of Kathu

Kathu District is infamous for a mysterious “crying woman” that tourists and locals alike claim to hear at night – especially on the winding hill roads. Motorcycle accidents here are eerily common, and some say it’s the ghost of a scorned lover who causes them.
Drive with caution – and maybe bring an exorcist.
Q: Why is Kathu Hill in Phuket considered haunted?
A: Locals blame a ghostly woman who causes fatal accidents by appearing suddenly in the road.
3. Sathorn Unique Tower – Bangkok’s Ghost Tower

Ah yes, the Sathorn Unique Tower – a 49-story skeleton of a luxury condo project abandoned after the 1997 financial crash. Now it stands like a haunted monument to failed dreams. Urban explorers report seeing shadowy figures, hearing whispers, and feeling an overwhelming sense of dread.
That might be ghosts – or the sheer amount of pigeon droppings.
Fun Fact: In 2014, a Swedish backpacker was found dead inside. No foul play was discovered, but the event fueled its haunted reputation.
Q: Can you visit Bangkok’s Ghost Tower?
A: Officially, it’s off-limits. Unofficially, adventurous souls have snuck in – but beware of fines, ghosts, and poor structural integrity.
4. The Cursed Highway – Route 100
Nicknamed the “Thailand Bermuda Triangle,” Route 100 between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai is notorious for fatal crashes and ghostly sightings. Drivers report phantom hitchhikers, ghostly fog, and sudden vehicle failures – often near a particular bend in the road.
Pro tip: If your GPS says “turn back,” listen to it.
5. Suvarnabhumi Airport – Haunted by Construction Ghosts

Yup, Thailand’s main airport is said to be haunted. During its construction, workers claimed to see spirits, and over 100 monks were called in to bless the site. But strange noises, crying children, and vanishing shadows persist.
Haunted layovers? Now that’s next-level travel stress.
Q: Why is Suvarnabhumi Airport believed to be haunted?
A: Built on old cemeteries, the land is said to be cursed, with spiritual disturbances reported since construction.
6. Chiang Mai’s Doi Suthep Temple – Spiritual or Spooky?

Doi Suthep is majestic by day – but by night, eerie tales emerge. Some visitors claim to hear chanting when no one’s around. Others feel “watched.” Even monks have confessed to sensing unexplained energies.
Ghost monks? Now that’s discipline from the afterlife.
7. Thawi Watthana Abandoned House – Bangkok’s Urban Legend
A lesser-known haunt, this decrepit house is rumored to be cursed. Teenagers dare each other to spend a night inside. Most don’t make it past midnight. Locals claim the house “chooses” who enters – and who leaves.
Best bring snacks, a flashlight, and possibly a priest.
8. Ramkamhaeng University – Exams Aren’t the Only Scary Thing Here

Students swear the campus is haunted, especially the auditorium. Apparitions of a female student and a headless man have been reported. Creepy? Definitely. But let’s be real – nothing is scarier than failing finals.
9. The Haunted Hotel Scene – Beware the Bargain Rooms
Thailand’s hotel haunts are a genre of their own. From Bangkok to Chiang Mai, countless travelers report waking up to see shadowy figures, hearing doors slam, or worse – feeling their bed shake in the middle of the night.
And no, that wasn’t an earthquake.
🤔 Why Is Thailand So Haunted?
Thai culture is deeply spiritual. Ghost stories (known as “phi” tales) are part of everyday life. With a strong belief in karma, reincarnation, and the afterlife, it’s no wonder spirits stick around – especially if their departure from this world was… complicated.
Shrines, spirit houses, and offerings are everywhere. If you see a red Fanta at a tiny roadside altar, that’s not a quirky decoration – it’s for the ghosts. Apparently, they love red soda. (No, seriously.)
🔮 What to Do If You Encounter a Ghost in Thailand?
Stay calm. Screaming usually doesn’t help. (Unless you’re in a horror movie.)
Don’t challenge it. Thai ghosts do not appreciate being taunted.
Seek a monk or spiritual healer. They know what to do.
Offer respect. Say a prayer or leave a small offering. Ghost etiquette matters!
Q: What’s the proper way to deal with a ghost in Thailand?
A: Stay respectful, seek local spiritual help, and don’t provoke it. Most ghosts just want acknowledgment or peace.
✨ Tips for Visiting Haunted Places in Thailand
Go during the day (unless you’re filming a ghost-hunting YouTube special).
Don’t trespass. Ghosts are scary, but Thai police are scarier.
Bring offerings. Flowers, incense, or red Fanta usually work.
Be culturally respectful. Ghost tourism is fun, but some places are sacred.
😂 Funny Superstitions About Thai Ghosts
Ghosts love red Fanta because it resembles blood. (They’re not vampires, just… into color schemes.)
Some believe ghosts travel via electrical lines. So if your lights flicker, it might not be the voltage.
Thai ghosts have a fashion sense. Mae Nak always appears in traditional Thai dress. Imagine being stylish after death.
👻 Is Ghost Tourism a Thing in Thailand?
Absolutely. Many haunted spots have become mini-pilgrimages for locals and tourists alike. From horror-themed cafes to ghost-walking tours in Bangkok, spooky travel is big business—and getting bigger.
📌 Summary: Thailand’s Spookiest Spots to Add to Your Itinerary (If You Dare)
Haunted Place | Location | Why It’s Scary |
---|---|---|
Mae Nak Shrine | Bangkok | Ghost wife with loyalty issues |
Ghost Tower (Sathorn Unique) | Bangkok | Unfinished skyscraper of sadness |
Route 100 | Chiang Mai-Chiang Rai | Phantom hitchhikers galore |
Suvarnabhumi Airport | Bangkok | Spirits and construction curses |
Doi Suthep Temple | Chiang Mai | Monk ghosts with a taste for mystery |
Kathu Hill | Phuket | Haunted hairpin turns |
Ramkamhaeng University | Bangkok | Student ghosts cramming eternally |
💬 We Want to Hear From You!
Have you ever visited a haunted place in Thailand? Did you feel a cold chill down your spine – or was that just the A/C? Maybe you’ve had a supernatural encounter of your own?
👉 Share your story in the comments below! Let’s see who dares to tell the spookiest tale…