This is a translated article from Koosang Koosom Magazine, written by Manop Keosanith written in Thai Language, translated by Ginger.
Goumonthong, or baby ghost spirit has been around for centuries, it is known as a sacred spiritual being and a valuable asset for those that own one, and can be greatly beneficial to the owner. It is one of the baby ghosts that has special power; the most well known one was from the Thai legend of ‘Koun Changh Koun Panh’ that Goumonthong was one of the most powerful items that Koun Panh own, beside his sword and grayish horse.
Truth is, there is another type of baby ghost that is well known in Thai (Lao) as Goumonthong, and that is Lok Grok (Lok Lort in Lao language.) I’m going to take this opportunity to explain about Lok Grok before talking about Goumonthong, that way it’d be easier to understand the story.
Back in the olden days, Thai (Lao) people believe, which you might call it having faith in something, and that is Lok Grok. Lok Grok is actually a stillborn baby, very small in size and it seems that not all the organs are fully formed. Thai (Lao) people believe that whom ever take this stillborn baby, and care for by means of black magic in the spiritual form, then Lok Grok will help them in many ways, such as helping to protect the owner and will warn him if dangers were near, and would also bring many fortunes in various ways.
Overall, having Lok Grok, instead of it being something that’s odd, strange, or even scary because it’s related to ghost, but it’s acceptable in the Thai (Lao) society and it’s considered something good to have, very much like a good luck charm. Those that have Lok Grok are very respectable in the Thai (Lao) society, proud owners you might say.
As I’ve heard or seen, Lok Grok is a stillborn baby that was dried up, doesn’t have any smell, but I’m not so sure because I’ve only seen it from a distance. From what I’ve seen, one was laid on a small blanket and in a glass jar at the Buddha Mantle, or placed in a dark trunk. But if one has Lok Grok, then there’s also responsibility involved, such as providing meal(s) at least once or twice a day, provide small clothing articles or toys that most children would play with.
As far as what types of gift to give Lok Grok, it’s mainly up to you, but the main purpose is to please Lok Grok so that it will love you, and you’ll receive many favors in return.
Continued at Thai (Lao) Baby Ghost Spirit (Lok Grok-Goumonthong) – Part II
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July 30, 2007 at 7:53 pm
amphone
What is the pronunciation for Lok Krok? I may have heard of it. Just don’t ring right some how. Creepy though. I think I will have a nightmare tonight
July 30, 2007 at 9:32 pm
Ginger
It’s called Lok Lort in Lao language; Mor Pee would use these ghosts to spy for them called Prie Gra Sip. Monks or fortune teller would also have Lok Lort, I visited a temple in Long Island, NY once in Dec.2000, and the monk was able to tell me exactly where everything was in my house, as if he were seeing it with his own eyes, the whole time he had his eyes closed, and whispering something to someone and they said it’s the Prie Gra Sip, baby ghost spirit of Lok Lort. I had goose bumps, just the thought that he might be sitting next to me.
July 31, 2007 at 7:47 pm
amphone
I see. There is one monk that I know of. I have not seen him for a while. He resides an hour or so from here. I have not seen him in a little while. He answers questions, if you ask nicely. Fearful of the answer, I don’t ask sometime. He has “pi ya pa” with him. Thats how he was able to see things.
August 1, 2007 at 7:18 am
Thai (Lao) Baby Ghost Spirit (Lok Grok-Goumonthong) – Part II « Nye Noona
[...] Wednesday, August 1st, 2007 in Thai Tradition, Lao Tradition, Ghost story Continued from Part I [...]
August 1, 2007 at 8:47 am
Ginger
Hi Amphone, I’ve never heard of ‘Pi Ya Pa’ before, I always believe that “if you don’t believe, don’t mock,” but I’m very skeptical in what I read or came across in real life, there’re crooks everywhere, in every professions and walk of life and it’s worse in this than anything else because you can’t prove that it exists.
I think part of it might have some truth in it, but a large percentage of foretell is based on speculation by looking at your overall appearances, your eyes and facial expressions and charisma, which can tell a lot about you as an individual, and many times if you don’t have personal problems in real life, then you wouldn’t go to see these people.
Your guess is as good as mine, the universal problems that most people would have are love, marriage, and financials, and so what’s new. I think it’s not so much as foretell for some people that use the service, but they’d go there for psychological reasoning just as some would go see the psychologist for their everyday problems. This is just my opinion.
This story is mainly for educational purposes, to understand a bit better of the Thais and Lao belief, if nothing else, it’s mainly for entertaining.
August 2, 2007 at 12:08 am
amphone
True indeed. I can’t agree with you more. It is why I still able to go to that temple. I dont mock it. Yet I remain in reserve. I don’t want them to feel uncomfortable because they have a hard one on their hands. It is why I don’t go ask them to tell me about me. I feel its hard enough for them already. We can simply ask, “what is the lotto numbers tonight?” Then what? If I do that, I would put them on the spot
August 2, 2007 at 8:19 am
Ginger
Lotto numbers? they can’t tell you this, it’d be against their ‘Sinh’, they might turn into Pee Bpop or something…Lol
August 2, 2007 at 8:37 am
Thai (Lao) Baby Ghost Spirit (Lok Grok-Goumonthong) – Part III « Nye Noona
[...] mentioned in part I that Goumonthong (golden boy or baby ghost) was a powerful being, and the most well known one was [...]
February 9, 2008 at 8:47 am
laosfalang
My wife’s who is Thai just told me her Auntie has one of these in Thailand she has big money to!Weird
February 10, 2008 at 12:53 am
Ginger
Hi Laosfalang thanks for the visit. I grew up in the US, but I don’t find something like this weird at all, mainly because I knew about this when I was little living in Thailand, I lived there for 5 years. I find it fascinating, there are still some around but not as popular as the olden days.
March 7, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Thai (Lao) Baby Ghost Spirit | Jewish Palo Mayombe
[...] Thai (Lao) Baby Ghost Spirit – Goumonthong, or baby ghost spirit has been around for centuries, it is known as a sacred spiritual being and a valuable asset for those that own one, and can be greatly beneficial to the owner. It is one of the baby ghosts that has special power; the most well known one was from the Thai legend of ‘Koun Changh Koun Panh’ that Goumonthong was one of the most powerful items that Koun Panh own, beside his sword and grayish horse. [...]
July 14, 2009 at 1:56 am
Young Goumonthong « Nye Noona
[...] A boy around 3-4 years old, wore JongGraben (cloth wrapped around as pants), round ball hairdo, topless and was holding a remote control toy car with one hand. He stood at the foot of my bed staring at me, I knew at that moment that I had hit the jackpot because he was the Young Goumonthong! [...]