Yaa Naak's influence on Thai people’s beliefs

Abstract

The belief about Mae Naak has long been one of the beliefs that stay with Thai society for a very long time. Story of Mae Naak is the legend about a woman who is jealous of her husband. The story has been passed down for more than one hundred years and usually spread in the form of word of mouth or oral literature. The belief about Mae Naak is still presented in Thai’s society. Mae Naak’s shrine is located on Wat Mahabut, Suan Laung district, Bangkok. This shrine is one of the most worshipped shrines for the local and tourists.  People who come to worship the shrine will respectfully call Mae Naak as “Yaa Naak”. The influence of Yaa Naak that affects Thai people’s belief is showed as 1) The influence about love life; Yaa Naak’s shrine represents as an eternal love for the couple. But to make that happen, the couple must have “honesty” in each other. 2). The influence for Thai men who are not willing to get enlisted into the army during the army conscript as Yaa Naak doesn’t like the military service as it caused separation between Yaa Naak and her husband. Finally, 3). The influence about fortune, people came to this shrine to pay respect and wish to win the lottery for fortune. Nevertheless, it is up to the personal beliefs. But many came here to pay respect for self-prosperity and wish to the peace of mind.