Mae Nak Phra Khanong
Thai ghost whose undying love inspired enduring folklore and popular culture.
Mae Nak Phra Khanong, also known simply as Mae Nak or Nang Nak, is a well-known Thai ghost whose story is based on events said to have taken place during the reign of King Rama IV. According to local folklore, she was a beautiful young woman who died in childbirth while her husband was away at war, and her undying love for him led to her spirit haunting the Phra Khanong area. Her tale has become a lasting part of Thai culture, inspiring numerous films, television series, and other media.
- Field
- Folklore / Ghost legend
- Nationality
- Thai
- Known for
- Being a famous ghost whose story of undying love and haunting is widely known in Thailand
- Associated location
- Phra Khanong Canal, Bangkok
- Shrine location
- Wat Mahabut, Suan Luang district, Bangkok
Lore & Background
Mae Nak lived on the banks of the Phra Khanong Canal with her husband, Mak. While Nak was pregnant, Mak was conscripted into the Thai Army and sent to war, where he was seriously wounded. While he was being nursed back to health in central Bangkok, Nak and their child both died during childbirth. When Mak returned home, he found his loving wife and child waiting for him. Neighbors warned him he was living with a ghost, but he rebuffed them. One day, as Nak was preparing nam phrik, she dropped a lime off the porch and stretched her arm to an impossible length to retrieve it, revealing her ghostly nature. Mak fled, hiding behind a Blumea balsamifera bush (which ghosts fear) and then into Wat Mahabut temple, which as holy ground a ghost cannot enter.
Reader's Guide
The story of Mae Nak Phra Khanong has enjoyed sustained popularity because her undying devotion to her husband inspires people of all ages. Prince Damrong, a son of King Mongkut, recalled that when he was a child, he asked Wat Phra Kaeo visitors who was the most popular person in their opinion, and most answered 'Mae Nak'. Her shrine at Wat Mahabut, relocated in 1997 to the nearby Suan Luang district, remains a site of devotion where women seek easy childbirth or for their husband to be exempted from military conscription. Offerings include colored cloth, fruit, lotuses, incense, toys for her child, and fine dresses. The story has been adapted into many films, television series, and other media, including the 1999 film 'Nang Nak' and the 2013 comedy horror 'Pee Mak'. A historian, Anek Nawikamul, found an 1899 newspaper article suggesting the story may have been invented by Nak's son to prevent his father from remarrying, with the husband named Chum, not Mak.
Did You Know?
- According to Thai folklore, ghosts are afraid of sticky Blumea leaves, which Mak used to hide from Nak.
- Offerings at the shrine include fish purchased live at markets and released into Phra Khanong Canal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mae Nak Phra Khanong?
She is one of Thailand's most recognized ghost figures, a spirit said to originate from the era of King Rama IV. Her name shortens to "Mae Nak" or "Nang Nak," referencing the Phra Khanong canal area in Bangkok where her legend is set.
What happened to Mae Nak before she became a ghost?
According to the folklore, she was a young woman whose husband was away fighting in war when she died during childbirth. Her spirit, driven by an unbroken devotion to him, remained in the Phra Khanong area rather than passing on.
Where can fans visit a shrine dedicated to Mae Nak?
A well-known shrine honoring her spirit is located at Wat Mahabut in the Suan Luang district of Bangkok. The broader legend is tied to the Phra Khanong Canal in the same city.
What is Mae Nak Phra Khanong known for in Thai folklore?
She is celebrated as a ghost whose story centers on undying romantic love and a lingering presence in the world of the living. Her legend makes her one of the most iconic supernatural figures in Thai popular culture.
How has Mae Nak's story influenced Thai media and culture?
Her tale has been adapted into multiple films, television series, and other forms of popular entertainment over the decades. The story endures as a staple of Thai ghost lore and continues to resonate with audiences across the country.
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