The Origin of Mae Nak
In 19th century Thailand, a gorgeous young woman named Mae Nak lived on the shores of the Phra Khanong Canal in Siam. Nak was deeply in love with her husband and soon after some time, the couple would be overjoyed by news that Nak was pregnant.
However, soon the ecstatic couple would learn that Mae’s husband, Tid Mak would be sent to war. Mae Nak was upset, but knew she needed to be strong.
Mae Nak and her baby Die
As time progressed though, tragedy would strike. Mae Nak would go into labor and both her and the baby would pass away.
Her body was buried in the cemetery at Wat Mahabut. However, the unconditional love for her husband persisted. A deceased Mae Nak refused to move on and as such she resumed her responsibilities doing chores while waiting for her husband to return home.
Once the villagers saw her, they were terrified, and several priests were brought in to try and expel the ghost from her home.
Tid Mak Returns home
None were successful and soon her husband would return home.
When he arrived home, Tid Mak would be introduced to his newborn child and reignite with his loving wife.
However, soon the people of the village would tell him the horrifying truth- that his wife and baby were dead and that he had been speaking with their ghosts.
He didn’t believe it though as he had been interacting with them and all seemed normal. Mae Nak had been able to keep up the appearance she was human, and didn’t possess any extraordinary abilities.
That would all change one day though.
While Mae Nak was cooking one day, she dropped a lime, and it rolled off the porch to the ground. Nak reached down for it and stretched her arm to an incredible length in order to pick it up. While doing this, Tid Mak was returning home and witnessed the grotesque event. He realized then and there the villagers were right, Mae Nak was a ghost.
Tid Mak Plans his Escape
That night Tid Mak, terrified from the ghost, attempted to flee his home without Nak knowing. However, as he fled Nak began to understand what was happening and pursued him. But Tid Mak went the one place, his wife couldn’t enter: the temple.
Mae Nak Becomes Enraged
After Mae Nak discovered what had happened, she set out on a spree of revenge terrorizing the people of the village in retribution for her husband leaving her.
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In response, the villagers brought in an extremely powerful priest who would trap Mae Nak’s ghost and trap it in a jar. It was then thrown in a river, but at some point, someone somewhere let it out.
At this time, Tid Mak had moved on and began seeing a new woman. When Mae Nak found out she became enraged and killed the innocent woman. After this, Mae Nak began torturing the people of the village once again.
To calm her, a monk promised her that if she left the villagers alone, she would rejoin her husband in the next life. This settled her, and the destruction ended.
Mae Nak Legend today
Thailand has many tales of ghosts and spirits, but the legend of Mae Nak is thought to be the most famous. It is said in Thai culture woman who die in childbirth tend to be the most dreadful and vicious of all spirits.
Today Mae Nak has shrine located (perhaps ironically) at Wat Mahabut. Expecting mothers sometimes visit and ask the spirit of Mae Nak to protect them in labor. Young men ask the spirit to prevent them from being drafted into war.
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To date, she continues to be one of the most popular legends in Thailand.
