Neurotic and psychotic states attributed to Thai "Phii Pob" spirit possession.

In Thailand, the term "Phii" refers to spirits and ghosts to which are generally attributed power over human beings. In the present, spirit possession is usually found in rural areas. However among several spirits, there is one particularly interesting spirit selected for this presentation, the phii pob. The "Phii Pob" is a common spirit in the Northeast, North and some provinces in the Central part of Thailand (Suwanlert, 1972). Thai believers consider that the phii pob differs from other spirits. It originates in a living person, then conceals itself in the body of that person, who is called th originating host; it is believed that the phii pob hiding within a person can leave the body of that person to possess another, who is called the possessed host. The victims almost always are females.