We are checking out the spirit house in my hosts garden. It was bought from Bangkok Thailand - unfortunately it is in the shade of the main house
Thai people believe that there are guardian spirits for different buildings or areas of land. These spirits are wandering spirits that can cause harm or suffering unless gifts are offered to them frequently. It is believed that they influence the future, grant wishes and keep people healthy. The spirit of the land expects to be informed if a building is to be built or extended, or a business started. If the humans do not ask permission, the spirit may cause the venture to fail.
There are nine guardian spirits, each offering a different type of protection. The guardian spirit of houses is called Phra Chaimongkhon (say prah chigh-mong-kon) and is a very powerful spirit. The guardian spirit of gardens and orchards is Phra Than Thirat (say prah tan ti-rat). These two are the only ones to have permanent spirit houses built for them.
Outside each building, big or small, there is a spirit house where the spirits of the house or building live. There are spirit houses near restaurants, caves, and forests and even cities. Most ordinary spirit houses are about the size of a large bird cage standing on a pedestal, though some big buildings have very large and fancy walk-through spirit houses.
A spirit house must not be in the shade of the main building.
The inside of the spirit house is decorated with figurines representing the spirits, holding a sword and a book.
There are usually figures of servants and elephants.
Each day people place flowers, incense and food as offerings to the spirits to keep them in good humour.
An old or damaged spirit house must not be thrown away, but must be placed where other spirits will watch over it, at the foot of a sacred banyan tree or at a wat .
There is even a large spirit house for the whole of Bangkok (the white and gold multi-roofed building left). Once a year the king places offerings in it to ensure continued good fortune for the city.