We are in Bangkok, Sathon, Oaks Residences, 14th floor. In front of our residence is an open space where construction will start. In the middle of the open space stands a lonely tree.
Cars come in, and people put up umbrellas and tables, nicely decorated.
Then monks come in, and take place on the chairs under the umbrellas.
One of the monks instructs to put the tables close to the tree, and put all the offerings on the table under the tree.
Then a lengthy ceremony starts, with lots of praying.
It is clear that the ceremony is about the spirits that inhabit the tree.
Since the tree will be removed in order to start the constructions, the spirits need to find a new home.
After the praying and the offering, a white wire is placed from the place of the tree and surrouding the property. It must be a guidance for the spirits to leave the place and not come back.
In Bangkok, people still consider trees as a highly spiritual place. Often the trees carry colorful bandages, so that the spirits are comfortable in their tree. Some say they can see the spirits.
Bangkok, city of angels and spirits. There still are trees, and nowadays the new constructions have rooftop gardens. New places for the spirits to live in.
