Grouping | Legendary creature |
---|---|
Sub grouping | Vampire |
Similar entities | Jiangshi Patasola Shanxiao Gollum |
Folklore | Thai folk mythology & Lao folk mythology |
Other name(s) | Phi Kong Koi |
Country | Thailand, Laos |
Region | Southeast Asia |
Kong koi or Phi Kong Koi (Thai: ผีกองกอย) is a Lao and Thai jungle ghost. Their appearance is not easily characterized, but often described as a phantom with one leg. They move by hopping with one leg and shout, "Koi, koi, koi". Some people believe it has a fly-like tube mouth.[1] Others describe it as looking like monkey or langur. Most agree this ghost is ugly and cannot climb trees,[2] which is unusual in nature. It is believed that the Phi Kong Koi will suck blood from the toes of the sleeping traveler in the jungle; travelers should keep the feet together or cross their feet when sleeping to protect themselves.
The name Phi Kong Koi [3] has several sources. Phi means ghost in the Thai language; some people use the term Phi Pong (ผีโป่ง) or Phi Pong Kang (ผีโป่งค่าง; 'mineral lick ghost') and Phi Teen Diao (ผีตีนเดียว; 'one-footed ghost').[4] The word koi or koy (กอย), as defined by the Royal Institute Dictionary means, "An ethnic group having black skin, curly hair in the Malay Peninsula, also known as Sakai."[5] Sakai, here, most likely refers to, either, the more generally used (at least in Malaysia) Orang Asli, or the Semang.[lower-alpha 1] Luang Pu Waen Suciṇṇo (former abbot of Wat Doi Mae Pang, Chiang Mai province) said that when he traveled in the jungle in Khammouane, Laos, with Luang Pu Tue Ajala Thamฺmo, they fought with many Phi Kong Koi at night. He described the Phi Kong Koi as being shaped like children of about 13–14 years old. They were thin with a bulging belly, dark brown skin, dark hair, and a chubby nose. They were armed with a small crossbows or arrows and shouted "Koi". Luang Pu Waen and fellow travelers were meditating, which protected them from the Phi Kong Koi. At dawn, the Phi Kong Koi surrendered and invited both of them to their home.
Some have suggested, based on this story, that the Phi Kong Koi are really the Kha Ra Dae (ข่าระแด) an ethnic group. This indicates that in the above story, they were hunting and possibly killing intruding humans and taking the meat to eat.[8]
In the faith of Tai Dam people in Nong Sung district, Mukdahan province, they believe that Phi Kong Koi is a long-haired, very small (childlike) woman with a backwards foot. They speak the opposite of reality.[9]
In September 2016, strange footprint were found at a cave in the forest in Loei province. Believed to be the footprints of Phi Kong Koi, the director of a local cultural agency said Phi Kong Koi are real and that they are ethnic group whose has not been seen for a long time.[10]
Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kong koi.
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