Knock three times before entering the room? 7 things you should know about staying in guesthouses—believe it or not

▲Illustration of a Japanese-style tatami room (Photo / Reporter You t
ru)

Photos and text byAilishi

Sometimes when traveling, you might encounter some unbelievable situations during check-in. In fact, whether you're staying in hotels or guesthouses at home or abroad, there are always some basic things to keep in mind. Below are some accommodation tips shared by Hu Fubang (Brother Bang), who works in the Buddhist supplies industry, for your reference.

"Those of us who frequently travel to Thailand have all encountered such things to some extent. It’s not necessarily that only certain hotels have paranormal incidents. Let me simply share some basic things to keep in mind when staying in overseas hotels or guesthouses:

1. If you have religious beliefs, bring your own religious amulet.

2. The first thing you should do when entering a hotel room is to knock three times to let any non-physical guests know that you’re about to enter. It’s very impolite to just burst in as soon as the door opens.

3. If you feel the room is strange, you can first ask the front desk if you can change rooms. Of course, if you don’t have a valid reason, they might not accommodate you, but if you haven’t stayed for long, they’ll usually allow it.

4. If the room really can’t be changed, hold the amulet or Buddhist talisman you brought with you and pray to the divine beings, letting the non-physical guests in the room know that you’re only staying for one or two nights before leaving.If we’ve caused any disturbance, please don’t mind.

5. When sleeping, place the amulet or Buddhist talisman beside your bed or under your pillow. This uses positive energy to protect your body and keep negative energy away—you’ll usually sleep through the night without issues.

6. When leaving, remember to thank these non-physical guests, but never say goodbye—just saying thank you is enough.

7. It’s best not to buy random items from street stalls in Thailand, especially religious artifacts or even Buddhist talismans—it’s hard to explain, so just avoid buying them, as it’s not a good idea."

In short, it's about mutual respect. Brother Bang says that staying in accommodations abroad can actually be quite worry-free.

▲Buddhist ritual instruments (Photo / Reporter Yan Xintong)

Besides the above-mentioned precautions, there are others, such as: after entering the room, flush the toilet and put the lid down to symbolize washing away impurities; place your removed shoes or slippers spread out or upside-down to prevent spiritual guests from causing trouble; don’t let water sit in the bathtub overnight, fold clothes neatly instead of hanging them—the water surface is considered a passage for spirits; and of course, never tell ghost stories in the hotel, as it might attract other spiritual listeners.

Some people carry ritual objects for protection while traveling, such as amulets, Buddhist talismans, crosses, or Bibles. Praying before sleep is also said to have a protective effect against evil. These methods can all help ensure safety during your journey.