one of my favorite things about SE Asia are the ubiquitous spirit houses.
here is one of my favorites. (dont worry - i didnt try to buy it!) its unusual in that it is hanging up instead of on a pedestal. if you can enlarge the photo, you will see some of its decorations/offerings: candy, flowers, fruit, and a tiny police car. sometimes there are cigarettes and small shot glasses of liquor.
from Wikipedia:
A spirit house or san phra phum in Thai (Thai ศาลพระภูมิ) is a shrine to animist spirits found in the Southeast Asian countries of Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. Most houses and businesses have a spirit house placed in an auspicious spot, most often in a corner of the property. The location is often chosen after consultation with a Brahmin priest. The spirit house is normally in the form of a miniature temple and is mounted on a pillar or on a dais.
The house is intended to provide a shelter for spirits which could cause problems for the people if not appeased. Offerings are left at the house to propitiate the spirits.
there are some photos of other neat ones i found online.... the links arent working, though, so you should google image 'spirit house' and see what you see.
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