Following recent controversy surrounding the 2025 Pu Sae–Ya Sae Forest Spirit Ritual, held at the Doi Suthep–Pui National Park in Mae Hia, the family of the supposed original lineage of Pu Sae–Ya Sae has come forward to clarify key issues.
What is Pu Sae Ya Sae ceremony?
Pu Sae Ya Sae is an annual festival https://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/clg/living/the-upcoming-animist-ceremony-of-pu-sae-ya-sae/ held in Mae Hia, just south of the city in the foothills of Doi Suthep-Pui, where a buffalo is sacrificed and eaten—raw—by a local or two who claim to be possessed by the spirits of one or both giants. The story behind this unusual festival is that a long long time ago, two giants by the name of Pu Sae and Ya Sae (grandfather Sae and grandmother Sae) used to roam our hills and, being cannibals, would eat the villagers in the Mae Hia area. The Buddha was asked, by the villagers, to help with this problem and he graciously stepped in and asked the two giants to stop eating people, telling them that it wasn’t a good thing to do. As a compromise, the giants were given the chance to consume one buffalo per year as one or the other of their spirits entered through the body of a human medium. Hence, today’s Pu Sae Ya Sae ceremony.
The drama
Drama erupted online and in the local community after this year’s female medium was seen acting inappropriately during the ritual—smiling for the camera, using a smartphone, and mentioning an online shopping app, as well as being “possessed” before the official ceremony began.
Family’s Explanation
On June 11, the supposed direct descendants of Pu Sae–Ya Sae gave a statement to the media, clarifying that the woman, named “Hong”, had never served as a medium before. Her “possession” reportedly occurred spontaneously after she prayed at the Pu Sae shrine following a lucky lottery win, which she believed was due to receiving divine numbers from Pu Sae.
Her spiritual guides (including a medium of the Guan Yin goddess) brought her to find Pu Sae’s family—whom she had never met—just three days before the event. According to the family, the spirit of Pu Sae chose her himself, and as per belief, once chosen, the medium must allow the possession—or risk misfortune.
Ritual Authenticity and Conduct
The family insisted that all rituals and offerings followed ancient traditions passed down through generations, while also noting that in previous years when the municipal authorities organised the event, many non-traditional elements were added or altered.
Regarding Hong’s behavior, including laying on a buffalo and walking through sacred spots, the family claims she was genuinely possessed, not acting. Elderly attendees affirmed that Pu Sae seemed pleased. As for an elder named “Phor Nan” who quietly left mid-ritual, it wasn’t out of displeasure—he had completed his chanting off-microphone and, at over 90 years old, needed rest.
The switch from municipal organisers to the ancestral family stemmed from a change in the spiritual team, and the family’s re-involvement. They told CityNews that true possession is uncontrollable, explaining why the medium spoke of social media or used a phone without being conscious of it.
From the Heirs’ Perspective
Jaijai and her son, Supachok Halbesen, who claim to be bloodline descendants of Pu Sae–Ya Sae, stressed that this ceremony is rooted in ancient beliefs about ghosts and giants, not deities—unlike the modernised versions previously led by the municipality. While the family once considered ending the tradition, mysterious experiences convinced them to continue. They affirmed no political motives and said they seek only to preserve original customs.
Municipality’s Clarification
The Mayor of Mae Hia asserted that the municipality had no involvement in selecting the medium, adding that Pu Sae and Ya Sae choose their mediums themselves, a process referred to in dialect as “pai yieb eng” (chosen by spiritual presence).
Responsibility for ritual offerings lies with the Chiang Mai Cultural Council, in collaboration with descendants who previously led the ceremonies. The buffalo used for the offerings was arranged by individuals with experience from past years.
He clarified that no government funds were used—all expenses came from public donations, collected at the site and at Doi Kham Temple, in line with government regulations. The municipality only handled logistics, publicity, and staffing.
Regarding the viral clip where the spirit medium criticised the offerings, he explained that the critique was directed at the cultural council chairperson, not the municipality. Any claims linking the event to local politics were false, and there is no conflict between past and present administrators.
Moving Forward
The mayor went on to say that this ceremony is based on personal belief, and it’s not anyone’s place to judge whether a possession is “real” or not. For future events, the municipality plans to coordinate with relevant bodies to ensure more structured and credible arrangements. Since the Pu Sae–Ya Sae ritual takes place only once a year, it must be preserved respectfully as a valuable cultural heritage of the Mae Hia community.
Read our previous article on this topic at https://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/clg/living/citylifes-bloody-experience-at-pu-sae-ya-sae/
