It was a couple of years ago when I first heard the term “Aswang” from the Philippines. Growing up, I realised there are many similarities between ghosts and supernatural creatures across Southeast Asia. Every country seems to have its own version of them. When I first started researching and gathering facts about the folklore of…

If you have explored Southeast Asian horror, one type of ghost almost always stands out, the Pocong. But what is a pocong ghost, and why does it remain one of the most feared spirits in Indonesia even today?  This article explores its origins, cultural meaning, and most importantly, deeply detailed real-life inspired encounters. If you’ve…

Deep in the jungles of Laos and Thailand, where the trees grow thick, daylight feels like night, and an eerie silence follows you everywhere, there is a sound that can make your heart stop. Koi…koi…koi… It echoes softly through the forest, not loud, not aggressive, but just enough to make you uneasy. This is not…

When I was a little kid, I read an article on the penanggalan legend in Southeast Asia in one of those dodgy mystical books that were popular in Malaysia at the time. It described a ghost whose head floats through the night, with its entrails hanging beneath it. And when it laughs, if the sound…