Thayé

In Burmese mythology, the thayé (Burmese: သရဲ), also spelled 'tasei' (တစ္ဆေ), are deceased evil people condemned to be disembodied spirits.^[1][2] They often appear as tall, dark people with huge ears, long tongues, and tusk-like teeth.^{[citation needed]} Thayé enter towns at noon or at night, and in rural areas of Myanmar, villagers say they cause illness or disease, such as cholera and smallpox.^[3][4]

The thayé is said to have many faces and bodies; e.g., one might be a pregnant ghost with a fat white body and big ears.^{[citation needed]} Others may be tall and slim, male, or with other varying characteristics.^{[citation needed]}