Tai folk religion originated in Yunnan province of China[4] and is primarily based on ancestor veneration.

[6] It is a syncretic mixture Buddhist and Tai folk practices with local traditional beliefs in mainland Southeast Asia.

Tai folk religion is primarily based on deities such as Phi, Khwan, Dam (ancestors).

Guardian angels of people often include ancestors or angelic-beings who arrive at various points in life, better known as thewada.

Deities associated with specific places such as the household, the river, or a grove of trees are neither inherently benevolent nor evil, and occasional offerings ensure their favor and assistance in human affairs.

[17] Baci or Su Khwan: At certain special occasions during the course of an individual's life, such as before a pending marriage, a job change, or at other times of high uncertainty, certain Baci (ບາສີ, [bàː.sǐː], บายศรี, [bāːj.sǐː]) ceremonies are sometimes performed for the benefit of an individual, with the aim of properly re-binding such "khwan" body-spirits back to one's body, as the unintentional loosening of such bonds is believed to possibly risk illness or harm.

The baci rite calls on all thirty-two khwan to return to one's self to bestow health, prosperity, and well-being on the affected participant.

The baci ceremony can also be performed to welcome guests to one's home, before and after making a long trip, as a curing ritual or after recovery from an illness.

Offerings of flowers, incense, and candles are given, and the spirits are consulted during times of change or hardship for protection and assistance.

A class of priests called mophi (mo-phi ໝໍຜີ, หมอผี), "tellers", are locally trained shamans, specialists in the rituals and in communication with their personal angels and gods in general.

Using trances, sacred objects imbued with supernatural power, or saksit, possessions, and rituals like lam phi fa (ລຳຜີຟ້າ, ลำผีฟ้า, [lam pʰiː faː]) or baci, the shaman is often consulted during times of trouble, hauntings, and illness or other misfortune that might be caused by malevolent or unhappy spirits.

[20] In case of Ahom the three priestly clans (Mo'sam, Mo'hung, Mo'Plong) follow Tai folk religion traditionally.

In many villages, a person, usually an older man believed to have special knowledge of the gods, may be asked to choose an auspicious day for weddings or other important events, or for household rites.