Fanta, now a subsidiary of Coca-Cola, sells more softs drinks in Thailand than it does in either the US or China. Sure, people love to drink it, but some of that sweet red soda pop is for the gods. Strawberry-flavored Fanta is left as an offering at shrines, or spirit houses, throughout the country. Kalyanee Rudrakanchana, a Thai spiritual consultant, explains more.
The spirits she has communed with have yet to ask for red Fanta. Yet “offering sweet, red water at a shrine is something that is uniquely Thai,” Rudrakanchana explains. “Nobody knows why it has to be strawberry Fanta, but it probably has to do with its bright red color.” After all, she notes, “Thais are a very visual people. They probably think it looks pretty in front of the shrine or spirit house.”
Or more likely, it just seems natural to make an offering of something that the giver believes is tasty and satisfying. Read how Fanta became a common offering at shrines throughout Thailand at Atlas Obscura.
(Image credit: Per Meistrup)