They might be chasing ghosts, but Singaporeans interested in the paranormal are coming out of the shadows to join them. The Singapore Paranormal Investigators scored three times the usual number of hits on its website since the group was featured in The Sunday Times last week.

Of these, nearly 100 want to be ghostbusters, or at least help in the work. But the leader of the group, Mr Simon Tay, 23, a Web administrator, is particular about new recruits. 'We have to see what they can offer to the group. Perhaps some of them have equipment or special skills which will benefit our research.'

Only two more people, a technician and a senior retail executive, have been recruited, bringing the group's membership to five.

When there are 10 members, the group will register itself as a non-profit society, probably next month.

Mr Tay said people were writing in to share their experiences with the paranormal and to suggest to the the group new places to investigate. Some had even offered to donate cameras, motion detectors and thermal sensors to further the work of the group.

Mr Tay said he was surprised by the public response. About 2,000 people visited his website in the last two months but, in the past week, the number has leapt to nearly 6,000. 'I knew there were people who are interested in the paranormal here, but I never expected so many,' he said.

But what struck him was their strong interest in the supernatural. 'Nearly all of them claimed

• Story originally published by:
The Straights Times / Singapore | Chong Chee Kin - Sept 16.01

Posted Sept 10.01
Singaporeans Turn To Online Ghostbusters
[Original headline: Ghostbusters go online]

Singapore - Singaporeans suspicious of paranormal antics in their homes or neighbourhoods are turning to "ghostbusters," three investigators with their own website, it was reported on Sunday.

No garlic cloves, religious symbols, charms or amulets are included among the devices used by Singapore Paranormal Investigators, who told The Sunday Times they are modelling their methods on those used by US research organisations.

"We want to take a scientific approach to prove or debunk the existence of things like ghosts or unidentified flying objects," Simon Tay, one of the trio, was quoted as saying.

"If it is a hoax, that is fine, but if it is something inexplicable, we have to let people know," said Tay, a 23-year-old Web administrator who said his own interest was triggered by an encounter with an apparition.

The team relies on digital video cameras, electromagnetic field metres and thermal guns as they make their rounds.

They began their "field investigations" six months ago.

Tay said he has spent more than $571 of his own money on devices to detect sudden changes in temperature and the presence of electromagnetic energy.

Many pictures which at first seem to suggest paranormal incidents have turned out to be the result of reflections, Tay acknowledged.

• Story originally published by:
Sapa/DPA - Sept 10.01

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