Chilli in South(East)Asian Culture

Southern India apparently uses chile peppers for a kind of magic, similar to its function as good luck charm in China (and similar to uses in Central America). In contrast, however, the color is not as important here: green peppers are (also) used:

Chilli is strung on a yarn together with limes and hung on walls or the ceiling; people tend to state that this were a silly belief, but as it's supposed to ward off bad influences, why not...

According to a news report (but never corroborated), there is at least one Buddhist ceremony in Southeast Asia (Thailand) in which chile peppers and salt are burnt to banish evil spirits.