Fortune-tellers and astrologers offer their services around Buddhist temples and on sidewalks throughout the country.
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Thai astrologers often called them-selves "acharn"
(อาจารย์) or teacher.
They require day, month, year of birth and a picture to be able to do an
accurate prediction. They can help about work office problems with boss, love problems,
bad business, money problems, fate ("DUANG CHATA" - ดวงชะตา).
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| Astrologer wheel |
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At night Thai temples become "evil" places. Monks sleep in their houses. Ghosts and spirits are reputed to wander around cemetary in temples. Some spirit doctors use the oil of buried corpse, called "NAM MAN PRAI" (น้ำมันพราย), to make love filters (ยาเสน่ห์), which are told to be the best.
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Astrologers are also called "HORACHAN" (โหราจารย์).
Many modern astrologers now answer through letter or phone.
Still many of them claim to use Khmer style and to come from the south of Isan region nearby
Cambodia as it is still seen as remote and mysterious place.
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| Astrologer wheel |
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Monks have been told not to give hints about lottery results or act as astrologers but some of them are still doing it.
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A monk or astrologer may suggest
that misfortune or suffering can be terminated by taking a new name.
Thai administrations can grant Thai people the permission to change their name
as often as they want. A monk select carefully the relation between first name and surname
to be sure the combination can bring highest luck to their owner.
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| Astrologer |
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The Ploughing Ceremony, happening every year around May, is of Brahman origin. The auspicious day and hour are still set by the Royal Brahman astrologers.
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Astrologers can be either men or women.
Normally they ask for 300 Baht fee for a consultation about future and fate.
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| Astrologer wheel |
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In year 2008, Thai astrologers are cashing in on the country's political crisis as people seek answers to the instability.
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Bangkok residents use consultation services an average of twice a year,
spending an average 200 Baht each time. Well-known astrologers are particularly sought
after during the New Year holiday period.
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| Astrologer drawing |
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The expression ลองของ is used for those doing trials in order the right magical recipe.
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Of course there are dozens of ways of telling fortunes, but in Thailand reading
cards or the palm are probably the most popular.
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| Astrologer |
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The annual biggest concentration of spirit doctors happens each september in Phuket and South of Thailand during the Vegetarian festival. Many men pierce their body with sharp objects or walk on fire. They feel no pain and show the power of the spirit that inhabits their body. This festival is linked to Chinese religion and beliefs.
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In Thailand many spirit doctors
help people to get chance, to gain the heart of a desired mate,
to get rid of ghosts, to reveal future, to get rid of curses.
These spirit doctors can be ordinary persons
who have spirit power ("PALANG CHIT" -
ปลั่งจิต) or also monks. But monk
hierarchy does not tolerate those monks.
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| Astrologer |
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In year 2005, a ghostbuster in Maha Sarakham province claims to have caught nine "PHI POP" (ผีปอบ) spirits and drowned them in the Chee river so they would not reborn again. Some villagers who are far from doctors still stick to old beliefs.
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The "NANG KWAK" is a spirit
supposed to bring money in the household. Its statue
represents a woman in Thai traditional clothes, sitting on her knees with the
right hand up and the hand making the gesture to bring money to
her-self. Thai people like to have this statue in their home or
their shop.
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| Nang Kwak |
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In the garden grounds of the Nai Lert Park Hotel in Bangkok, there is a shrine called "CHAO MAE TUPTIM", dedicated to the goddess "TUPTIM". It is said that women who pray here in a wish to become fertile for pregnancy, will return if their wish is fulfilled, and place another phallus at the shrine in thanks.
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Penises abound at the shrine of goddess "TUPTIM". Most are built of wood, and are
quite huge, including some which stand 10 feet tall.
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| Chao Mae Tuptim |
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Tall cylinders of stone (called "lingams") are worshipped as the phallic images of Hindu god Shiva.
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Thais occasionally dangle a tiny wooden phallus from their belt or necklace, for added protection.
Modern Thais are familiar with wooden penises which are sold in markets as good luck amulets.
Sometimes, a shop or restaurant will display a wooden penis in a discreet location, hoping it will
help business.
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| Chao Mae Tuptim |
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Click to see more pictures |
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