These questions were among the many issues that made Prayut feel uncomfortable and he made unpleasant comments that escalated the political situation.
While Prayut’s comment didn’t prove that he truly believes in astrology, many incidents have shown that astrology and Thai politics are undoubtedly linked. Many people, from peculiar people to elites, have sought guidance from fortune tellers who predict various mystical methods.
Some astrologers in Thailand predict the longer term based on birth dates, and plenty of use mediation to attach with mystics who claim to have the ability to read the longer term.
A neighborhood politician in northeastern Thailand said he likes to take heed to fortune tellers’ advice, mainly to feel the joy of seeing whether the anticipated situation actually involves pass.
“Some predictions came true, but others did not. In my opinion, there is no explanation from astrology, but in general, Thais do not ignore any predictions,” he said.
In Thailand, astrologers usually make both personal and political predictions at the end of the year because people want to know what will happen in the next year. Political uncertainty or deadlock also causes some groups, especially politicians, to resort to fortune telling.
Nattaya Chetchotiros (57), a long-time political journalist who also has skills in astrology, said astrology has been part of daily life for Thais since ancient times due to historical evidence relating to astrologers who predicted the fate of the monarch, elites and bureaucrats, especially when they exercised the power of soldiers in times of war or times of transition.
From the past to the present, various sections of Thai society, especially politicians, have used astrology, according to Nattaya, who has worked as a political journalist for more than 30 years.
“All Thai politicians really want to know if they will get elected, and definitely many of them consult fortune tellers,” she said.
One such example is ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, currently in self-imposed exile abroad. Nattaya said that while in office, Thaksin consulted several astrologers before deciding on political moves, along with various religious rites performed at the federal government headquarters and other places.
“Thaksin went to Burma seeking advice from the famous fortune teller E Thi when he was in power and after he was overthrown,” Nattaya said, adding that E Thi predicted that Thaksin would face political disaster.
E Thi is a well known fortune teller in Myanmar who makes predictions for clients, including politicians and businessmen, each in Myanmar and regional countries. Many individuals who met E Thi said that her predictions were correct.
Among famous astrologers, renowned Chiang Mai fortune teller Warin Buawiratlert, 59, told Kyodo News he predicted Prayut would remain in power for at the least three years. Warin said his prediction was made through meditation, which can connect him with a master who will help him see future scenes.
A famous astrologer once predicted that the following prime minister’s name would begin with the letter “P”, and his prediction was criticized when Yingluck Shinawatra became prime minister.
“I predicted what I saw, although Yingluck won the elections and became the head of government, she could not stay for long because P must be the prime minister. [Prayut]– Warin noticed.
After the next elections next year, Warin predicted that all groups will join hands to work for the country under a national government that will be set up to run the country and implement reforms.
The current government will be joined by the main political parties, including rival parties.
Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is among the famous politicians whose fortune was predicted by fortune tellers. Abhisit told Kyodo News that he cannot avoid fortune telling because he is a public figure, but he does not rely on predictions.
“I am not a person who relies on astrology, but many fortune tellers have predicted my future and I have not been offended. I can listen to all the forecasts,” he said.
“Sometimes the prediction didn’t come true, but sometimes it did come true, like when I had an accident where I broke my arm in a fall. The fortune teller had warned me months before and I actually broke my arm,” Abhisit added.
Although Abhisit considers predictions as suggestions for prudent living, he didn’t use them as keys to implement policy.
“Using fortune telling to make decisions about party or government policy shouldn’t be my style,” he noted and declined to comment on the predictions by Myanmar’s E Thi, who has announced that he’ll return to the post of prime minister within the near future.
Thailand is currently under military rule and several other soothsayers have predicted major political changes next 12 months. The changes include general elections, political chaos, reforms, but additionally a vibrant political future during which all parties start working for the nation.
