PM's wife turns to god of darkness
PM's wife turns to god of darkness
BANGKOK (AP): Thai Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh's wife
will sacrifice chickens and make other offerings in a black magic
ceremony to prolong the life of her husband's coalition
government, local papers reported Wednesday.
Cracks began to appear in Chavalit's administration this week
as Chart Pattana (National Development) Party leaders - a key
member of the ruling coalition - met with opposition leaders in a
private conference.
Public dissatisfaction with Chavalit has been mounting over
his handling of Thailand's economic crisis and the passage of a
draft constitution aimed at reforming the corrupt political
system.
Chavalit's wife, Phankrua, apparently believes her husband's
government will last if she appeases Rahu, a Hindu god of
darkness.
Attaviroj Sritula, one of the country's best known astrologers
told several newspapers that Phankrua will hold a ceremony on the
night of Sept. 16 in which she will offer eight black foods and
prayers to Rahu.
The offerings usually include black chickens, black beans and
Coca-Cola.
"By doing this she can prolong the life of the coalition of
her husband for some time," Attaviroj told The Nation newspaper.
"Thousands of people are expected to attend."
The Bangkok Post quoted one of Chavalit's spokesman as saying
the prime minister knew nothing about the ceremony and that it
was not a government matter.
Phankrua, a devotee of astrology and mysticism, carries a
stuffed toy elephant dressed in a pink party dress and studded
with jewels wherever she goes for good luck.
Chavalit has also been known to frequent astrologers and
numerologists.
Although more than 90 percent of Thais are Buddhists, more
than 60 percent of them consult astrologers on a regular basis,
according to a study by Thai Farmers Bank Research Center.
Belief in many Hindu and folk gods still persist.
Millions of Thais made offerings to Rahu before a 1995 solar
eclipse, because legend has it that eclipses are caused by Rahu
swallowing the sun.