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.