Thai Government Looks to Feng Shui for Harmony
The Thai government appears keen to explore every possible route to achieve national reconciliation following Thailand’s recent bout of political unrest. Amid the dialogue and rhetoric about political and social reform, feng shui experts have been called in to Government House in Bangkok. The ancient Chinese system of feng shui positions buildings, furniture and objects to achieve harmony with the environment to gain peace, health and good fortune. Amongst the changes already made at Government House, a number of potted plants have been placed on the lawn opposite one of the entrances where Thailand’s prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, enters the compound. Believers in feng shui say the yellow and green colours and the positioning of the plants will help to drive away bad luck.
This isn’t the first time the feng shui at Government House has been readjusted. Feng shui experts were called in during 2007, but since then political power has changed hands a number of times. The Government House compound has also been the target of protests by the yellow shirts in 2008 and the red shirts in 2009. In March this year, the red shirt protesters also arranged a ‘blood-cursing ceremony’ outside one of the gates of the compound. During the Bangkok protests that ran from March to May, PM Abhisit decided it was safer and more practical to use a military base to convene cabinet meetings rather than risk more protests at Government House.
Although it might seem strange to a Western view-point, many Thai people see nothing unusual about the mixture of ancient beliefs and superstitions. These beliefs and superstitions also cut across the class and education divide. Lucky amulets may be worn by farm workers in rural Isaan just as they may be worn by the social elite in Bangkok and former prime ministers, including Thaksin Shinawatra, have used fortune tellers and astrologists.
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