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Reuters Pondering whether her job is the right fit and whether her romantic relationship is meant to be, Jarunun Sangjun, 27, does what any typical Thai would do: Seek out a fortune-teller for advice.
The fortune-teller, who has a table set up on the side of the road near a temple in Bangkok, asks for the date and time of her birth before drawing up horoscope charts. “The stars are saying this year you’ll change jobs, start a new relationship,” says the fortune-teller known as Ajarn Jamras, who said he has been practising for 30 years.
The roadside divination is a world away from Thailand’s elaborate preparations for the coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn on May 4. But astrology plays a key role in the coronation ceremonies this week when the monarch, too, will have his horoscope cast.
The main coronation events from May 4 to 6 will be the first the country has seen since Vajiralongkorn’s father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, was crowned on May 5, 1950. He had reigned for seven decades before he passed away in October 2016.
Aligning with planets
Thai culture is steeped in astrology and other forms of divination, such as palm reading, tarot cards, and Feng Shui, which all sit comfortably in the country’s brand of Buddhism. Many Thais, like Jaranun, go to fortune-tellers for everything from guidance on career and love to setting dates for important life events like weddings and business ventures.
On Tuesday, royal astrologers will inscribe the king’s new name and the horoscope for the new reign on a golden plate. Court astrologers traditionally make predictions about the future at every important transition in the nation’s history.
Thai astrology is not strictly about planetary alignments but also concerns numerology and omens.
Thais already actively wear certain colours on certain days to align with the planets they represent, believing it will bring good luck. They also look for numbers in obscure places like tree trunks and clouds, believed to be signs from the universe, before buying lottery tickets.
Some fortune-tellers such as Ajarn Jamras say that is why they are in the business, as helping people is their calling. ”Ajarn” in Thai means “teacher” and is used as a title to convey respect.
“I’m here to show people the way out of misery so they can make their lives better,” Jamras said.
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