[SOgLak]

Such a letter to the newspaper could only have been written by someone who knows little of Thai culture. Thais have always believed in horoscopes and nothing an ignorant Farang can say will change that. Until recently (and maybe still?) even major government decisions were made only after consulting the stars and other auspicious indicators. To most Farangs including myself it is mere superstition, but it is real to the extent that Thais are influenced by it in their daily decisions.

[MaigicyuNinia]

Well to the rational thinkers like my self, we know there just a load of superstition, but I have known a few people who actually believe in them like people believe in religious superstition.
I think most people who read them, don't actually believe in them, but just read them for the entertainment value and to see what by coincidence actually comes true.

[Wr8dIAUk]

horoscope-making is an ancient tradition, and there are professionals relying on these traditions and methods.
and then there are those who just sit down and write horoscopes for women's magazines for a living.
I am skeptical myself, but even for me, there is a difference between the two. wondering who compiled those horoscopes in question.

[MaigicyuNinia]

Unless there an atheist I take what ever they say as superstition.

[Mjyzpzph]

The Outlook section of Dec 31, sporting a huge "Horoscope 2008" report, prompted me to ask myself, "What era are we living in?" Surely it can't be the 21st century, where scientific and rational arguments are the norm, and evidence is required to support any claim. It must be the Sukhothai era, where science wasn't invented yet and superstition ruled the day.

Well if they are living in Thailand where the year is actually 2551 then they should be living in the 26th Century.

David

[asSexate]

I just read this amusing letter in the Bangkok Post. Are Thai horoscopes drawn up in a significantly different way to western ones?


The Outlook section of Dec 31, sporting a huge "Horoscope 2008" report, prompted me to ask myself, "What era are we living in?" Surely it can't be the 21st century, where scientific and rational arguments are the norm, and evidence is required to support any claim. It must be the Sukhothai era, where science wasn't invented yet and superstition ruled the day.


The horoscope (or made-up predictions, in other words) is an ancient superstition with no rational basis whatsoever. To call the horoscope nonsense would be an affront to the word "nonsense". Why can't those who presume to know the future predict something useful, like anti-global warming measures or medical advances, instead of dreary, same old pedestrian lives?

At best, horoscopes are a waste of space and at worst, they promote a viewpoint based on wishful thinking. To put faith in them is to delude ourselves about the nature of reality. Our lives are much too precious to waste on such delusions.

[asSexate]

Such a letter to the newspaper could only have been written by someone who knows little of Thai culture. Thais have always believed in horoscopes and nothing an ignorant Farang can say will change that. Until recently (and maybe still?) even major government decisions were made only after consulting the stars and other auspicious indicators. To most Farangs including myself it is mere superstition, but it is real to the extent that Thais are influenced by it in their daily decisions.

Indeed, I remember reading reports in the past about leaders such as Thaksin flying to Burma for an appointment with his astrologer. I also recall he once put off some major decision or announcement saying his "stars were not favourable" that week.

And although it is labelled as superstitious I believe its proponents argue that in fact drawing up a horoscope is a very fine and exacting science. What that involves I don't know though.

[asSexate]

For many, if not most Thais, even Buddhism is a form of "magic".

I think that's because Buddhism in Thailand is sometimes infused with the animistic belief that there is a spirit in everything.

[adultcheee]

For many, if not most Thais, even Buddhism is a form of "magic".