[RicardoHun]

FORECAST FOR 2009? IT'S A GOOD YEAR FOR MOR DOO

During hard times, people may spend less on many things, but not fortune-telling.
By: Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit
Bangkok Post

The global economic downturn has seen balance sheets everywhere drop into the red, but not so the fortune-telling business.

In a country obsessed with mor doo some fortune-tellers are so popular they have attained celebrity status, such as Sukrit "Mor Krit" Patumsriwiroj, who hosts his own TV show and is a guest on many other programmes.

Currently, the controversial mor doo is embroiled in a 50-million-baht defamation suit after he publicly predicted singer Saranrat "Lydia" Wisutthithada was pregnant.

Pornpote Leelaprasert of the Astrological Association of Thailand said the fortune-telling business would continue to grow as it was part of Thai society.

"Whatever the situation, Thais like to consult fortune-tellers," he said.

The Kasikorn Research Centre this year calculated the fortune-telling business to be worth 2.55 billion baht, 2% more than in 2007. Of this, 1.85 billion baht comes from direct fortune-telling services and the rest from related businesses such as merit-making, books and fortune-telling via new media outlets, such as the internet.

However, growth has been slowing since 2006. The research shows the economic slowdown has encouraged people to cut down on their visits to fortune-tellers.

Kasikorn Research Centre's report, "Bangkokians and Fortune-telling Services", was based on interviews with 1,569 people between Dec 1 and 9 this year. It found the average number of visits fell to 3.18 times per year, down from 3.48 last year. Spending on such services has fallen to 310 baht per visit, down from 336 baht last year.

Shopkeepers and office workers were the biggest customers of fortune-tellers, overtaking housewives, who led the way in 2007.

While economic hardship may have caused housewives to visit fortune-tellers less often, shopkeepers and office workers have been going more frequently. The research predicts that in 2009, these two groups will increase their patronage as the economic outlook worsens.

Questions about finance and employment are among the most frequently asked. The largest proportion, 39%, were most concerned with employment prospects. Mr Pornpote said the most popular topics were related to jobs, finance and love.

"Basically, teenagers like to know about love and money, while working people like to know about money, their job and their health," he said.

The research also found growth in fortune-telling services via new media like the internet.

Samart Multi Media is a pioneer of fortune-telling services via new media. The company launched its service in 1989, aiming to promote itself as an integrated content provider.

Aree Jongkasemsuk, the senior manager of content development and production at Samart Multi Media, said in the early days, the service was provided by text message and a call centre.

Additional services are now offered, including fortune-telling via webcam and email.

There are between 20 and 30 fortune-tellers in the company's portfolio.

Via email, costing 199 baht, customers can give their date of birth and are allowed to ask three questions. The predictions are recorded as a audio file and emailed back. A webcam service is also offered, which costs 300 baht for a 30-minute service.

"Office workers and people staying at home are the main target groups," said Mrs Aree, adding that December, January and Chinese New Year are the peak times for fortune-telling.

The company also has an online shopping service, selling related fortune-telling products from books to holy ornaments.