Difference between revisions of "Duang muang (Thailand)"

Political leaders use ''duang muang'' as an enabling, or problem-solving tool that helps them assess, or improve, a highly volatile political situation. ''Duang muang'' helps build political consensus because of beliefs that the country has inherited its own destiny and that the movement of stars influences the political life of the country, thus legitimising political decisions, if they had been made in accordance with ''duang muang''. For instance, it is widely known among the Thais that the date of installing Bangkok’s city pillar, 21 April 2325 BE, was selected with reference to its most auspicious ''duang muang'' (Likitkijsomboon 1994: 78). This particular conception of ''duang'' is collective in the sense that all members of a political community are united under the same ''duang muang''. This belief purports that political changes are to some extent conditioned by ''duang muang'' at every particular moment in time. The right for interpretation of ''duang muang'' can also be contested. Only a handful of elite astrologers are widely acknowledged in the society as being able to accomplish a political reading or divination, and their number is kept under control. The Thai Astrologer Association, an active professional organisation under the Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen, was founded in 1947. Its founders include several prominent members of establishment, including an Oxford graduate, ex-privy council member, Phraya Srivisarnvaja (Tienliang Hoontrakul) [(พระยาศรีวิสารวาจา (เทียนเลี้ยง ฮุนตระกูล)].  

Political leaders use ''duang muang'' as an enabling, or problem-solving tool that helps them assess, or improve, a highly volatile political situation. ''Duang muang'' helps build political consensus because of beliefs that the country has inherited its own destiny and that the movement of stars influences the political life of the country, thus legitimising political decisions, if they had been made in accordance with ''duang muang''. For instance, it is widely known among the Thais that the date of installing Bangkok’s city pillar, 21 April 2325 BE, was selected with reference to its most auspicious ''duang muang'' (Likitkijsomboon 1994: 78). This particular conception of ''duang'' is collective in the sense that all members of a political community are united under the same ''duang muang''. This belief purports that political changes are to some extent conditioned by ''duang muang'' at every particular moment in time. The right for interpretation of ''duang muang'' can also be contested. Only a handful of elite astrologers are widely acknowledged in the society as being able to accomplish a political reading or divination, and their number is kept under control. The Thai Astrologer Association, an active professional organisation under the Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen, was founded in 1947. Its founders include several prominent members of establishment, including an Oxford graduate, ex-privy council member, Phraya Srivisarnvaja (Tienliang Hoontrakul) [(พระยาศรีวิสารวาจา (เทียนเลี้ยง ฮุนตระกูล)].  

Most of the political elites and governmental leaders today use the expertise of political consultants who provide analyses of the political context, forecasts, and advice on policy responses to particular situations. These experts tend to be those qualified in economics, political science or similar disciplines. Parallel to this practice, political leaders often develop close relationships with astrologers. Politicians, including the Prime Minister and cabinet members, approach astrologers for advice and divination in order to boost their popularity. In reverse, such close interactions with politicians enable professional political astrologers to gain access to the elite networks, exercise political influence, and even get a political appointment. For example, the Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, who staged a coup in 2014, has appointed his once spiritual advisor and an acclaimed astrologer Panuwat Punwichatkul (ภาณุวัฒน์ พันธุ์วิชาติกุล) to the political affairs unit of his Secretariat (101World 2020).

Most of the political elites and governmental leaders today use the expertise of political consultants who provide analyses of the political context, forecasts, and advice on policy responses to particular situations. These experts tend to be those qualified in economics, political science or similar disciplines. Parallel to this practice, political leaders often develop close relationships with astrologers. Politicians, including the Prime Minister and cabinet members, approach astrologers for advice and divination in order to boost their popularity. In reverse, such close interactions with politicians enable professional political astrologers to gain access to the elite networks, exercise political influence, and even get a political appointment. For example, the Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, who staged a coup in 2014, has appointed his once spiritual advisor and an acclaimed astrologer Panuwat Punwichatkul (ภาณุวัฒน์ พันธุ์วิชาติกุล) to the political affairs unit of his Secretariat (101World 2020).

''Duang muang'' plays a crucial role in Thai society since it shapes the way political activities are enacted. Political elites tend to cling to an astrological prophecy when making a decision on critical matters, such as forming a new government or staging a coup. Before the bloodless coup that changed Siam from an absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy, the People’s Party, the group that planned and staged the coup, consulted the astrological constellation (Museum Siam Knowledge Center 2019). ''Duang muang'' is also used instrumentally to legitimise the political incumbency by mounting evidence that the current leaders’ personal astrological registers could enrich the ''duang muang'' (see Panpeerapit and Pongsawat 2019, Tipyamasgomen 1996). In parallel with formal hiring of political consultants to provide political insights, politicians and leaders benefit from the informal advice of astrologers able to interpret ''duang muang'' in both political and personal domains. The coexistence of the two practices highlights the political and social significance of interpreting ''duang muang''.

''Duang muang'' plays a crucial role in Thai society since it shapes the way political activities are enacted. Political elites tend to cling to an astrological prophecy when making a decision on critical matters, such as forming a new government or staging a coup. Before the bloodless coup that changed Siam from an absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy, the People’s Party, the group that planned and staged the coup, consulted the astrological constellation (Museum Siam Knowledge Center 2019). ''Duang muang'' is also used instrumentally to legitimise the political incumbency by mounting evidence that the current leaders’ personal astrological registers could enrich the ''duang muang'' (see Panpeerapit and Pongsawat 2019, Tipyamasgomen 1996). In parallel with formal hiring of political consultants to provide political insights, politicians and leaders benefit from the informal advice of astrologers able to interpret ''duang muang'' in both political and personal domains. The coexistence of the two practices highlights the political and social significance of interpreting ''duang muang''.

==Entries in the online encyclopaedia linking to ''duang muang''==

==Entries in the online encyclopaedia linking to ''duang muang''==