Difference between revisions of "Duang muang (Thailand)"

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Historically, the practice of ''duang'' reading plays an important part in several royal ceremonies. During a coronation ceremony, the monarch’s birth ''duang'' (ดวงพระราชสมภพ: ''duang phrarajchasompob'') is engraved on the surface of a golden plaque. According to the chronicle of Ayutthaya Kingdom since the 14th century, the court astrologers played a prominent role in providing advice to the king. The title of the court astrologer, ''Phraya Horathipbodi'' (พระยาโหราธิบดี), was given to those overseeing the ''Hora'' department responsible for guidance to the kingdom’s destiny. Although this title was abolished together with the formal advisory role of court astrologers, their ceremonial role endures. Nowadays, the king appoints a ''Phra Maha Raja-Kru'' (พระมหาราชครู), an informal advisor. In this respect, for centuries, interpreting ''duang muang'' had been a method of political analysis and influence that shaped political decisions of the ruling class.

Historically, the practice of ''duang'' reading plays an important part in several royal ceremonies. During a coronation ceremony, the monarch’s birth ''duang'' (ดวงพระราชสมภพ: ''duang phrarajchasompob'') is engraved on the surface of a golden plaque. According to the chronicle of Ayutthaya Kingdom since the 14th century, the court astrologers played a prominent role in providing advice to the king. The title of the court astrologer, ''Phraya Horathipbodi'' (พระยาโหราธิบดี), was given to those overseeing the ''Hora'' department responsible for guidance to the kingdom’s destiny. Although this title was abolished together with the formal advisory role of court astrologers, their ceremonial role endures. Nowadays, the king appoints a ''Phra Maha Raja-Kru'' (พระมหาราชครู), an informal advisor. In this respect, for centuries, interpreting ''duang muang'' had been a method of political analysis and influence that shaped political decisions of the ruling class.

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).