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หมอผี or "MO PHI" are the spirits doctors.
หมอดู or "MO DOO" are astrologers.
Fortune-tellers and astrologers offer their services around
Buddhist temples and on sidewalks throughout the country.
Astrologer wheel
Thai astrologers often called them-selves "acharn"
(อาจารย์) or teacher.
They require day, month, year of birth and a picture to be able to do an
accurate prediction. They can help about work office problems with boss, love problems,
bad business, money problems, fate ("DUANG CHATA" - ดวงชะตา).
At night Thai temples become "evil"
places. Monks sleep in their houses. Ghosts and spirits are reputed
to wander around cemetary in temples. Some spirit doctors use the oil of
buried corpse, called "NAM MAN PRAI" (น้ำมันพราย),
to make love filters (ยาเสน่ห์), which are told to be the best.
Astrologer wheel
Astrologers are also called "HORACHAN" (โหราจารย์).
Many modern astrologers now answer through letter or phone.
Still many of them claim to use Khmer style and to come from the south of Isan region nearby
Cambodia as it is still seen as remote and mysterious place.
Monks have been told not to give hints about lottery
results or act as astrologers but some of them are still doing it.
Astrologer
A monk or astrologer may suggest
that misfortune or suffering can be terminated by taking a new name.
Thai administrations can grant Thai people the permission to change their name
as often as they want. A monk select carefully the relation between first name and surname
to be sure the combination can bring highest luck to their owner.
The Ploughing Ceremony, happening every year around May,
is of Brahman origin. The auspicious day and hour are still set by the Royal
Brahman astrologers.
Astrologer wheel
Astrologers can be either men or women.
Normally they ask for 300 Baht fee for a consultation about future and fate.
In year 2008, Thai astrologers
were cashing in on the country's political crisis as people seeked answers to the instability.
Astrologer drawing
Bangkok residents use consultation services an average of twice a year,
spending an average 200 Baht each time. Well-known astrologers are particularly sought
after during the New Year holiday period.
The expression ลองของ
is used for those doing trials in order to find the right magical recipe.
Astrologer
Of course there are dozens of ways of telling fortunes, but in Thailand reading
cards or the palm is probably the most popular.
The annual biggest concentration of spirit
doctors happens each september in Phuket and South of Thailand during
the Vegetarian festival. Many men pierce their body
with sharp objects or walk on fire. They feel no pain and
show the power of the spirit that inhabits their body. This festival is
linked to Chinese religion and beliefs.
Astrologer
In Thailand many spirit doctors
help people to get chance, to gain the heart of a desired mate,
to get rid of ghosts, to reveal future, to get rid of curses.
These spirit doctors can be ordinary persons
who have spirit power ("PALANG CHIT" -
ปลั่งจิต) or also monks. But monk
hierarchy does not tolerate those monks.
In year 2005, a ghostbuster
in Maha Sarakham province claims to have caught nine "PHI POP"
(ผีปอบ) spirits and drowned them in the Chee river
so they would not reborn again. Some villagers who are far from doctors still stick to old beliefs.
