Isaan folk rush to change names to ward off bad luck

NAKHORN RATCHASIMA: -- District offices in the Northeast face a shortage of forms for people to change their names because hundreds have sought new first names - to avoid bad luck in the Chinese Year of the Pig, which begins next month.

Astrologers have warned that individuals with names that start with the Thai letters "Sor sua" or "Por pla" would have bad luck in the Year of the Pig.

Muang Nakhon Ratchasima district chief Thongsuk Parithamma said yesterday his office and nearby districts ran out of Chor 3 forms a week ago, as 100-200 people had applied to change their names every day over recent weeks.

The phenomenon was due to some people's belief that if they change their names in the Year of Pig, their lives would improve, Thongsuk said - especially those who had first names with the initial letters "Sor sua" and "Por pla" - or they would face problems.

About 60 per cent of applicants had the letters "Sor sua" and "Por pla", he said.

One Nakhon Ratchasima city resident, Surapong Pipatthanakornkul, 62, said he and his son came to change their names but were told the district office had run out of the required forms.

Surapong said he was told by a senior monk their first names and last name were now unlucky, but if they changed them, their lives would improve.

Similar scenes have occurred in Ubon Ratchathani, where over 200 people have changed their first name - and 11 altered family names - since December. The most popular initial for new names was "Tor tung".

In Khon Kaen, people have also been changing their names to avoid bad luck. At Muang district alone, 159 people had applied to change their name. Many claimed their old names brought them problems, the district chief said.

Police are unconcerned, though. A spokesman said an individual's details and criminal record could still be checked via computer as they had not changed ID-card numbers.

--The Nation 2007-01-19

I really hope it does change for the good.

Best wishes to you all up north, from another northener!

Hope one day you will be running the country from there, and that the elitist <deleted> in bangkok get a taste of rice farming

oops, I have just scared the hel_l out of this one girl in my office, She might soon be called somerthing else.

Crazy

Hope a new name increase intelligence of these guys, so in future they don't belive such bs.

PS.: anyone know which letters bring luck/no luck in the next year (after pig)?

PS.: anyone know which letters bring luck/no luck in the next year (after pig)?

Exactly! What happens if the letters beginning their new changed names are unlucky next year? Change again? Could be time consuming & confusing.

Wonder what my name translates to in Thai? Maybe that's why the last 5 years have been bad for me - unlucky letters!!

To escape bad luck or debt?

This year is the The Year of the Briggsy. All beautiful women will suffer bad luck unless they contact me immediately and I will advise as to what steps to take to avoid evil spirits, etc, blah, blah

If you think that is stupid, Banharn, a former PM, once tried to change his date of birth to someting more aspicious.

Also known as 'ngom ngai' behaviour. It's amazing how many folks refuse to accept that all it takes is: hard work (whether in study or work) + frugality, and saving religiously + reinvestment. But no, that would be too simple, easier to look to the fortune tellers, witch doctors, and lottery.

Also known as 'ngom ngai' behaviour. It's amazing how many folks refuse to accept that all it takes is: hard work (whether in study or work) + frugality, and saving religiously + reinvestment. But no, that would be too simple, easier to look to the fortune tellers, witch doctors, and lottery.

I couldn't agree more, but if the "powers that be" don't cull out the sangha of monks that perpetuate this crap, these people have even more to overcome. I mean, if you can't believe a monk, well then, who can you believe? You'd almost think that some segment of society stands to benefit by this perpetual cycle of ignorance and superstition that condemns these people to forever be nothing more than "labor".

This year is the The Year of the Briggsy. All beautiful women will suffer bad luck unless they contact me immediately and I will advise as to what steps to take to avoid evil spirits, etc, blah, blah

I can also heal ugly women and men from bad luck. Not even necessary to contact me, just transfer the lucky numbers of 888 Baht on my bank account Bangkok Bank.......

If say 80 % of the human beeings are idiots. Half of the thai idiots belive in lucky numbers, half of them belive my bs and transfer the money and I am a rich man.

PS.: more luck if you add 8 in from of the other numbers 8888 Baht....

Note

Many of the Astrologers and fortune tellers are not monks.

Incidentally our former great leader with the square face was told (and was a huge believer) that the colour yellow was incredibly unlucky for him for last year. That was why he would always try to wear a long sleeve jacket of dark colour to try to reduce the yellow.

Sadly, if only he could have realised that the power of yellow was what swept him out of power :-)

And stories like that are why these uneducated rice farmers have no problem in believing that changing names and so forth will bring them good fortune. However, it must also be said that when their lives are so linked to luck in weather, commodity pricing, good will of the PM and other forces seemingly totally outside their control, is it much wonder that they place faith in snake oil salesmen and other dodgy people?

That said, some woman read my fortune when I was born solely based on the date, and it is frightening how accurate it was. Much as I hate to admit that.

Also known as 'ngom ngai' behaviour. It's amazing how many folks refuse to accept that all it takes is: hard work (whether in study or work) + frugality, and saving religiously + reinvestment. But no, that would be too simple, easier to look to the fortune tellers, witch doctors, and lottery.

I couldn't agree more, but if the "powers that be" don't cull out the sangha of monks that perpetuate this crap, these people have even more to overcome. I mean, if you can't believe a monk, well then, who can you believe? You'd almost think that some segment of society stands to benefit by this perpetual cycle of ignorance and superstition that condemns these people to forever be nothing more than "labor".

Myself, I don't buy into the government as parent... or source of guidance and common sense. Sure, they should play a part, but on the whole these irrational beliefs start in the home. Anyway, there can never be much in terms of "culling" if there aren't enough folks to turn blatant scam artists in.

Note

Many of the Astrologers and fortune tellers are not monks.

Incidentally our former great leader with the square face was told (and was a huge believer) that the colour yellow was incredibly unlucky for him for last year. That was why he would always try to wear a long sleeve jacket of dark colour to try to reduce the yellow.

Sadly, if only he could have realised that the power of yellow was what swept him out of power :-)

And stories like that are why these uneducated rice farmers have no problem in believing that changing names and so forth will bring them good fortune. However, it must also be said that when their lives are so linked to luck in weather, commodity pricing, good will of the PM and other forces seemingly totally outside their control, is it much wonder that they place faith in snake oil salesmen and other dodgy people?

That said, some woman read my fortune when I was born solely based on the date, and it is frightening how accurate it was. Much as I hate to admit that.

I've got nothing against astrologers and fortunetellers per se, but I was referring to this:

"Surapong said he was told by a senior monk their first names and last name were now unlucky, but if they changed them, their lives would improve". which leaves a bad taste in my mouth whenever I see it. This isn't just for the consumption of ignorant Issan folk either. It's a rot that runs through the entire sangha. I'll give you an anecdote.

A friend of mine is a minor royal who lives in Bangkok. I kind of take care and drive her around whenever she comes to Chiang Mai. So, anyway, she's trying to sell Khunying somethingorothers land here in CM and flies in a high level Thai monk from India who has a Phd in pali

, therfore more potent or something to bless the land and make her rich. She says "Khun Ken, Phra *** speaks english and he says you can ask him anything you want". So I ask him "how did fortune telling and picking lottery numbers infect the Thai sangha, and how can it be ended"? He says. "OOOh! You want me to tell your fortune? I'd be happy to."

Incidentally our former great leader with the square face was told (and was a huge believer) that the colour yellow was incredibly unlucky for him for last year.

Yeah, but being a huge believer in his case, or in the case of say CP for that matter who actually keep imported "professional" fortune tellers on staff... is not being ngom ngai about it all. They might "believe" but they don't just listen to the fortune teller and then go off and take a nap, so to speak. They might ask the fortune teller whether it would be auspicious to open a layer chick operation in Indonesia AFTER their market research teams had crunched the numbers and the finance section had the capital required allocated. The countryside habit is to turn a blind eye to the latter and just focus on who the fortune teller was.

Myself, I don't buy into the government as parent... or source of guidance and common sense. Sure, they should play a part, but on the whole these irrational beliefs start in the home. Anyway, there can never be much in terms of "culling" if there aren't enough folks to turn blatant scam artists in.

Agree with you here. That cr@p even finds it's way to your home through television.

Ever seen that "astrologer" (there are quite a few) on one of the Thai channels? Sits behind a table where three overdone displays of "medicinal" products are stacked 5 high.

The audience calls in, a few words are exchanged, followed by about 30 seconds of dead airtime while the "astrologer" consults his..................... LAPTOP!

Myself, I don't buy into the government as parent... or source of guidance and common sense. Sure, they should play a part, but on the whole these irrational beliefs start in the home. Anyway, there can never be much in terms of "culling" if there aren't enough folks to turn blatant scam artists in.

Agree with you here. That cr@p even finds it's way to your home through television.

Ever seen that "astrologer" (there are quite a few) on one of the Thai channels? Sits behind a table where three overdone displays of "medicinal" products are stacked 5 high.

The audience calls in, a few words are exchanged, followed by about 30 seconds of dead airtime while the "astrologer" consults his..................... LAPTOP!

I don't know this show. When's it on?

Myself, I don't buy into the government as parent... or source of guidance and common sense. Sure, they should play a part, but on the whole these irrational beliefs start in the home. Anyway, there can never be much in terms of "culling" if there aren't enough folks to turn blatant scam artists in.

Agree with you here. That cr@p even finds it's way to your home through television.

Ever seen that "astrologer" (there are quite a few) on one of the Thai channels? Sits behind a table where three overdone displays of "medicinal" products are stacked 5 high.

The audience calls in, a few words are exchanged, followed by about 30 seconds of dead airtime while the "astrologer" consults his..................... LAPTOP!

I don't know this show. When's it on?

Sometime between 6- 8. Usually stumble upon it while we're having dinner.

Myself, I don't buy into the government as parent... or source of guidance and common sense. Sure, they should play a part, but on the whole these irrational beliefs start in the home. Anyway, there can never be much in terms of "culling" if there aren't enough folks to turn blatant scam artists in.

Agree with you here. That cr@p even finds it's way to your home through television.

Ever seen that "astrologer" (there are quite a few) on one of the Thai channels? Sits behind a table where three overdone displays of "medicinal" products are stacked 5 high.

The audience calls in, a few words are exchanged, followed by about 30 seconds of dead airtime while the "astrologer" consults his..................... LAPTOP!

I don't know this show. When's it on?

Sometime between 6- 8. Usually stumble upon it while we're having dinner.

Thank you

Amazing that these charlatans are allowed to do business on tv isn't it?

I really hope it does change for the good.

Best wishes to you all up north, from another northener!

Hope one day you will be running the country from there, and that the elitist <deleted> in bangkok get a taste of rice farming

I have a better idea: Write up everyone that falls for scams like this a blacklist them from voting.

I'd rather live with <deleted> then ignorant drunks...

If you think that is stupid, Banharn, a former PM, once tried to change his date of birth to someting more aspicious.

Banharn had a very logical reason to change his age. He wanted to prove he had been old enough to finish, I think it was junior school, at that time. Some say he left after grade 4, not 6.

Amazing that these charlatans are allowed to do business on tv isn't it?

Don't the American bible thumpers do it every day, trying to drum up funds?

I have a better idea: Write up everyone that falls for scams like this a blacklist them from voting.

I'd rather live with <deleted> then ignorant drunks...

I am a little unclear here. Who are the <deleted> and who are the ignorant drunks? Please forgive my confusion.

I have a better idea: Write up everyone that falls for scams like this a blacklist them from voting.

I'd rather live with <deleted> then ignorant drunks...

I am a little unclear here. Who are the <deleted> and who are the ignorant drunks? Please forgive my confusion.

I drink, therefore...I am not a <deleted>!!! Brilliant proof :-)

Actually, there are lots of scams. Chiropractors for instance. Multilevel marketing. Fortune telling. Each serves a purpose by meeting a need.

Unforunately, much of Thailand (and poor people worldwide) has a need for instant wealth through luck rather than hard work. That's why lotteries are predominantly a 'poor person' tax; except when it comes to Chinese; I think the NZ casinos used to refer to the casino revenue share going to the government as the 'Chinese income tax' since it was widely believed that most Asian immigrants didn't bother to pay full tax as they were self employed and skimmed the till (and that was a fair assumption).

One only need go to the thread ongoing at the moment of the woman who borrowed 14k, which has ballooned to 28k in a couple of years, and now is going to her boss (posting here) asking for a raise to pay for her loan; PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.

The world is going an ugly way when fat people expect to be treated the same as thin on aircraft; where a fast food chain is responsible for obesity and where fortune tellers are more important than hard work.

I have a better idea: Write up everyone that falls for scams like this a blacklist them from voting.

I'd rather live with <deleted> then ignorant drunks...

I am a little unclear here. Who are the <deleted> and who are the ignorant drunks? Please forgive my confusion.

See Duponts original post as to whom he called '<deleted>'. His words, not mine.

The local charlatans remind me of US charlatans (like TV evanglists who drum up donations for your "eternal salvation")....

but remember, following the local supersitions and customs (whether in the East or the West) have a very good business reasons....if enough people believe in it, its MUCH better to follow auspicious dates, times, blessings, fung shui directions, colors, fortunes etc... things will run much smoother

If you think that is stupid, Banharn, a former PM, once tried to change his date of birth to someting more aspicious.

Banharn had a very logical reason to change his age. He wanted to prove he had been old enough to finish, I think it was junior school, at that time. Some say he left after grade 4, not 6.

Junior hight school? I'm talking about being the PM in mid 90-ies and being predicted that he'd lose his post that year. He then seriously considered changing his birthdate so that he could get a better prediction.

If you think that is stupid, Banharn, a former PM, once tried to change his date of birth to someting more aspicious.

Banharn had a very logical reason to change his age. He wanted to prove he had been old enough to finish, I think it was junior school, at that time. Some say he left after grade 4, not 6.

Junior hight school? I'm talking about being the PM in mid 90-ies and being predicted that he'd lose his post that year. He then seriously considered changing his birthdate so that he could get a better prediction.

I remember him being attacked for lying about his education, someone claimed he had never completed Pratom 6 and had adjusted his age to show he had.

Who knows, the old fox could yet again be PM.

The Queen of England has 2 birthdays by the way, handy for predictions, just choose the most auspicious.

What do fortune tellers do regarding caesarian births? Surely an artificial time?

Didn't Banharn also change the nationality of his father after his death? From Chinese to Thai.