Lots of smart people on this forum (and I do hope the replies will be intelligent and well informed).

Throughout history the arrival of comets have been harbingers of great calamity and/or superstitious ritual.

What is the history of Thailand with respect to Comets?

What are the myths or superstitions, religious and/or social, surrounding these astronomical phenomena in Thailand?

Thank you,

Mark

Logic would say they would have something tied into comets. Excellent question. Not sure the proper way to spell it but I believe it is pronounced daw-hang. I've also heard u-kaa-bat used. If one of you more fluent gents would care to point out the correct one, or the use for both, I'd appreciate it.

I believe u-kaa-bat is used for meteorites. A big meteor shower a number of years ago was called colloquially "fon dao-dok." Dao-hang for comets is similarly descriptive, meaning star with a tail. My advice would be to find a temple known for astrology and talk to a monk about the meaning of comets. Even if he doesn't know much, he can probably make up something convincing on the spot. Good luck!

I believe u-kaa-bat is used for meteorites. A big meteor shower a number of years ago was called colloquially "fon dao-dok." Dao-hang for comets is similarly descriptive, meaning star with a tail. My advice would be to find a temple known for astrology and talk to a monk about the meaning of comets. Even if he doesn't know much, he can probably make up something convincing on the spot. Good luck!

Excellent post. Thank you.

I was never quite sure why I would also hear u-kaa-bat regarding comets, but it was meteorites they were talking about. Makes total sense.

Comets

Thought one passed me just this morning, then realized it was a teen on a Honda Click.

I assume you're asking because of the "silver surfer" headed our way?

King Mongkut, father of Chulalongkorn, was a very accomplished astonomer, and the tradition of astral observation in Siam goes back to time immemorial. There are interesting English accounts of Mongkut's expedition to observe the eclipse of 1868, but I don't know anything about his research into comets. As with most subjects, I'm sure there are both demotic and scholarly histories, but I'm sure almost everything is in Thai language.

I assume you're asking because of the "silver surfer" headed our way?

Yes, I am.........

Sorry. Misunderstood your query.

If anyone notices this relatively short-lived comet, I predict a surge in tsunami warnings by Thai scientists, and rumors of Bangkok's imminent immersion.

Cross posted.

http://www.thaivisa....-superstitions/