Recent Transport Disasters Blamed On Spirits

[TackyToo]

Nobody seems to have taken Techboy's "Father, Son and Holy Ghost" bait. Pity, I was hoping to hear about the merits of angels and saints and things .....

As a confirmed atheist I'm up for it. What's so different about Thais making merit or having ceremonies to placate evil spirits and any of the other religions in the World. Isn't a common practice to have a fishing fleet blessed by a priest for good luck and what about all the unbelievable bull that goes on with proving "miracles" that is required for a person to become a saint. I won't go into the angels or heaven and hell scenario as it would take too much time. Moving on from the Catholic church what about the evangelist Christians and their amazing behaviour. It's all just hocus-pocus superstition that was created to control the great unwashed masses hundreds or thousands of years ago or in todays world, make lots of money. Thailand's superstitious beliefs are no different to the religions that prevail in so called 1st world western countries. I think all of it is Bull...t but being critical of Thailand's version only is very biased

The topic of this forum was the post above. The subject is about what happens here and now in 2013 or if you want 2556. There is no need to tell everyone there are other morons doing similar stupid things in other corners of the world. That won’t make what happened here any different or any better.

[hansnl]

Spirits

As in spiritual phenomenons?

Or as in alcoholic beverages?

[MaxYakov]

Previously, Thai Rath has reported that a ghost in "traditional costume" (which strangely resembles the outfit Thai Airways flight attendants wear) has helped evacuate the passengers from the aircraft shortly after it slid off the runway.

Must have been an air ghostess!

Good one! Makes one wonder when the 'ghostess' might be promoted to 'co-pilot', eh?

http://www.amazon.com/God-My-Pilot-Robert-Scott/dp/1178805743

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037746/

Then there is Auckland's Novotel Airport official blessing Ceremony:

http://www.aucklandairport.co.nz/Corporate/NewsAndMedia/AllMediaReleases/NOVOTEL-opening-ceremony.aspx

Or how about a A blessing ceremony, led by Kahu Kimokeo Kapahulehua for Maui, Hawaii Airport's new shuttle service:

http://mauinow.com/2013/08/02/roberts-hawai%CA%BBi-hires-39-for-newly-launched-airport-shuttle/

I could cite thousands of examples of invocation of the supernatural for a blessing in the West, but, I'm sure you get my drift: Thailand does not exactly have a monopoly on the (hopefully, only partial) reliance on the supernatural to promote 'good luck' (or whatever you want to call it). I'm sure most of us have heard of the Trinity - the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, right?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinity

And, yes, observance or invocation of the supernatural is done around the world by men and women with a lot more power and responsibility than the CEO of Thai Airways.

Edited September 15, 2013 by MaxYakov

[Soutpeel]

Nobody seems to have taken Techboy's "Father, Son and Holy Ghost" bait. Pity, I was hoping to hear about the merits of angels and saints and things .....

If the rumor is true, I heard Father Christmas was out in front of the airbus on his sled guiding the plane in landing lights being provided by the tooth fairy

[Credo]

I have absolutely no problem with people paying heed to culture, tradition and superstition. I just have trouble when it is the people whom we depend on to handle the less spiritual portion of safety who are doing it. Let the monks do the cleansing and chanting.

[Soutpeel]

Previously, Thai Rath has reported that a ghost in "traditional costume" (which strangely resembles the outfit Thai Airways flight attendants wear) has helped evacuate the passengers from the aircraft shortly after it slid off the runway.

Must have been an air ghostess!

Good one! Makes one wonder when the 'ghostess' might be promoted to 'co-pilot', eh?

http://www.amazon.com/God-My-Pilot-Robert-Scott/dp/1178805743

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037746/

Then there is Auckland's Novotel Airport official blessing Ceremony:

http://www.aucklandairport.co.nz/Corporate/NewsAndMedia/AllMediaReleases/NOVOTEL-opening-ceremony.aspx

Or how about a A blessing ceremony, led by Kahu Kimokeo Kapahulehua for Maui, Hawaii Airport's new shuttle service:

http://mauinow.com/2013/08/02/roberts-hawai%CA%BBi-hires-39-for-newly-launched-airport-shuttle/

I could cite thousands of examples of invocation of the supernatural for a blessing in the West, but, I'm sure you get my drift: Thailand does not exactly have a monopoly on the (hopefully, only partial) reliance on the supernatural to promote 'good luck' (or whatever you want to call it). I'm sure most of us have heard of the Trinity - the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, right?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinity

Giving a blessing to appease the spirits Iand bring good luck is one thing I guess, but something else for a high up in a company to come out ad say their recent mishap was because of the spirits

[richardjm65]

I'm hoping that we can expect passenger safety to be further enhanced by the addition of a nice ceremony just prior to take-off, with chanting monks going up and down the aisles and flicking lucky water around. Not sure how that would work in the cockpit, but something could be worked out.

Once that's all done, passengers and crew can settle down secure in the knowledge that the flight will be a safe one. And think of the tourists - experiencing real Thai culture at the click of a seat belt.

[kirk0233]

Even if the airport officials and others don't believe in these spirits, they have to pretend they do. It would be like a rational politician in the west saying he didn't believe the superstitious nonsense of Christianity. It would only get him in trouble. Unfortunately a majority of the population of the planet wants to believe in spirits for their own benefit - a life after death.

[klauskunkel]

Cartoon Country!

Other smaller shrines include a strangely named "Italian Shrine".

This one is for the ghost of bad pizzas

[deecee10]

It's true. I know those spirits personally. One of them is named Jack Daniels.

I think another couple are called Johnny Walker and Jim Beam.

They are known to leave messages in a bottle, to help with spiritual guidance.

[chainarong]

This is a step in the right direction, divine intervention works all the time, one can't understand why Thaskin Shinawatra hasn't thought of this to return back to Thailand, but then he thinks he is god, their in lies the difference.

[belg]

you really must love thai attitude

blame it on the spirits, the farangs, some else

[MaxYakov]

Previously, Thai Rath has reported that a ghost in "traditional costume" (which strangely resembles the outfit Thai Airways flight attendants wear) has helped evacuate the passengers from the aircraft shortly after it slid off the runway.

Must have been an air ghostess!

Good one! Makes one wonder when the 'ghostess' might be promoted to 'co-pilot', eh?

http://www.amazon.com/God-My-Pilot-Robert-Scott/dp/1178805743

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037746/

Then there is Auckland's Novotel Airport official blessing Ceremony:

http://www.aucklandairport.co.nz/Corporate/NewsAndMedia/AllMediaReleases/NOVOTEL-opening-ceremony.aspx

Or how about a A blessing ceremony, led by Kahu Kimokeo Kapahulehua for Maui, Hawaii Airport's new shuttle service:

http://mauinow.com/2013/08/02/roberts-hawai%CA%BBi-hires-39-for-newly-launched-airport-shuttle/

I could cite thousands of examples of invocation of the supernatural for a blessing in the West, but, I'm sure you get my drift: Thailand does not exactly have a monopoly on the (hopefully, only partial) reliance on the supernatural to promote 'good luck' (or whatever you want to call it). I'm sure most of us have heard of the Trinity - the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, right?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinity

Giving a blessing to appease the spirits Iand bring good luck is one thing I guess, but something else for a high up in a company to come out ad say their recent mishap was because of the spirits

I don't think he went as far as to blame the incident on the spirits, did he (I don't feel obligated to trust the source)?

This man has mind-boggling credentials:

http://www.staralliance.com/en/about/airlines/management/sorajak-kasemsuvan-TG/

Was playing the 'Spirit card' some kind of inscrutable ploy to appease more than just the spirits? Now my interest is piqued.

But if it is indeed the case, the only thing I can say is (as usual and like most others): TiT

Edited September 15, 2013 by MaxYakov

[Bcgardener]

Nobody seems to have taken Techboy's "Father, Son and Holy Ghost" bait. Pity, I was hoping to hear about the merits of angels and saints and things .....

As a confirmed atheist I'm up for it. What's so different about Thais making merit or having ceremonies to placate evil spirits and any of the other religions in the World. Isn't a common practice to have a fishing fleet blessed by a priest for good luck and what about all the unbelievable bull that goes on with proving "miracles" that is required for a person to become a saint. I won't go into the angels or heaven and hell scenario as it would take too much time. Moving on from the Catholic church what about the evangelist Christians and their amazing behaviour. It's all just hocus-pocus superstition that was created to control the great unwashed masses hundreds or thousands of years ago or in todays world, make lots of money. Thailand's superstitious beliefs are no different to the religions that prevail in so called 1st world western countries. I think all of it is Bull...t but being critical of Thailand's version only is very biased

The topic of this forum was the post above. The subject is about what happens here and now in 2013 or if you want 2556. There is no need to tell everyone there are other morons doing similar stupid things in other corners of the world. That won’t make what happened here any different or any better.

There is what is politely called Thai focused criticism in this forum. I was simply pointing out that this sort of behaviour is not a solely Thai thing and that many other countries, some of which I am sure the posters come from have similar ridiculous ceremonies. What, there are no haunted houses or ghosts in the UK?

[Sunderland]

What next hanging garlands from the engines and wings of all Thai planes

Do you mean they don't have them already??? No wonder that TG flight had a problem.

[Bcgardener]

Even if the airport officials and others don't believe in these spirits, they have to pretend they do. It would be like a rational politician in the west saying he didn't believe the superstitious nonsense of Christianity. It would only get him in trouble. Unfortunately a majority of the population of the planet wants to believe in spirits for their own benefit - a life after death.

Thank you for that I believe you have perfectly explained the situation (at least I hope that was the CEO's reasoning). Stating you are an atheist and that religion is just superstitious nonsense would be political suicide for anyone in western politics.

[tingtong]

now we know that Thailand has another success story added to the list:

from now on, officially the HUB of SPIRITS too, good and bad, nothing less!!

[1plumber]

Maybe these sort of comments are designed for the domestic audience? A lot of simple, and also not so simple, Thai folk will be very relieved to know the airline and airport are making some merit. I guess the airline and airport staff also.

Of course, it sounds loony tunes to an international audience, but the stories were in Thai publications. So long as they don't get international exposure, fine.

I do hope safety procedures are being looked at as well as spirit ceremonies though.

Oh Why would they address safety when it is in the hands of some unhappy spirits. Don't have someone lose face for not doing their job or spend more money on the issues.

[tomyummer]

Supernatural forces, spirits, karma, blah, blah, blah.

Utterly embarrassing. I'm out to buy some lottery tickets. Anyone know the plane's registration number?

[GentlemanJim]

Supernatural forces, spirits, karma, blah, blah, blah.

Utterly embarrassing. I'm out to buy some lottery tickets. Anyone know the plane's registration number?

666 ??

[Malthus101]

"He said his company will conduct a major ceremony to appease the malevolent spirits said to be haunting the airport."

Right. That's it.

I am NEVER going to fly Thai airways.

Not joking. I always wanted to, as their branding etc seems great and I heard good things.

But when it comes to safety and flying, if some superstitious <deleted> says he blames it on spirits, no <deleted> way am I taking my life in my hands by flying with maniacs like that. It will be good, solid Western airlines I fly with, the ones who "do that science stuff."

[SSSlongtime]

whats he on ,can i have some

[GentlemanJim]

Well, there is always something or someone can take my breath away when I read Thai Visa every day but this is a first. My wife just came in to the kitchen area to hear me chewing on my museli and banana saying out loud 'Unbelievable, totally frakking unbelievable'.

I really am in total disbelief that the Managing Director of an international airline, a flag carrier no less is issuing a public statement of this magnitude. Thai Airways has today, taken the heat of every other airline in the world because they have just become the laughing stock of aviation the world over. Perhaps their new strap line should be 'Thai Airways - Taking you to new heights'. New heights of folly and hilarity that is.

I am sure that the FAA and EASA will be overjoyed that the aircraft flying into it's airspace from Thailand have been the subject of the additional maintenance procedure of spirit appeasing. I do hope that mention of this countermeasure will be placed on the final inspection report of the 'botched' landing at swampy. The heads of FAA and EASA should both ban Thai Airways aircraft from their airspace with immediate effect until a complete clarification has taken place of the stance of the airline and in particular it's senior management, some positions (appointments) I might add which are required to meet approval of domestic CAA's.

To know of the poverty round that airport and to learn that they have a condo, built for the spirits is too much. I can just imagine the comments of every crew that land at swampy from now on. The pilots in the front will be taking the piss relentlessly.

Where was I, oh yes, I am turning blue as my breath has been taken away, I need to breath and my fingers cannot type fast enough to convey my thoughts. Time to breath and finish my museli.

Sounds sort of like a lot of sclerotic raving. Finish your daily museli so that you will stay "regular" and then time for your daily constitutional nap?

A 'sclerotic' raving ? Now there's an interesting one to debate what on earth you mean. And is a 'constitutional' nap the kind of thing they are arguing about in Parliament?

[MaxYakov]

Supernatural forces, spirits, karma, blah, blah, blah.

Utterly embarrassing. I'm out to buy some lottery tickets. Anyone know the plane's registration number?

Sure. No problem:

[LeeTheCelt]

I think he needs to do a human sacrifice to the gods, that's what the druids used to do 2000 years ago, to keep Britain & Ireland rolling along nicely 555

[tubby johnson]

Third-world answers given to questions asked by first-world technology.

Pathetic.

[cloghead]

Thai Airways should get the country's head monk to bless a tanker truck full of aviation gas then squirt one liter into the fuel tank of each plane. That should remove any bad ju-ju the aircraft have and prevent any future mishaps. Problem solved...

Edited September 15, 2013 by cloghead

[marcusd]

OMG!!!! IS This For REAL? we are talkinga MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPANY. I see them as thenew blind joke of the world.

Time to take longer fights home on Singapore air

Sent from my GT-N7000B using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[tubby johnson]

It sounds bizarre, but as a Kiwi I'm used to this sort of spirit thing. The Maori in NZ dominate all aspects of life relating to their spirituality. If a new public building is built, the Maori must bless it and scare away the evil spirits. Recently a helicopter pilot got fined for hovering over a mountain and apparently causing massive cultural dramas because the mountain was sacred to the Maori. I could go on and on.

So whilst the Thai may sound a bit third worldly in regard to their respect/fear of the spirits, look at first world NZ where the native culture is all pervasive and the entire country has to kow-tow to their beliefs.

Proof that even developed countries have primitive, ghost-fearing minorities in their midst. But that's no reason to indulge their hocus pocus.

Thai Airways and the State Railways ought to confront their own incompetence before whining that ghosts are to blame for everything.

[bangarang]

only in thailand...