Followers don white, clean, pray for victory
Written by Writer on Monday, November 10th, 2008
POLITICS
Sorcerer Sondhi wards off evil
Followers don white, clean, pray for victory
KULTIDA SAMABUDDHI
People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) supporters yesterday cleaned the Government House compound as part of the latest Sondhi Limthongkul-led spiritual rite aimed at warding off spirits and ushering in a long-awaited victory.
Sondhi Limthongkul, leader of the People’s Alliance for Democracy, sprinkles holy water inside the Government Housecompoundto repel bad luck and evil spirits. JETJARASNARANONG
About 100 PAD supporters, who were dressed in white and claimed to be practitioners of the five main precepts of Buddhism, took part in the dhamma walk around the rally site at 9am.
They were not allowed to talk during the procession and were required to collect every piece of rubbish they spotted on the way. They were also told to meditate and pray for victory.
Donning a white outfit and sprinkling holy water around the compound, the PAD leader looked more like a sorcerer than the head of the anti-government movement.
The PAD supporters were, however, familiar with their leader’s wizard-like performance as they had joined several other such rites since the PAD renewed its political rally in May.
“My dear brothers and sisters, this is a sacred activity. My revered masters told me to perform this ritual to counter evil spirits and to clear this area [to make way] for our triumph,” he told the crowd on Saturday night.
The ritual was held after the PAD was targeted in a series of bombings by unknown assailants that injured some of their guards.
It was held a day after PAD received the news that the British government had revoked the visas of Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Khunying Potjaman.
Spiritual rites and incantations have been performed by the PAD on numerous occasions.
The rituals, which have been conducted in various forms, have usually been held after Mr Sondhi has told demonstrators about black magic performed by his enemies, especially the one he calls the “Khmer wizard”, as they attempt to destroy the PAD and strengthen their side.
The Khmer wizard is said to be Newin Chidchob, a former Thai Rak Thai executive and one of Thaksin’s close aides.
There have also been reports of PAD members placing used sanitary napkins at the statue of King Rama V to counter the black magic of the Khmer wizard, which is supposedly blocking the statue’s power backing the PAD.
Some political observers believe the PAD’s obsession with these rituals resulted from Mr Sondhi’s alleged belief in black magic, while others say it is merely a strategy.
Political scientist Prajak Kongkirati, of Thammasat University, said the rituals are aimed at boosting the morale of the PAD supporters by making them believe they are waging a holy war.
Such rituals help the supporters feel that their cause is connected and blessed by sacred things.
“These kinds of spiritual activities are very much needed at a time when a political or social movement faces declining support from the public.
“The leaders have to do something to lift the demonstrators’ spirits,” he said.
But such activities can also backfire, Mr Prajak warned.
An obsession with the supernatural could tarnish the image and lessen the credibility of the PAD, which could be seen as an irrational movement rather than a powerful group of people who produce solid evidence about the government’s flaws, he said.
Mr Sondhi denied he was a practitioner of black magic.
“I don’t believe in black magic. The rituals I performed are paying homage to sacred spirits and my respected teachers. The activities are dhamma-based,” he told the demonstrators during his daily speech in the evening.
A staunch PAD supporter said he did not mind Mr Sondhi resorting to such methods to boost the supporters’ spirits.
“He has to use every means to win this war. There is nothing wrong with using these kind of activities to mobilise the people,” he said.
Bangkok Post
Monday November 10, 2008
