Daily Archives: February 16, 2006

Stories from the Thai Press – 05

The Lottery Number Fortune Telling Monk!

(Story from the Thai language ‘Thai Raj’ newspaper – 16 February)

Just yesterday, a whole gathering of reporters ventured over to Wat Kamphaeng in Bangkok yesterday to see for themselves the local’s most-loved monk! Over the past couple of months the monk has amazingly forecasted the Government Lottery’s 3-Digit number – absolutely spot-on! From once being a nobody-monk, he is now the rising star of the neighbourhood after the locals have also cashed in on his ‘spooky-style forecasting!’

In fact, the reporters were soon surprised to learn for themselves that the ‘fortune telling monk’ wasn’t even a Thai native, but instead a Khmer called ‘Phra Manee’ who learnt how to forecast the ‘government lottery number’ when he was just an 11 year-old kid!

Before Phra Manee was about to start the ‘3-digit number ritual’, hundreds of followers had swamped the temple with pen and paper in to hand to write down the ‘lucky numbers’.

Using a plastic bucket, a candle and holy water in the fascinating ritual (see picture below!) the monk forecast ‘617’, ‘816’ and ‘016’ (see above picture!). Before you could say… even ‘Golly Googly Gosh’ the crowds had dashed out of the temple in search of the nearest ‘Governement Lottery Ticket Vendor’. (not forgetting to insert some spare cash into the temple’s donation box first….of course)

On interviewing another monk (Phra Chaiwat) of the same temple about the exploits of ‘The Fortune Telling Monk’ he told the reporters that ‘Phra Manee’ had been venturing throughout the Isarn region of Thailand before he was invited to reside at Wat Kamphaeng to assist the temple in ‘making money’.

Whatever this has to do with Buddhism – beats me! (not written in the newspaper!)

Related Links: ThaiLotteryResults.com – the latest winning numbers
Related Links: WinThaiLottery.com – how to find your lucky number

Good Blogs from the Past – 02

Pattaya beach

Pattaya Beach

It is time again to look at some of the best blogs from this time last year. Even if you have read some of these already, they are worth revisiting. For new readers to our blogs, this is a good opportunity to have an introduction to the wealth of good blogs we have in our archives.

Some Festivals and Events coming soon:

  • Now: Bangkok International Film Festival
  • 16–20 February: King Narai Fair in Lop Buri
  • 3–5 March: Boon Pawet merit-making fair in Roi-et
  • 4–5 March: ASEAN Barred Ground Dove festival in Yala
  • 11–15 March: International Kite Festival in Cha-am
  • 14–15 March: Thailand Kite Festival at Sanam Luang in Bangkok

If you have any stories about these and other Thailand festivals, then please send us an email. We will then publish your story with pictures in the Guest Writer section.