For most of Europe, Thailand is all about Holiday, Lady-boys and Thai massage. It used to be a nice place for retirement. Some of my friends sold their houses in Europe to go to Thailand. They thought they could buy a house and run a small B&B for rest of their life. It was good idea … until 2006.
A friend of mine, as he could not afford expensive University fees in the States, decided go to study somewhere else. He went to Bangkok with his savings in 2010. He thought his savings were enough to pay university fees in Thailand and he can support himself by teaching English there. He was wrong. Three months after he arrived in Thailand, he experienced the Thai peoples power, protesters taking over the streets and airport, military firing at protesters and shutting down schools and businesses. He lost his job and had no university course to go to for almost 2 months.
Since 2006 There were several political crises linked with huge protests in the country, and the key person is Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister. These protesters are either simply against him or support him, and both sides declare they are people’s voice . In this article I will trying to use Mundane astrology to study this series of political fights after Thailand had become democratic.
Thailand is a constitutional monarchy. The head of country is King Rama IX. Before 1997, the military were the real rulers of Thailand. in 1991 the People protested against Military’s rule which almost lead to civil war. King Rama IX got involved and urged both sides to find a peaceful solution. This started the process of democracy and resulted in the 1997 constitution, the so called people’s constitution.
Thailand‘s natal chart is set to 6 Apr 1782 6:54 Bangkok when King Rama I started the Chakri Dynasty. As Thailand is still a monarchy, I suggest using this chart although I was tempted to use the chart set by the constitution. However it looks like 1782 chart has more resonance with Thailand’s political events. This chart has Ascendent on Taurus, Sun in Aries 16 degree and Moon on 29 Capricorn conjunct MC. Jupiter on 28 Sagittarius (this raises an alarm for astrologers who use the Galactic Center) conjunct Saturn on 1 degree Capricorn. This Jupiter Saturn conjunction opposite by Uranus on 29 Gemini .
The decline of military rule started in 1991 when Neptune and Uranus in mid Capricorn and getting square Natal Sun and Nodal axis in 16 Aries and transit Saturn was passed by Natal Pluto . In 1992 the important political crisis Bloody May almost become a civil war, this event occurred on 17-20 May 1992, the square between Ne/So Ur/So was even tighter, and transit nodal axis was on natal Jupiter Saturn conjunction, Tr Mars opposite Na Neptune. Solar Arc Saturn was on 24 Cancer tight conjunct Ic. SA Neptune square Na Moon has encouraged the peoples protest.
The Sun Moon of Solar Eclipse on 15 Jan 1991 was on 25 degrees Capricorn, if we cast chart on Bangkok it will conjunct Ascendent on exact degree. Which also means it conjunct on Thailand country chart’s Mc. The Eclipse on Jun 1992 Thailand also has Uranus conjunct SE chart ‘s Ascendent, a sign of change in rule.
Thaksin Shinawatra
Business tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra’s Thai Rak Thai Party won the first general election on 2001 and was re-elected in 2005 . However allegations of Shinawatra’s corruption never stopped and finally lead to the anti-government protests in 2006 and very soon the military launched a coup d’etat during Thaksin Shinawatra visit New York.
I don’t have Thaksin’s birthtime , I will use noon chart for this article, compare his chart with 1782 chart, we can understand why he been so popular in Thailand even after been overthrown 6 years ago. He has Sun Moon Mercury Pluto Leo stallium, his Jupiter on 26 Capricorn right on Thailand country chart’s Mc and Moon, as the Thai were expecting more freedom after 1997 constitution and urged to recover from 1997 South East Asia Crisis , Thai people were expecting a Jupiter type of leader, Thaksin, with his Jupiter conjunct Moon and his stallium in country chart’s 4th house, we can understand why Thaksin were so popular and according the media his support are most form countryside mostly farmers.
Thaksin also has Neptune on Thailand chart ‘s south node, giving illusion and dreams. And do not underestimate his Mars Uranus conjunct Thailand’s Uranus and opposite Thailand Saturn Jupiter. It does not matter what time he was born, together with Sun, his Moon will always opposite 1782 chat’s Pluto a planet associated with Power struggle scandal and corruption. I did not suggest this like is a sign of corruption but only want to point out when someone has a personal planet or Asc/Mc connect with country’s Pluto, are easily involved with power struggle and being projected with an image of power, secrets and scandal. This could explain the unsettled situation after his first premiership.
The 16 Sep 2006 when the military took power, Transit Pluto was close to 1782 chart’s Jupiter and opposite Uranus. Both Solar Eclipse of that year have Mars on Angle, the Solar Eclipse on March has Pluto on 26 Sagittarius opposite Mars on Mc/Ic.
Although the Thai Rak Thai party was dissolved in 2006 and Thaksin stayed in exile, he still had a huge influence in the country. His supporters come back to power with a different Party name “People’s power party”. Since 2006 Thailand‘s political crisis was based on Pro and anti Thaksin Shinawatra.
The Pro-Shinawatra camp formed the National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship leading several protests during the military reign until they were back in power in 2007.
In Oct 2008, the Anti-Shinawatra camp, lead by the People’s Alliance for Democracy, took over Bangkok airport and forced the Pro-Shinawatra Prime Minister to step down and the leader of the opposition formed a New government.
From 2006 to 2008 Sa Uranus conjunct 1782 chart ‘s Pluto , Sa Saturn opposite Pluto, Sa Jupiter Saturn square Chiron in 1st. With transit Pluto conjunct tighter and tighter to 1782 chart’s Jupiter Saturn, Thai society is more unsettled.
In early 2010 the pro-Shinawatra camp had several protests. They occupied Bangkok’s business district for 2 months and in the end, the Government used force to end this protest. Even though a couple of the movement’s leaders surrendered themselves to police, the Pro-Shinawatra party Pheu Thai won the election in 2011. Yingluck Shinawatra (Thakshin’s sister) become Prime minister.
In early 2010 Tr Pluto still conjunct 1782’s Saturn, Tr Saturn conjunct Neptune, Tr Uranus on Venus. The solar eclipse on 15 Jan 2010 has Sun Moon on 25 Capricorn (again), this suggests Eclipse point on 1782 chart’s Mc. And if you still remember, the last time a Solar Eclipse was in the same sign and same degree was 19 years ago and at that time, in 1991, Thailand has a political movement which led to democracy. However this 2010 eclipse chart also has Asc conjunct Na Mars, Tr Uranus conjunct Chart ruler Venus, Tr Saturn conjunct Neptune, Tr Pluto conjunct Saturn. Node on So/Mo midpoint.
In Aug 2013 Pheu Thai Party pass amnesty Bill which believed by oppostion can help Thakshin Shinawatra return to Thailand. Opposition soon call the demonstrations to against this bill. Although this bill has been reject by the Senate of Thailand but the anti government camp still call for strike and ask Prime Minister step down. On 1 Dec 2013 violence erupted between the pro and anti government camps, causing 5 death and 54 injuries.
We can see Sa Sun opposite 1782‘s Na Mars, Sa Pluto opposite Na Venus . Tr Neptune and Tr Chiron on Nov 2013 Solar Eclipse chart’s Mc. Tr Neptune and Tr Chiron on Nov 2013 Solar Eclipse chart’s Mc. Capricorn ingress chart has Sun near IC and astromap shows that Ma/Pl paran are very close to Bangkok.
In the astromap we can see the 3 Nov 2013 SE map has Neptune MC and Chiron Mc near bangkok , but if we look at Geodetic we understand why this unsettle get more tension as Pluto IC line was near Bangkok.
On 1 Dec 2013 when the fight between Thailand anti-government protester and Thaksin supporters cause 5 death and 54 injured . Pluto IC line on Geodetic map was nearly bangkok, which we can not see it on other format .
The Uranus Pluto square from 2011 to 2013 seems have very little to do with 1782’ s chart but more close to new year 2014 , we can see the Cardinal grand cross pick up 1782 chart’s Sun the leadership. In Solar Eclipse 29 April 2014 , Uranus Mars opposition near 13 Aries Libra on 1872 chart’s Sun and Node.
King Rama IX, Bhumipol
I am very curious about King Rama IX , not only he been the longest reign monarchy in Thailand , also he respect by his people , although he doesn’t really own the power but during bloody May 1992 he is able to hold both side and urged them to made peaceful result. I usually don’t use King or Queen’s chart for a country unless they really own reign of country. However I want to give a go with King Rama IX ‘s chart as i have his birthday. He has Sun in Sagittarius and Moon in 28 Aries , Asc on 4 Capricorn Mc on 0 Scorpio.
In 1992 Tr Pluto on 21 Scorpio conjunct King’s Mercury square Tr Saturn on 18 Aquarius. Tr Uranus Neptune was opposite his Pluto. Sa Moon conjunct Des, Sa Saturn 150 Na Pluto. We notice grand cross in Spring 2014 , will also pick up his 16 degrees Capricorn Pluto.
It looks like King Rama IX’s chart also fit into recent Thailand’s political event, and as the Pluto is Mc ruler in his chart.I wondering what ‘s going to happen in Thailand when the grand cross hit this sensitive point.
I have look at solar eclipse chart on 29 Apr 2014 , on that time we will still experience the cardinal grand cross and usually eclipse has at least 3 months forward backward effect. SE Sa conjunct on SE chart’s IC , Grand cross on 11-14 degree of cardinal sign pick up 1782’s So & N.N and King Rama IX’s Pluto , SE So Mo conjunct 1782’s Chiron .
2014 Cancer Ingress chart has Chiron near the Ic and Libra Ingress chart has Jupiter on Mc square Saturn on Asc. And “Yes” we understand this is a big time of global economic, as Ju-90-Sa and Sa-90-Ne going to hit everyone between 2014-2016 , My question is would Thailand hit by the first wave of Ju-Sa waning square as both planets take over MC ASC in 2014 Libra ingress ?
Also look at the Geodetic map, Pluto will move away from Bangkok from Feb 2014 and come back after Summer, It will get closer near August and September 2014 , this suggest Thailand will face another upheaval around this time.
