‘Don’t ring the bell’
First-time visitors to Tha Sala District Police Station in the southern Thai province of Nakhon Si Thammarat often wonder why the small metal ball inside an old bell in front of the station is wrapped in white cloth.
The mystery was solved today (Dec 22) by a retired police officer who had worked there.
“The bell has been with the police station for 109 years. In the old days, the police rang it every one hour so the locals knew the time, or alert us when senior police officers came for a visit,” said 63-year-old Boonsong Sudtong.
“Some policemen now believe ringing the bell will bring bad luck or cause bad incidents,” he explained. “So we wrap it in white cloth, just in case.”
CAPTION:
Top: The 109-year-old bell which is believed to be unlucky. Photo: Sanook.com
By Songpol Kaopatumtip
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