Red lanterns ‘not put up to dispel bad luck’
DEPUTY Prime Minister Visanu Krua-ngam today (Feb. 16) came out to explain that the festooning of the Government House with 12 red Chinese-style lanterns since yesterday was not meant to break a jinx, Thai News Agency reported.
There have been a lot of comments about cracks being found in the lotus pond in front of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s office yesterday morning, with the 12 red lanterns being put up to adorn the Government House in the afternoon.
Many Thais believe that certain kinds of incidents, such as electric short-circuit or people being hit by falling objects, are a harbinger of bad things to come.
Visanu added that the first time these lanterns appear at the Government House it might appear a bit odd but in future this won’t be so.
“I don’t have any knowledge about breaking a jinx, but putting up Chinese-style lanterns is nothing peculiar because Chinese New Year is now considered an international festival, and there are many ways to mark it, (such as) expressing the goodwill and friendship that we have with China and Thais of Chinese origin.
“In future the Government House will be decorated to mark other festivals too, such as Christmas,” he said.
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Top: One of the 12 Chinese-style lanterns at the Government House gate. Photo: Thai News Agency
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