Feng Shui in Thai society : Bangkok (1988-1996)

Abstract

The objective of this thesis is to investigate the phenomenon of the increased propagation and the influence of Feng Shui in Bangkok during the Boom Years. The methodology utilized for the research consists of interviews and periodicals with an emphasis on the utilization of Feng Shui during the era of the economic Boom Years and the receding years in Bangkok. ‘Memetics' is a new theory, which proposes that there are' memes ', which are basic cultural units, comparable to the genes in that they are self-replicating. These memes could then explain cultural phenomena. This theory will be the major theory used in the thesis. The findings of this study reveal that the use of Feng Shui in Bangkok has tremendously changed from its traditional role in Thailand to a more materialistic and psychological roles during and after the Boom Years. In other words, the Feng Shui meme, which before the economic boom had lied dormant, spread vigorously during the Boom Years and after. A reason is that the frenzy of the Boom Years made the population more susceptible to the Feng Shui meme, and that the population found it an easy way to get what they want. The thesis helps us understand more about the culture of contemporary Thai society, which seems to be both traditional and modern at the same time. The findings of this study reveal that the use of Feng Shui in Bangkok has tremendously changed from its traditional role in Thailand to a more materialistic and psychological roles during and after the Boom Years. In other words, the Feng Shui meme, which before the economic boom had lied dormant, spread vigorously during the Boom Years and after. A reason is that the frenzy of the Boom Years made the population more susceptible to the Feng Shui meme, and that the population found it an easy way to get what they want. The thesis helps us understand more about the culture of contemporary Thai society, which seems to be both traditional and modern at the same time.