Reference: Hindus seek peace, Bangkok Post, November 24, 2008

It is reported that a two-year ritual is to be held in India involving thousands of priests chanting ancient religious verses and lighting a ceremonial fire in order to keep the world from going into economic recession (Hindus seek peace, Bangkok Post, November 24, 2008). At a time of relative weakness and vulnerability of the Western economic system it may seem that the time has arrived for Asia to take the lead as global economic powers. Yet, deep down in the foundation of Asian societies we find goofiness and superstition that are so profoundly congealed in the Asian psyche that the Western economic powers need not fear real changes in the global economic hierarchy any time soon. 

Cha-am Jamal

Thailand