Forget Nostradamus. If you want the latest predictions about the future, check out a Thai astrologer by the name of Sorajja Nual-yu.

In his January 16 column in Sakulthai, a conservative women's magazine, Sorajja predicted an "upheaval" of "grave concern" in the United States in the month of September, and markets crashing "like a person suffering from diarrhoea".

He also listed his prophecies for gloomy global events affecting Thailand for each month of this year.

Here are his apocalyptic predictions for this tragic month, which Americans will never forget, after the terrorist strikes on New York and Washington DC:

"Natural disasters still pose a threat to the North, the Northeast and the South. Flooding will become even more damaging than the year 1995. It will start from the North before hitting Bangkok. Bangkok will suffer its severest flood since its founding. Health problems will affect the important people of the country. Several important people might lose their lives. The leader of the United States might be a target of assassination. The situation in the United States will be of grave concern. There will be an upheaval. The Philippines and Vietnam will be hit by two rounds of typhoons. The countries will be severely damaged. This month, stock prices will collapse like a person suffering from diarrhoea."

Reading further, the predictions are even gloomier for Thailand and the world.

The situation for October appears no better, according to Sorajja: "Natural disasters continue to strike the North, the Northeast and the South. The South will be particularly hard hit. It may be the most disastrous period in Thai history. Homes and buildings and people living close to the shore will be swept into the sea.

"This is the most tragic month for Thailand. The tears of the people will turn into blood, for the star will travel into a crisis corner. There will be rumours to worsen the situation. Bad news will further startle the Thai people, who cannot rely on their emotions. If they use emotions, things will get worse. Only through dialogue will the situation improve.

"The economy will be in a slump. The stock market will fall in an abyss. Some indebted persons will resort to suicide. Inflation will rise. Money will be of no value.

"Workers in big companies and civil servants will lose their jobs due to the economic depression.

The water level will continue to rise. Bangkok will be suffering so badly."

In November: "The country will go through a major reform. Academics will play a greater role in conducting the country's affairs. The star of the country will continue to backtrack to the point of no return. The country will face an economic recession. The stock market will collapse. Banks will face a crisis. Some will be forced to close down. Hardship will spread. Morality will be in decline. Fake monks and con men will rise, hurting the country's reputation.

"The problem in the Middle East, which is hoped to return to peace, will arrive at a delicate juncture. A drop of honey will turn nations against each other with their weapons.

In December, "Managing the country's affairs will run into a snag. It will be tough. The government will be muddling along. The economy will be in recession. The stock market will suffer from diarrhoea.

"In the Pacific Ocean, there might be a disastrous event. This month, the wind element will form a triangle with its peak pointing down to the Pacific Ocean. Worldwide there will be a shortage of energy and oil. The world will be shattered, potentially triggering a nuclear war."

• Story originally published by:
The Nation, Bangkok / Thailand | Thanong Khanthong - Sep 27.01

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