FRIDAY BUG
On a wing and a prayer
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula has regularly visited Bang Khunphrom Palace during Buddhist holy days.
Some of the country's most important Buddha images and statues of spiritual leaders are on display there, including a copy of Phra Siam Devathirat. Whenever he arrived or departed from the Bank of Thailand's head office, he always paid his respects to surrounding spiritual shrines. He has consistently done this since becoming central bank governor. Even though he's now left the post, he still comes back for visits and performs exactly the same devotions. Pridiyathorn's successor, Tarisa Watanagase, has been seen expressing similar devotion. Even though she is very busy, she has never forgotten to visit Bang Khunphrom Palace, nearby the Bank of Thailand's HQ, on Buddhist holy days to pay her respects to the spiritual sanctuary. Yesterday was a Buddhist holy day. Tarisa was spotted hurrying to visit Bang Khunphrom Palace even though she had less than an hour for lunch. Spiritual connections have long been central in the beliefs of Thai people. The poor pray to become wealthier and happier. Amid the score of pressing issues surrounding her, you have to wonder what Tarisa is praying for.
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