More than a decade ago Katha Chinnabanchorn did his first tarot reading for a friend. And that initial reading seems to have put him in the big picture: Predicting the future is what he was destined to do.

"It happened while I was preparing to apply for my master's degree. During a break from study, I learned about tarot from a book and began reading the cards for a friend," Katha says about his first experience with the cards.

"My friend was surprised that I could match each card and interpret the meanings, but I didn't think I was accurate. Besides, we've been friends for years."

Interestingly, his friend insisted that Katha had read something hidden deep in his mind. That day, Katha took the set of cards home and placed it on the altar at home. Later, despite not being very interested, he was encouraged by his friend to read for other members of their group and they all agreed - he was good.

"I agreed read the cards for my friend's mother and remember that during the reading, I recited the 'Chinnabanchorn' incantation, which is believed to be very sacred among Buddhists. After the chant I felt more able to read the cards correctly," says Katha.

The accidental fortune-teller ended up developing quite a gang of followers, and soon had to set up office at the Chalina Hotel, a mid-range inn in north Bangkok. Within a month he began to gain a good reputation.

"I decided to make tarot-card reading my profession. It was embarrassing at first. I had to quit my job and give up on my master's degree," says Katha.

Opting for a new career wasn't the only change in his life. The tarot reader had to take on a new first name - Katha - which was created by his grandmother, and was given the Chinnabanchorn surname by one of his teachers. So the man who was born Kemmachart Parinyanusorn eventually became known as Katha Chinnabanchorn.

Today, Katha is one of the most famous tarot-card readers in Thailand. He has moved his office to the Chaopraya Park Hotel and is currently organising a talk show for his clients to make predictions for this year. He will also mark Chinese New Year with predictions for the Year of the Pig - after all, he too is a "pig" according to Chinese astrology.

 "The organiser is one of my clients, and I agree that this is a crucial time for our country politically and economically. People want to listen to predictions, from anyone, including fortune-tellers, and learn how to handle the situation," Katha explains.

He has decided to hold 12 shows so he can cater to people born under each of the 12 zodiac signs. There will be four shows a day from February 9 to 11, and tickets cost Bt500 per show.

He admits with a grin that he's the first fortune-teller to host a show such as this.

Besides, he says, these readings are meant to make people feel good, not add fear and anxiety to their lives.

"But I'm confident about the shows, and will utilise all the skill and knowledge I've gained over the past 14 years," he says.

People who know him believe the shows will be a success, because he loves talking.

"People come to me because they want to know about their lives in the future. If a dark cloud is likely to appear over them, they also want to know how to deal with it. This is something more important than accuracy, as people don't just turn up to hear that their future is full of desperation," explains Katha.

"I have an objective in doing this. I want to give people the willpower to live their lives to the utmost. I also want people to discover the mindful side of astrology. If you approach it in the right way, you can make sense of your life."

When asked about the reason behind his fame, Katha says it's probably because of his respect for people's privacy, and also because he tries to be articulate in the way he interprets the cards.

Katha's long list of clients, and the even longer wait for an appointment, are testament to that claim.

And the initial sceptic is now proud of his unique skill as a tarot-card reader. "Both sensible and superstitious elements are part of the reading experience. People seem satisfied with what I tell them, and they keep coming back." 

Vipasai Niyamabha

The Nation