Thai Fortuneteller Uses Chess to Predict the Future

Sawatdee, krup!  Thanks for clicking by. Great to see you. (Nice to feel wanted, isn't it?) How're things going for you so far today? Let me ask you...have you ever visited a fortuneteller? Before you answer that, help yourself to a marvellously refreshing mug of java and a scrumptilious virtual treat. Now then, look into my crystal ball and...

If you’re eager to know when you’re going to get that much-awaited promotion or if you will ever meet the love of your life, move your pawn to C3 and let Amunnata Lamwanna  (Ajarn Nong, by her prophetic name) predict the outcome of the chess game that is your life. That’s right, Ajarn Nong, a fortuneteller from Thailand, uses chess to predict the future.

After a failed marriage, giving birth to a premature child and being homeless for a while, Amunnata Lamwanna got a job in public relations, working for a famous fortuneteller who thought it would be wise of her to pursue the same career. After studying everything under the stars, she finally became a fortuneteller herself and adopted her current name, Ajarn Nong. (Ajarn is Thai for teacher).

The idea of chess prediction came to her when she saw people playing chess in the park. She soon began developing a new method of telling the future that involved the popular strategy board game. “I invented a way of fortunetelling using a chessboard set up to show the position of the stars in Thai-style astrology, as well as cards and feng shui, in which each star indicates your horoscope. The method was completed in 2010, and the first person I used it on was my husband,” she explains. (That would be her ex-husband, eh!)

Thais are ga-ga over fortunetelling. These 'Mor Doo' walk along the streets or the beach or set up their blanket (usually a rattan mat) anywhere they can find a spot and invite folks to have their fortune told. Nong, which means either young lady or young sister, and can be used when trying to get the attention of any younger person...such as a young sales person, either male or female...and is also a common nickname (as in my wife's nickname).  I keep telling (my) Nong that I am a fortune teller. I predict that tomorrow will be mainly Friday! She is not impressed with my fortunetelling talents... otherwise, she claims, I would have already picked the winning 6/49 lotto numbers and we'd be living in a huge condo somewhere. Ah well...these things take time...and the stars have to be in the right configuration. I'm working on it, hon!

See ya, eh!

Bob