upcoming Thai election

Thailand is set to go to the polls April 2. The trouble is the opposition parties are not contesting the election because of their distrust of PM Thaksin and the TRT. Read more about the protests here. In all likelihood, the election will go ahead as planned but the results will probably be ignored by half the country. This sets up a dangerous situation where the sitting government is regarded as illegitimate by the opposition and most urban voters. TRT gets its support from mostly rural areas which happen to form a majority in this still developing country.

As this blog (and my website) has been contending for some time, Thailand is in the throes of a political battle the scale of which hasn't been seen in years. The Saturn station on the Moon squaring the Sun is the basis of the whole thing. This is a devastating aspect that can create hardship for both leaders (Sun) and the people (Moon). Whatever happens, Thailand's political culture will be fractured for a long time to come. In keeping with my previous predictions, I believe Thaksin's administration will not survive these protests.

Another angle on it can be seen in the eclipse of March 29th. The eclipse point itself at 14 Pisces conjoins the fallen Mercury in the 12th house and activates the Neptune in Thailand's chart. This emphasizes the role of distortion and deception in communications in the time ahead. This seems especially likely given Thaksin's reputation for shady financial dealings and authoritarian control over the media. Look for even more disturbing revelations about Thaksin to emerge in the coming days and weeks. Another troubling element of the eclipse chart is that Mars at 28 Taurus is being picked up by both eclipse angles, underlining the conflict that is underway at the moment. Given the instability of the situation, it is probable that this political conflict will spill over into the streets at some point and become violent. So far this hasn't happened, but this eclipse chart is an alert to this very real possibility.

I am looking at April 9th as a day of significant setback for the government as Sun conjoins natal Rahu in the 12th house and Venus forms a semisquare aspect to Rahu. Perhaps there will be judiicial or royal intervention of some kind then that will worsen Thaksin's position. April 18th is another day to watch out for as Mars conjoins Uranus and opposes the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction. If there will be violence in this political stand-off, this is the most likely time.

Gold price tops $560

The price of gold once again passed $560 this week. Although it fell back $5 Tuesday, the previous two trading days had yielded a nice $15 rise. The Mercury station was a key player here since it came to a full stop exactly conjoined with natal Jupiter in the Gold options chart. With Uranus there for extra oomph and Venus applying to the ascendant, this chart showed substantial gains.

As Venus comes closer to the 4 Aquarius ascendant (Lahiri), we should see more upward price movement. If this 10.00 am chart is correct, then the best days should be next Monday and Tuesday, the 3rd and 4th of April. This will be an important verification of the 10.00 am chart. If there is no significant rise at that time, then we would have to reconsider the 9.45 am chart once again.

Another probably price rise -- irrespective of chart times and ascendants -- will be in the days leading up to and including April 18, when Venus conjoins Jupiter in the presence of Uranus.

Thailand's troubles

Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin faces growing opposition to his corruption-plagued rule as protests to his government continue. Events are moving faster now that opposition political parties have refused to participate in an election Thaksin called two weeks ago. Although a majority of urban dwellers don't support him, Thaksin is still strong in the countryside, where poorer, less educated farmers have benefited from his populist policies and blatant vote-buying efforts. And given Thailand's predominantly rural population, it is very likely that Thaksin would win the April election. So the opposition boycott based on political calculation as well: since it cannot win the April vote, it is best to prevent it from taking place.

This growing breakdown in the political process is following the astrological script as Saturn bears down on Thailand's Moon. Watch for intensifying strife in the weeks ahead ending with Thaksin's ouster. In all likelihood, this will not be a peaceful transfer of power.