They said the incident signalled that all political parties should urgently try to negotiate a solution or else tragedies would befall the country. They also called for the renovation of the sacred statue at an auspicious time, which could help improve the country's overall situation.

People were shocked and upset to learn that a mentally ill man hammered the Brahma statue to pieces early yesterday - and was then beaten to death. The shrine, next to the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, is known around the world.

"The incident portends that something bad will happen. If the upcoming general election goes ahead, bad things will happen," said Surattaphong Suwannarat, from the Astrological Association of Thailand (AAT).

He called on relevant parties to prioritise national interests and begin talks as soon as possible. "Negotiations could ease the situation," he said.

Surattaphong said the destruction of the sacred statue had demoralised a large number of "faithful" people and it was necessary to boost their morale by urgently repairing it at an auspicious time.

Pinyo Pongcharoen, another famous astrologer, said the sacred being had issued a warning to all parties that they must negotiate.

"The Brahma has four faces and now there are apparently four sides in the country: the government, the opposition parties, People's Alliance for Democracy and poor-people demonstrators," Pinyo said. He said if these four groups of people turned to each other, the country would be at peace again.

AAT vice chairman Wiwat Jareogsiri said the destruction of the Brahma statue was connected with the country's horoscope, which was currently not good.

"When the country's horoscope is not good, this affects many things. Now that the sacred Brahma statue is destroyed, the country's economy may suffer," he said.

Wiwat also recommended renovation of the sacred statue at an auspicious time, which would help ensure that everything would be fine. Asked about the ongoing political conflicts, he declined to judge who was good or bad.

"But after the middle of next month, things should improve," he predicted.

Another astrologer, Samrit Klomkliang, said destruction of such a sacred statue was a bad omen for the country and it was very ominous given the fact the destroyer was mentally ill and he was lynched to death.

"This is blood sacrifice," he said. Samrit interpreted the incident as a sign that caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra should step down from power or else bloodshed would occur.

"This ominous incident happened during political turmoil. Things that have never happened did happen during the incumbent administration," he said.

However, AAT chairman Thanakorn Sinkasem said the destruction of the Brahma statue was not a bad omen for the country. He explained that the country's horoscope in the religious aspect was not good at the moment.

"If you notice, you will see that many monks have come out to join protests this year," he said.

Thanakorn said Thailand's birthday was on April 21, 1782 and prediction had it that the country would fall into difficulties when it turned 224 years old.  He said the situation would improve after the country's upcoming birthday.

Budsarakham Sinlapalavan

The Nation