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It didn't work too well for the Thaksin and Abhisit governments, but Government House is undergoing a feng shui adjustment.

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Construction workers clear the ground at Government House to relocate a shrine as part of landscaping work. CHANAT KATANYU

Feng shui at Govt House ‘out of kilter’

POST REPORTERS

Government House may adjust its feng shui by moving a spirit house to a new corner and pointing cannons away from the main building.

The spirit house is situated close to a fence, making it particularly vulnerable if there is a violent rally outside Government House.

The spirit house is also close to a large electricity switchboard, which poses a safety risk for worshippers, a government source said.

It is expected to be relocated by next Saturday.

The cannons need to be turned to a different direction because it is not good feng shui to have the weapons pointing at the main building.

Feng shui adjustment is normally done when a new government takes office in the belief that good feng shui will shield the government from bad luck, but is not always the case that feng shui works as its adherents hope.

The Thaksin Shinawatra government, for instance, underwent a major feng shui adjustment before being overthrown by the 2006 coup, while the Abhisit Vejjajiva administration could not complete its four-year term despite having altered its feng shui.

relocate – to move something to a new place ย้ายที่ใหม่
shrine – a place for worship which is holy because of a connection with a holy person or object สถานที่บูชา
landscape – to change the appearance of an area of land, especially next to a building or road ทำให้ทิวทัศน์ดีขึ้น
feng shui – an ancient Chinese belief that the way your house/place of work, etc. is built and the way that you arrange objects affects your success, health, and happiness ฮวงจุ้ย
out of kilter – no longer continuing or working in the normal way ไม่ทำงาน
adjust – to change something slightly, especially to make it more correct, effective, or suitable ปรับ
corner – a part of something where two or more sides, lines or edges join มุม
cannon – an old type of large heavy gun, usually on wheels, that fires solid metal or stone balls ปืนใหญ่
situated – located ตั้งอยู่ที่
fence – a structure made of wood or wire supported with posts that is put between two areas of land as a boundary, or around a garden/yard, field, etc. to keep animals in, or to keep people and animals out รั้ว
particularly – especially, or more than usual โดยเฉพาะ
vulnerable – easily damaged or harmed ซึ่งถูกทำลายได้ง่าย
violent – involving the use of physical force, with the intention of causing damage to property or injury or death to people รุนแรง
rally – a large public gathering of people to support someone or to protest against something การชุมนุม
switchboard – the central part of a telephone system used by a company, etc, where telephone calls are answered and put through to the appropriate person or department  แผงสายโทรศัพท์,  แผงไฟฟ้า
pose a risk – to be a possible danger กระทำการซึ่งอาจก่อให้เกิดอันตรายต่อ
worshipper – someone who is showing love and respect for God, especially during a religious ceremony or prayer ผู้นับถือ,ผู้สักการะบูชา, ผู้สวดมนตร์
source – someone who gives information แหล่งข่าว
weapon – an object such as a knife, gun, bomb, etc. that is used for fighting or attacking somebody อาวุธ
take office – to begin to hold a position of power เริ่มปฏิบัติหน้าที่ที่ได้รับมอบหมาย
shield – to protect something ป้องกัน
adherent – a supporter of a set of ideas, an organization, or a person ผู้ยึดมั่น, ผู้สนับสนุน
overthrow – to force a leader or government out of power ขับไล่ออกจากอำนาจ
coup (d’etat) – the seizure of power in a country by a group of people, usually members of the armed forces รัฐประหาร
term – a period of time a politician, government or other official holds their job ช่วงเวลาการดำรงตำแหน่งหรืออำนาจ
alter – to change เปลี่ยนแปลง

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