I came across "101 things you did not know about Thailand" on the Paknam website. Number 3 was, "You should only write the name of people in red ink, if they are dead or wish them to be dead."

How true is this? Someone said that it is more of a Chinese thing than a Thai issue. I bought a bunch of pens at a close-out sale to give away to children on an upcoming Laos trip. It turns out they are red ink pens. I am wondering if this will be a problem?

I came across "101 things you did not know about Thailand" on the Paknam website. Number 3 was, "You should only write the name of people in red ink, if they are dead or wish them to be dead."

How true is this? Someone said that it is more of a Chinese thing than a Thai issue. I bought a bunch of pens at a close-out sale to give away to children on an upcoming Laos trip. It turns out they are red ink pens. I am wondering if this will be a problem?

 

To the best of my knowledge, red ink has no connection with death or curses for most Chinese. Red is generally considered to be a most fortunate colour signifying prosperity and luck - writing your name in red ink is usually reserved for joyful occasions like weddings or birthdays or to wish someone good luck.

 

The taboo you read about might be an exclusively Thai-Chinese thing since I know that Chinese traditions, customs and beliefs do tend to change from one dialectical community to another, let alone when intermixed with the native traditions of various Southeast Asian countries though I have never heard of such a thing from any of my relatives in either Hatyai or Bangkok.

 

I hope this helps.

I hope this helps.

 

This does help. Thank-you. I guess if the kids don't like the red pens, they can throw them away.

I found an interesting article on traditional Thai weddings at: http://www.thaisingleclub.com/index.php?op...4&Itemid=31

 

At the end of the article they stated: "At a Thai wedding names are never written in red ink as this symbolises death and red ink is only ever used to write the name of the deceased next to a coffin in a temple."

Thanks for the additional info. I guess it must be an exclusively Thai tradition that I never had occasion to hear about from my relatives in Thailand. I'll keep this in mind next time I am in Thailand.

Thanks for the additional info. I guess it must be an exclusively Thai tradition that I never had occasion to hear about from my relatives in Thailand. I'll keep this in mind next time I am in Thailand.

 

Another one: If one was born on a Thursday, he/she should never carry a black wallet. This is not very fortunate.

 

I came across "101 things you did not know about Thailand" on the Paknam website. Number 3 was, "You should only write the name of people in red ink, if they are dead or wish them to be dead."

How true is this?

 

I am not superstitious and I am usually reluctant to participate with superstitious nonsense like this, but being worried about my country I decided to consult the Augeries and haruspices. As of 0830 your time the state of Pennsylvania was announced as being won by Obama. There is no way McCain can win now. It will be hours before the press announces the USA win for Obama, but it is all over but the shouting.

 

As of 0830 your time the state of Pennsylvania was announced as being won by Obama. There is no way McCain can win now. It will be hours before the press announces the USA win for Obama, but it is all over but the shouting.

 

Looks like Obama has Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Mexico, and Iowa. Not much chance for McCain now.