Govt House security hunts for ‘superstitious’ suspects who lit incense
Police stationed at Government House will check surveillance camera records to identify the person or people who lit 36 incense sticks in front of the Prime Minister’s Office building last week.
The PM’s Secretariat ordered the investigation reportedly out of concern that the act could have been a “superstitious ritual” carried out by people who had ill intentions against the junta government.
Officials added that there was a rule prohibiting the lighting of incense in the area.
The incense sticks were found under flower bushes in front of the Thai Khu Fah building, the main office of Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, on Friday, the day after a lotus basin in the area was accidentally broken by a car. The breaking of an object on Chinese New Year is considered by many to be a bad omen.
Prayut subsequently ordered Chinese-style red lanterns to be hung at the building’s gates on the same day.
Government House staff and Prayut himself have said the lanterns were for decorative purposes only and not involved in any form of superstition.
Traditional Buddhist ceremonies, particularly merit-making rituals, often take place at the area on special occasions.
