Beeping for protection
There’s an enormous hill that must be death-defyingly traversed in order to get from Kathu to Patong. The hill is the site of accidents daily. Just yesterday a bus lost control and plowed its way through a number of motorcycles. I once drove over the hill and counted half-a-dozen separate accidents.
Anyway, at the top of the hill, drivers beep their horns in unison. As it’s the done thing, I always beep my horn too. At first I assumed it was some sort of safety thing, although it never did make complete sense. Are we beeping to warn people on the other side of the hill that we are coming? Are we signaling to breakdowns that we’re heading over the crest?
After six months of wondering, I decided to ask someone what the deal is. It turns out that people actually beep their horns so that the spirits of Patong Hill will watch over them and guide them safely down the other side. The person I quizzed was unsure exactly which spirits she was summoning to protect her car, but she was confident that they were there.
This incident is just one of many that highlight that there is often more to things than we give credit for. On a similar note, I met up with Andrew Spooner yesterday. He’s the guy behind the “With so many Britons murdered in Thailand, why does our Government not warn of the dangers faced there?” article. Contrary to opinion that he is some sort of insane, anti-Thailand lunatic, he actually turned out to be a decent chap who unfairly caught a bad rap from a few of us.
What the meeting yesterday showed me is that living in Thailand doesn’t have to a blot on the career of those who choose to stay here. There are real journalists and writers out here and there is a world of opportunity in Thailand if you approach things the right way. I’m still considering my next move, but at least I have a few more ideas than I did before.
March 10th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
You managed to sneak two stories in one post. Cleaver sod!
People are very superstitious here, but if you think of beeping a horn as a signal to warn people on the other side of the hill that you are going towards them, it definitely makes sense.
How could you go on a date without me? I am sorry to be nosy, but what kind of meeting was it anyway? Was it an enjoyable session? I am rather surpised to know that you can go both ways! how lucky you are!
You could work for the British press while still living in Thailand. You could be like a teleworker. Can’t you do that? But if you run out ideas about where to live, don’t worry too much, I am quite sure that there will be some people who want to adopt you!
March 15th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
[...] At the end of the beach road, the Siamerican had to turn eastward to head towards Katu and Phuket town. Right outside Patong town is a massive hill, perhaps the most dangerous of all in Phuket. The Siamerican recalled a blog post by the Lost boy talking about honking for spirits at the top of the hill. [...]
March 15th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
I thought about your post today when driving back from Patong. I’ve been on the road several times, but never noticed the honking before. Sure enough, at the top of the hill, I noticed a spirit house on the South side of the road, and heard a bunch of cars honking as they passed. So I followed, and sure enough the spirits saw me safely back home! cheers
March 15th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
not only is there beeping, but, if you are lucky u can catch a movie. the projector is under the sala on the north side of the road. the movies are played for the spirits.