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J- verything looks great, The

racirlonnar r n r r l i r r a ,,-t
it or are
planningto buy, build or rent
has everythingthat makes it
'yutrt
t"leam hDme. )h aociitron.'if's rn.
a convenient location to work, good
s c h o o l sa n d s h o p p i n g .T i m e t o s i t b a c k
and relaxlNot quite yet.There,sone more
thing to check, something that many in
T h a i l a n dw o u l dc o n s i d e rt h e f i r s t ,n o t t h e
tastto cross off their checklist.Haveyou
consideredyour home,sfeng shui?
F e n g s h u i ( l i t e r a l l ym e a n i n g w i n d
water) derives from an ancient Chinese
philosophyofnature,a form of geomancy
that divines understanding about
the world from geographic features.
Its main concern is to identify and
understand the relationships between
nature and humans so that both coexist
harmoniously.
Thispracticeis basedon the sensible
notlon that it is better to cooperate with
nature than defy it. As in architecture,it
also operatesunder the assumptionthat
our environsdeeply influenceand affect
o u r p h y s i c a la n d e m o t i o n a l w e l l _ b e i n s .
lf you surround yourself with negativ*e
condrtions and live with indifference
toward nature,that negativitywill define
your life.But if you surroundyourselfwith
beauty and harmony, you nurture and
ennoble yourself and the environment.
Fengshui emergedfrom the ancient Top
mists of China during the West Han To get the feng
dynasty around the third century BC. In shuiright,building
common practice in Thailand,all strata designsshouldtake
rntoconsideration
of society use feng shui to incorporate the flow of
chi
h a r m o n yi n t ot h e i rl i v i n g a n dw o r k s p a c e s . energy
In the home, people pay attention to Opposite
whereand how they placedoors,mirrors, Ratchaprasong
lighting,furniture and decoration. In the intersection:
a
place for municipal
businessworld,companies use fenq shui conflict
*t --?

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 when designing office space. They also
consult other practices,such as astrology
and ngow heng (face reading) when
consideringprospectiveemployees.
In earlier times throughout Asia,
feng shui exerted great, sometimes
extreme influence, especially in the
land of its birth. So strong was its sway
that colonials felt feng shui threatened
to stop the modernisation of China.
"When purchasinga site, when building
a house, when pulling down a wal, or
raisinga flagstaff residents in the Treaty
Ports have encountered innumeraore
difficulties and all on account of feng
shui," wrote Englishmissionary EJ Eitel
in 1873. Eitel also wrote of a Macau
governor who was beheaded by angry
localswhen a road he built damagedthe
neighbourhood'sfeng shui.
tgnoring these conditions still
engenders huge controversy.Completed
in 1990, the lM pei-designed Bank of
China Tower in Hong Kong is said to
both radiate and self-inflict bad feng
shui. The structure, nicknamed the
Fengshuiexiststo helpyoufit
intoan cnvircnrnent,
nct the
ctherwayarcund
., /-\
CleaverBuilding,continuesto cause
consternation amongmany HongKong
residentsand corporationswho claim
its sharp angles induce disease and
economicmisfortunein the area.
I
Bangkokhas its own legendary tale
of municipalfeng shui conflict at the
intersectionof Rajdamriand ploenchit
Roads, home of the shrine of the
Brahmingod Erawan.So reveredand
fearedis the powerfrom thisgeomantic
hot spot that when the former World
TradeCentrewas built diagonally from
the shrine,its developerinstalledan
auspicious Hindudeity and a pyramid
of mirrorsto counteractany negative
influencefrom Erawan.More recentlv,
the CentralGroup bought the World
Trade Centre,transformingit into the
CentralWorldshoppingcomplex.Upon
reassessingthe intersection'sfeng
shui,the new ownersmovedthe Hindu
deity to a site near petchaburiRoad,
The Power of replacingit with a fountainto cool off
Water
the powerfulchi,or energy, comingfrom
Bringing the
elementof waterto acrossthe street.
the homecan have In contemporaryThailand,people
a positivefengshui who employ feng shui in their homes
effect,be it in form probably believe to varying degrees
of a pond (below),
pool (opposite
that its metaphysicalpower brings
top) or fountain health,wealth,happinessand harmonv
(oppositebottom) if followed,or malaise,struggle,
woeand
chaosif ignored. Othersmayincorporate
rts precepts into their homes simply
because of the philosophy,soverall
elements of pleasing,commonsense
design.
Whateverone's level of belief in
its benefits,fengshui requiresthe user
to reflect mindfullyon his or her living
space to achievemaximum harmonv
and minimumdissonance with nature.
Soundseasy,right?Just read a couple
of how-tofeng shui books,buy a 1o-pon
(fengshui compass),a ba-gua (t-Ching
octagonalmap), move some furniture
around,placea few charms,bellsand
plants in strategicplacesand breathe
deeply.
That is one way to do it, but be
mindful that you don't adopt a quick
and easy mentality - a McFengshui
mindsetthat somepractitioners lament
is happeningas the practice gains
runawayglobal popularity.Superficial
fixesare preciselywhatthe techniqueis
not about.The objectiveof meaningful
fengshuiis to playby the planet,srules,
not simplyto arrangethe environment
for yourpersonal gain.Fengshuiexiststo
helpyou fit intoan environment, not the
other way around.That is how it keeos
you safe,healthyand prosperous.
t5
 OR DIY?
N4ASTER
--:'e
are two schools of thought
; = ? ' d i n gw h e t h e r o n e n e e d s t o h a v e a
-=-; shui master. In her book, Essential
:=-3 Shui, Lillian Too saYs, "Do not
:: :',rethose who would have You think
,-=: feng shui is something spiritual,
=--'ing psychic or intuitivepowers."
- - -he other hand, some experts say
- - : : : f f u l l ya c h i e v el a s t i n gh a r m o n ya n d
:: '-ce and avoid mistakes,You might
irr-: :o consult an experiencedstn soe,
:' -aster. Although the broad concept
: i ' : ^ g s h u i i s e a s y t o u n d e r s t a n da n d
; : : , t h i s l i n e o f s c h o o l b e l i e v e st h a t
.-E :cre knowledgeand developingthe
"::-site intuitiontake years of study
: -aster. Just like traditional Chinese
*e: crne,feng shui knowledgeis subtle
, -: :CmPleX.
lre of the most resPectedand in-
:+* =rd sinsaeinThailandisPhongsadayu
,i;/--cng. with a long list of clients that
- ---=? celebrities, business leaders
,,- r :orporations, he has consulted on
- - : --nds of construction Projects,
---es and renovations.He is the in-
' - -==fengshuiconsultantforthepopular
:r--::-uction firm MasterPlan101and the
-,iil, :evelopment, TalalongVillage.
t')*8
Phongsadayu's lifelong Passlon
for feng shui led him to become the
youngest master selected to practise at
the Montien Hotel's famed astrologer's
corner. He consults for such magazines
as House and Garden and has made
numerous speaking engagements and
television appearances. "The person
seekinga sin sae should have a general
understandingof feng shui in order to
make an informed selection,"the master
advises."Sincethe tools and texts this art
uses are in Chinese,a feng shui master
should be fluent in the written language,"
he adds.
Beforelettingsomeoneyou hope will
be a trusted counsellor into your home
and your psyche,you shouldget referrals
and references.When you interviewthe
c a n d i d a t ea s k a b o u t h i s o r h e r t r a i n i n g
and experience.Most people find their
feng shui masters by word of mouth so
visit the referringperson'shome and see
if vou likethe way it looks and feels.
Picking out a master that has the
requisite experience and knowledge
can turn out to be a challenge.There are
charlatans out there - the McFengshui
opportunists who play to your fears
and suoerstitions,but have absolutely
3*:
Y I *

Above no interest in helping you create a
Rememberto wholesome integrationbetween you,
chooseyourfeng
your home and the environment. They
shuiconsultant
wisely are afterone thingonly:yourmonev.
Since the practice rs all about
creatrngharmony,don't rush into a
relationshipthat creates the exact
opposite.A talentedand sincerefeng
shuimasterwillwelcomeyour informed
deliberation.Your intelligentquestions
will show the candidatethat Vou are
a client worthv of his or her time and
experience.lf the candidate chafes
at your polite queries,you ignorethis
red flag at your personalfinancialand
emotionalperil.
Okay.You've adopted the proper
mindsetof patienceand sincerity.you
understand thatfengshui isnotaboutyou
andyourdesires, but howyouwillprosper
whenyou humblyintegrateyourselfand
yourhomeintothe naturalenvironment.
You'vealso decidedwhethervou want
to do it yourselfor retaina sin sae.Now
you'rereadyto makethe changesthat
allowthe techniqueto bringharmonyto
vour life.
FengShui attemptsto understand
- r-\
/'l ]
how the design of buildings, interiors
and landscapingaffect the flow of chi
energy.lt helps you to tap into the chi in
the environment and use it to achieve
harmony, which then clears obstacles
to your goals.Integralto feng shui is the
concept of yin and yang. These twin
forces describe the two interactiveforces
of nature, which must be in balance to
achieveharmony.Fengshui allowsyou to
balance the yin and yang in each room
of your home. For example,if a room is
too dark and cold, it has too much yin chi
and can make one depressed or ill. lf a
room is too bright and warm, it has too
much yangchi and can sap one,senergy,
resultingin sickness.
This might seem arcane to some,
but it's reallya matter of common sense.
ls your livingarea clean, free of clutter,
pleasantlylitand peaceful?phongsadayu
emphasises that these are the basic
requirementsto allow chi to circulate.
WHERETO START?
The do-it-yourselfschooland the hire-
a-masterschool both agree that the
bedroomand kitchenare of paramount
rmportanceand good placesto start.
Sincethe bedroomiswherewe recharge
our batteriesat night to fight another
day and where romance reigns,it is
important that its design replenishes
ratherthan sapsour energy.In addition,
Phongsadayu pointsout the importance
of makingthe bedroomconduciveto the
needsof the breadwinner
asthat oerson
bearsthe mostresponsibilityfor keeping
the homerunning.
The experts advise that this
sanctuaryshould be free from clutter.
That means don't put your exercise
equipmentin thereand don't storejunk
underyourbed.Youshouldalsoleavethe
homeentertainment systemin the Iiving
room.Allthoseobstaclesandelectronic
equipmentdisruptthe flow of chi.
To promotea feelingof securityand
stability,sleepwith your head pointing
to an interiorwall,not an outsideone
with a window.Likewise, the bed should
not face a door,whichis likenedto the
deathpositioninwhichthe deceasedare
carriedout of the room.The bed should
not abuta wall,but shouldbe accessible
from both sidesto allowthe free flow
of chi aroundit. Peaceand tranquillity
shouldrulethe bedroomso usegentle,
low-intensity lighting and relaxing,
soothingcolours.These elementsnot
onlyrelaxyou, butalsoenhanceromance.
It'sbestto havea dimmerswitchso that
you can adjustthe lightto the specific
 needsof the momenr. lf it's not praci:rcalto move the stove or a
An uncluttered and organised door, placea mirror over the stove so the
bedroom symbolises progress. Get person cookingcan see anyoneentering
rid of things that you don't use and the kitchen. The stove area should be
get your drawersand closetsin order. well lit and ventilated.
Obstructionsat the bedroomentrance The best colour for the kitchen is
are unsafeand block chi. Don't leave white. This signifies purity, promotes
shoeslyingaroundand makesure anv good health and pure food. Cutlerv
electricalwiresareout of the wavso that and other sharp objects have negative,
no one tflps overthem. health-sappingenergy so put them in
Sleepingunder an exposedbeam orawers closest to a door or a window.
Below
After the bedroom, symbolisesoppressionso reposition Avoid having a toilet near the kitchen.
the nextimportant the bed if possible.lf it must be undera lf there is a bathroom nearby,keep the
room to get the beam,thereareseveralfixes thatyoucan door closed and the toilet lid down.
fengshuirightis the find in fengshui booksor by consulting The other essential parts of the
kitchen yourstnsae.
Bottom house that need feng shui consultation
Yourgarden,too, Choose artwork and decoration are entranceways, the bathroom, the
ronr rirac rsraft tl for your bedroomwith care;they hold dining room, the lounge or living room,
attention powerfulfengshuienergy. yourbedroom stairwaysand the garden.
art shouldpromotewhatyouwantto see
happeningin your life. Don't have sad FENGSHUI FROMTHE
and lonelyimagesif you don't want to GROUNDUP
be sad and lonely.Likewise, don't have For those who have the resources
photographs of yourfamilyandfriendsin and time, the best solutionto creating
your bedroomunlessVouwantthem to good feng shui in the home is to build
havea front rowseatto yourlovelife. a houseand groundsfrom scratchand
Experts advise that after the incorporateall its essentialelements.
bedroom,the nextmostimportantroom Havinga fengshuisinsaesurveythe plot
in the houseisthe kitchen.phongsadayu andworkwiththearchitects ensures your
stressesthe importanceof the sink,s home'sharmonious relationshipwiththe
placement, whichsignifies water,andthe environment - untilthat condominium
stove's,whichsignifies fire.Tryto design tower goesup next door.Buildingfrom
your kitchen so that these oooosed scratchalso allowsthe homeownerto
elementsarenot nextto eachother.The havefengshuielementscustomisedto
stove'spositionshouldallowVouto see each personwho will live there. From
anyoneenteringthe kitchen. Additionallv, breadwinnerto baby,all will enjoy the
yourbackshouldnot beto the doorwhile best chi.
you are cooking.The common sense Architectsandfengshuiconsultants
safetypurposeof thisruleisself-evident. work hand in hand during the design
phase to ensure that the house and
garden maximise the positive and
minimise the negative geography
of the buildingsite. tf a plot of land
has negativeelements,they can be
corrected immediatelV rather than
havingto do expensivereconstructtve
work later.These companiesalso do
feng shui-oriented renovations. Indeed,
Phongsadayusays that renovations
comprisethebulkof hisprojects. Headds
that practicallyall feng shui problems
can be solvedwiththe properanalysis.
Whetheryou chooseto do it yourself
or consulta sinsae,rememberto keepin
mindthecommonsensepurposeof feng
shui:to createa calm,peaceful, pleasant
atmospherefrom whichgoodthingswill
flow.Don'tget overwhelmed by tryingto
fix everythingat once. Remembertoo,
your goal is peace and harmony.The
processshouldn'tbe anothercauseof
stressin your life.Okay,nowyou can sit
backand relax.

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