This coup could probably never have been called on a Monday. Monday is – as we have remarked many times on New Mandala – the King’s day. This year it has been marked as the day of yellow shirts and collective public ritual.

In this same cultural scheme, the most auspicious number in the traditional Thai worldview is 9. It has connotations of progress and advancement. That the coup happened today, 19/9 is probably not coincidental.

And while Mondays are celebrated as the King’s day, Tuesdays have a very different meaning in traditional Thai worldviews. Tuesday is a strong day.

It is the best day…

…for going to war.