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You might have heard of people changing their names because they didn’t like the ones their parents gave them. Or in an attempt to change their identity and escape their past. But in Thailand, name changes are common for a different reason altogether – to bring good luck.
A case-in-point is 46-year-old Baramee Thammabandan, formerly known as Teerapol Lilitjirawat. While neither name strikes us as charismatic, the change has made a world of difference to Mr. Baramee. About 10 years ago, he had suffered a major misfortune, when his garments business had failed. His eyesight became poor, he couldn’t manage his affairs and to make matters worse, his wife left him. And so he did what is natural to the people of Thailand – he changed his name. “I wanted to become a new person,” the now clean shaven and slim Baramee says. Ironically, his new name does mean ‘charisma’.
In his case, the name change worked wonders in more ways than one. Not only did it change his fortunes, but it provided him with a means of livelihood. Today, the almost blind Mr. Baramee runs a thriving business, helping people change their names. The service he provides involves advising his fellow Thais on how best to choose a new name for themselves. His clients range from regular people to Thai business tycoons and celebrities. He runs his office in one of the busiest shopping malls in Bangkok, with a team that takes almost 250 inquiry calls a day. It took Mr. Baramee only 5 years to create four websites and double his business, creating a niche that competitors have now jumped into. His philosophy is that changing names should be a process as simple as changing a flat tire. “People are like cars,” he says, “and changing names is like changing a flat tire. It can take you further and give you a smoother ride.” For now, he charges 500 baht (about $17) to provide several alternative name suggestions.
While there are places in the world where changing one’s name might seem a little extreme, it is something that comes naturally and easily to the people of Thailand. In fact, even parents exercise extreme caution while choosing names for their children. Astrologers and fortune tellers are consulted to make sure that the names they choose are suitable and complement the date/time of birth. Even so, if their names aren’t working when they grow up, there is no hesitation in changing it to something better. Given the fact that Thailand has a fast growing economy, stiff competition between businesses calls for drastic measures. According to 34-year-old Suchada Jarernsritrakul, who changed her name a couple of years ago, “Thailand is changing very quickly and it is natural to look for ways to help you prosper.”
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