In this experimental ethnography, Alan Klima examines moneylending, gambling, funeral casinos, and the consultations of spirits and mediums to predict winning lottery numbers to illustrate the relationship between contemporary Thai spiritual and financial practices and global capitalism's abstraction of monetary value.
Meditation, Massacre, and Exchange with the Dead in Thailand
Focusing on Thailand's pro-democracy movement, the narrative explores the intersection of mass-mediated violence and cultural practices. Alan Klima presents a unique ethnographic approach by examining funeral gambling and the Buddhist contemplation of death, providing insights into how these elements reflect societal responses to trauma and conflict. The book challenges conventional understandings of violence, emphasizing the significance of rituals and beliefs in shaping collective memory and identity in a global context.