TWO nights a week, Mrs Karnjana Tangjittiangtrong fills the boot of her car with food, flowers and joss sticks and goes to pay tribute to her favourite business consultant, who died 83 years ago.
At a brightly-lit square in central Bangkok she joins thousands of other worshippers in an extraordinary homage to the late King Chulalongkorn, Thailand's most revered former ruler, blending superstition and religion with good plain business sense.
''It makes me feel good inside and I am more confident now about handling money. He is an important part of my life,'' said Mrs Karnjana, who began taking part in the ritual three months ago.
Rumours of the king's apparent powers beyond the grave began to emerge late last year, when devotees told of sudden reversals in their business fortunes after visits to his shrine in Royal Plaza, a sweeping square dominated by a statue of Chulalongkorn riding a prancing horse.
As word spread, crowds formed at the statue every Tuesday night around the time of his birth. Later, Thursday - the Buddhist day of knowledge and wisdom - was also added.
On these two days, say worshippers, King Chulalongkorn descends to earth and attends to the grievances of his subjects, as he would have done during his own lifetime.
