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decreaseHere in the United States, and I do not think we are unique in this in western countries; we get a lot of crazy (oh excuse me, deluded) people who imagine they are some historical figure. If you go to insane asylums you can meet Jesus, Marilyn Monroe, God, Napolean (losing popular as time marches on), George Washington, Churchill, Alexander the Great, etc. Religious figures, famous political figures, and famous soldiers are very popular for the demented (oh excuse me, other realitied).
One wonders if it is the same in Thailand. For example: General Taksin (1767-1782) imagined himself a living incarnation of the Buddha (go big). Before he was removed from office he was flogging monks, torturing family members, and trying to fly. Not that unusual in the West, but one wonders how normal this kind of nutter paranoia and delusion of grandeur are amongst crazy Thais.
In other words, if you go to Thai insane asylums are you going to meet Buddha, King Ramkamheng, the very first Issan bar girl, a giant Mekhong river carp, King Mongkut (1851-1868), a loony who thinks he is a teak log dragging elephant, the first little girl to have her picture taken at the Floating Market, and Dana (hey, wait a minute--I'm not dead yet)?
This is not an idea I have time to follow up on. If someone wants to take an interest and do the research there should be at least fifteen thousand words here. But remember, you have to interview crazy (excuse me, other-opinioned) Thai people. Real nutballs. Wackos. Loonies. Droolers and foamers and spitters. Some are going to throw fecal matter at you. Others are compulsive bleeding eyebrow pluckers. Some will try to press their thumbs against your eyeballs (and don't forget--you have no civil rights). You will have to fight them off. It's not easy being a writer, and having a mission, and believing in knowledge for knowledge's sake. Good luck.
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