A deaf-mute Myanmar fortune teller, known as E Thi, who counted several Thai generals and powerful politicians among her clientele, died yesterday at her home outside Yangon city. She was 58.
E Thi: Thai elite sought her advice
Based on media reports in Myanmar, Swe Swe Win (better known as E Thi) died at 4.20am (local time) at her home east of the formal capital. The cause of death was not given. E Thi was known to make predictions for several influential and powerful figures not only in Myanmar but also the Southeast Asian region. Among her Thai clients were billionaires and politicians including former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who reportedly sought her advice before he was ousted in a 2006 coup.
Physically disabled, blind and speech-impaired, E Thi had her sister translate her predictions. She was known for her ability to guess the serial number of a banknote before seeing it.
She also reportedly told several Thai politicians what they could expect to happen to them on a number of occasions. During the street protests in Bangkok before he was eventually ousted in the Sept 19, 2006, coup, Thaksin travelled to Myanmar where he reportedly sought guidance from the fortune teller. Rumours circulated that she had earlier foreseen his rise to power.
In 2013, a time of political disturbance in Thailand, E Thi was quoted as saying the Yingluck administration would hit rock bottom. She predicted violent confrontations and losses.
She said the country would change for the better within six or nine months, with more dramatic change to come in 2014. She also predicted the government of Yingluck Shinawatra would be wiped out. On May 7, 2014, the Constitutional Court ordered Ms Yingluck Shinawatra and several cabinet ministers to step down over the illegal transfer of national security chief Thawil Pliensri. Two weeks later, the Pheu Thai-led government was toppled by a coup led by then-army chief Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha.
E Thi is also known to have predicted a powerful earthquake in Thailand in 2012. It was greeted with skepticism until a large temblor struck the northern region in May 2014.
