Encyclopedia

Reference articles on Thai amulets and Thai occult objects — what they are, who made them, from what, and how collectors identify them. Every statement is traced to an independent source, listed at the end of each article.

Showing 12 articles in Deities & figures · show all

Deities & figures

Gods, guardians and figures from Thai Buddhist and Brahmanic tradition.

Ganesh Thai Amulet: Phra Phikanet in Royal Art and Shrines

A historical guide to the Ganesh Thai amulet (Phra Phikanet), covering royal Brahmin rites, the Fine Arts Department seal, and Chachoengsao monuments.

Fact-checked · 12 sources · 13 min read

Four Face Buddha (Phra Phrom): The Erawan Shrine in Bangkok

The four face Buddha is Phra Phrom, the Thai Brahma; this entry covers his cosmology, Bangkok's 1956 Erawan Shrine, the 2006 and 2015 attacks and customs.

Fact-checked · 21 sources · 13 min read

Hanuman Thai Amulet: Ramakien Art, Khon Masks and Sak Yant

A cultural and art-historical guide to the Hanuman Thai amulet, covering the Ramakien epic, Wat Phra Kaew murals, Khon masks, and Sak Yant traditions.

Fact-checked · 14 sources · 13 min read

Thao Wessuwan: Buddhist Guardian King, Wat Arun and Amulets

Historical guide to Thao Wessuwan (Vessavana), the Buddhist guardian king of the north, the giant guardians of Wat Arun, and Wat Chulamanee amulets.

Fact-checked · 11 sources · 13 min read

Phra Ngan (Phra Ngang): Origins, Traditions and Debate

Phra Ngan (Phra Ngang) in Thai folk religion: Ayutthaya origins, borderland beliefs, Wat Pho and Wat Bowon lore, and why its role is debated.

Fact-checked · 12 sources · 13 min read

Phra Sivali: The Pali Canon Arahant, Iconography and Amulets

A documented guide to Phra Sivali in the Pali Canon, his walking-monk iconography with umbrella and alms bowl, and Thai Sivali amulets.

Fact-checked · 15 sources · 14 min read

Jatukam Ramathep: Origins, the 2007 Amulet Boom and the Bust

Jatukam Ramathep is a guardian-deity amulet from Nakhon Si Thammarat, first issued in 1987, whose 2007 boom and bust became national news.

Fact-checked · 21 sources · 14 min read

Phra Rahu: Eclipse Deity, Wat Sisa Thong and Coconut Amulets

Phra Rahu is the eclipse asura of Hindu-Buddhist lore, worshipped at Wat Sisa Thong in Nakhon Pathom and carved into Thai coconut-shell amulets.

Fact-checked · 20 sources · 14 min read

Nang Kwak (นางกวัก): Meaning, Legends, Statues and Offerings

Nang Kwak is the beckoning lady of Thai folk religion; this guide covers her name, origin legends, statues, makers, offerings and Chinese name.

Fact-checked · 12 sources · 14 min read

Lersi (ฤๅษี): Thai Hermit Sages, Pu Chiwok Komarabhacca and the Hermit Head

Lersi is the Thai name for the hermit sage, from Sanskrit ṛṣi. This entry covers the tradition, Jivaka Komarabhacca, the Wat Pho hermits and hermit heads.

Fact-checked · 11 sources · 6 min read

Luk Phaya Marn (ลูกพญามาร): The Daughters of Māra in Scripture, Thai Art and Amulets

Luk Phaya Marn refers to Māra's three daughters, Taṇhā, Arati and Ragā. This entry covers their scriptural episode, Thai murals and amulets.

Fact-checked · 12 sources · 7 min read

Phra Sangkachai (พระสังกัจจายน์): Mahākaccāna, the Rotund Image and Its Amulets

Phra Sangkachai is the Thai name for Mahākaccāna, a disciple of the Buddha. This entry covers his scriptural record, rotund image and amulets.

Fact-checked · 9 sources · 6 min read