You only have to be on Thai soil for a minute before you stumble upon the Thai amulet, be it hanging from the rear view mirror of a taxi or dangling around the neck of a wealthy businessman.
Amulets can fetch upwards of 1m Baht depending on their origin and age. There are conventions, numerous monthly publications reselling and educating on everything “lucky” and collectable, and an abundance of enthusiasts selling on the street in areas such as China Town.
You might not realise, however, that amulets are more that just lucky charms. This is big business…business that has little to do with Buddhism.
How Much Is This Haul Worth?
Where Does Buddhism Fit Into the Thai Amulet Trade?
The modern day Thai amulet trade has little to do with Buddhism and more to do with making money and selling the superstition surrounding luck. Buddhism considers the superstition of amulets as unconscious, as opposed to the higher consciousness of the path of the Buddha.
Buddhism also consider the trading of Buddha images for financial gain to be superficial and offensive to Buddhist traditions. For this reason, Thai amulet collecting is described in Thai as “borrowing” rather than buying.
Thai amulets containing Buddhist imagery is supposed to remind the individual of the path of the Buddha and of his or her commitment to this path. According to Buddhism, amulets do not contain special powers and only karma can determine our path. The perceived “magic” of amulets actually has its roots in Brahmanic traditions.
Each batch of amulets produced in a temple must be done so by blessed, cleansed individuals. The amulets are then blessed by monks before being handed out to congregators (probably for a donation). I'm not sure if batches are made in temples for specific distribution within the amulet industry.
Why I Am Interested in Thai Amulets?
Well, I like collectable things and I enjoy history. These little charms fascinate me, and for some time I have been trying to figure out how one can tell what an amulet is worth, where it's from and whether it's authentic or not.
I am not in the market to buy, though, because I'm 100% sure I'd end up paying well over the odds and getting it all very wrong.
I'm really struggling to see how the eye glass helps to identify the origin and age of an amulet. Are there specific markings one should look for?
I have searched online for information, but at best I can only find English written warnings to beware of fakes, to not trust magazine pictures and to be careful of buying mass produced amulets that aren't made in temples.
The materials used for fakes and authentic amulets are apparently the same, making it easier for a sucker like me to get ripped off. That said, the materials mix used to make the real amulets is kept a secret on each batch.
Apparently experts know how to spot real markings, and obviously they know the issue history of different amulet series. Another reoccurring warning I found in my research is to look out for sellers who are “selling” the luck/magic aspect of the amulet over its heritage.
Enthusiasts claim that genuine sellers are genuinely interested in promoting an authentic resale market, along with properly representing the Buddhist faith – I'm sure there's a slight contradiction in that claim.
I read in one book that there have been a few series of amulets issued by the King over the course of his reign. These have been distributed to members of the aristocracy and leading army figures. Owing one of these is sure to be worth a fair packet.
Amulets worth collecting are of course the rarer ones, such as those issued in limited runs, usually to commemorate the passing of well-respected monks or to mark commemorative days linked to the monarchy.
All said and done it's a huge business. But sadly little information is available for westerners to learn and get involved because it's essentially a “Thai-centric” hobby.
However, I am hoping that a few enthusiasts (or anyone with more knowledge than myself) might land on this page and contribute some information in the comments section, so that foreigners like myself can get an insight to one of Thailand most revered collectables.
An Insightful Thai Amulet Documentary
The documentary below provides additional insight to the industry and answers many questions that I can't. It's also produced by Thai students, so the research is thorough and from a native understanding. It's only 10 minutes long too. Enjoy!
Tina says
Hi can I ask all you amulet collectors out there have you noticed any improvements or positive changes in your life after procuring particular amulets?
I am genuinely interested on whether they work in the way that the Thai people believe.
Thank you
Aug 22, 2017 at 7:21 pm
John Bingham says
5000 years well not even pot makers have those now days. What a bunch of cap to say on a great article. I fight fire for a living and I enjoy long career with out death so luck is a thing for those who have dangerous jobs. Blessings to all.
Feb 09, 2017 at 10:07 am
mike says
I dont quite know who your referring to but i onow for a fact my amulets are not 5000 years old.
My debate started when i was questioned about one particular amulet i hace to which there is only 100 in the world.
When i got it check they could not establish a price. However as i stand by my word i was offered a substantial amount of money from an american collector to which i still to this day refuse to let go. Some people ob here think its amusing to be sarcastic towrd my claim however
None of my amulets are anywhere near 5000 years old (to which er herm has been claimed) and for anyone doing proper research and knowledge would know even the (GEMS) buried with relics of the bhudda four of which were made and only one found would know they are here in uk in a simple modest home not in a museum and certainly not anywhere near 5000 years old.
Feb 09, 2017 at 8:47 pm
Derek says
Hi Peter,
Its been a while since we spoke about amulets and I have attained a little more knowledge since then,
My wife’s uncle is a retired from a high position in the army and he spends all his spare time collecting Amulets from around the world but mostly I gather from India,
He has came every year since he learned of my interest in Phra Pidta and given a new Phra Pidta Budda for my collection my oldest now is a 400 year old Phra Pidta sitting in a coiled hooded King Cobra,
I like the history and stories that go along with the Buddha Amulets it is interesting and I like the small collection of around 50 Amulets I have now,
I was also given a small Phra Pidta which is of a young Phra Pidta with a Top Knot in his hair,
My wife’s uncle told me this one is copied a lot and he showed me 2 markings that he looked for when buying it to know it was authentic,
One of the markings just looks like a tiny X hard to see with the naked eye and another marking that just looked like part of the cast to me,
I think it would take a lot of years of study to have any sort of an understanding to differentiate between the real and fake,
Did you have any luck on having your Amulets valued,
I have been given all my Amulets from family and friends so I have never asked there value,
I hope life is treating you good,
Regards
Derek
Jul 09, 2016 at 8:34 pm
TheThailandLife says
Hi Derek, wow, 400 years old! That must be pretty valuable. I have a few amulets, mostly my wife’s 🙂 But these are generally ones issued by local temples for special events and I doubt they are worth anything. Interestingly, on a trip to Laos this year I met a Chinese amulet dealer who obtains amulets from popular monks in Thailand and sells them (he calls it lending, out of respect) on his Facebook page. I think he does quite well. He taught me some basics about the industry, but as you say, it would take many years of dedicated study and collection to be able to spot fakes, and very valuable ones. It is fascinating, but I have been held back in my interest to acquire more because I don’t know who I can trust.
Jul 10, 2016 at 3:26 pm
Derek says
Actually mine are worth 5 million baht so my friend told me and 5000 years old,passed down through family and farms for 3000 years….anyone else got one older?
Jul 07, 2016 at 4:56 pm
Derek says
Mike maybe?
Jul 07, 2016 at 4:57 pm
mike says
Yes mine are older i have the blind bhudda amulet and i have five more that are extremely old 2000+yrs i wish i could just upload photos it would be easier really i did not come here to compete i have only around 7 all given to me and one badge marking i believe the anniversary of one of thailands great lung however i am still learning knowledge of amulets although i do not collect i also must say that since owni g the one that was given to me only 2 months ago in bangkok my job and luck has dramatically changed for the better although i didnt ask for luck i accepted the changes and life is going a lot better
Jul 13, 2016 at 7:29 pm
mike says
I with respect question the age of yours considering bhudda was not 5000 years ago this is news to me
Jul 13, 2016 at 7:31 pm
Rachiel says
Hello,
I have 2 kinds of amulet from a very nice family we met in Thailand 3 years ago. How will I know what kind of amulet is this? I would really love to know about it.
Rachiel
Jan 23, 2016 at 7:56 pm
TheThailandLife says
Hi Rachiel,
You’d need to speak with an honest specialist who could look at it, but if it was given to your for free by a family I’d guess that it was probably an amulet(s) issued at a local temple they visit and possibly blessed by a locally respected monk.
Jan 24, 2016 at 4:31 am
Mikey says
Hello Rachel,
It depends on what kind of amulet it is I have a few amulets myself and I know mine are worth a lot of money I never buy amulets I have only ever aqquired them. So much so an American Thai offered me 80,000 USA dollars for just one I own. I refused of course I do not were them except for when I go to thailand and even at that I am swamped by Thais who ask me how a farang came to posses such amulets. I have obviously been very fortunate.my advice is keep your amulets safe.the amulets value is personal and no amount of money should ever influence you to sell or even give away unless extremely trusting
Jun 17, 2016 at 9:10 am
jiggi says
Unless I am writing this to someone with oil money it sounds to me that you are just pushing some propaganda. What kind of nostalgic trinket is worth more than $80K even if you are a believer in the magic?! Thailand has more amulet magazine’s dedicated to them than comic books and baseball cards combined-AND THOSE ARE MADE MOSTLY FOR COLLECTING. This person has the World’s biggest cigar and smoke is working in some way here.
Jul 02, 2016 at 9:02 pm
mike says
Im afraid your very assumptive in your comment i said i was offered around this much and your comment has about as much merit as waste paper to an oil tycoon.
some people do actually collect them and mine was valued at less the price however an american collector offered me that amount purely on the basis that there are only 100 of them in the world as i have another to which there are only 800 in the world im not a believer in magic and my pat is not for magic it is for me and me only so take your wisdom somewhere else please if i was an oil tycoon i can assure you i would not be collecting pat id be sitting on a yacht not thinking of the poor suffering in the world
thank you for your insight however it was enlightening
Jul 08, 2016 at 1:51 am
mike says
And basically what your saying is the dead sea scrolls if found are worth nothing trinkets from the the titanic are worth nothing heck even hitlers car thats placed in the vatican vaults is worth nothing?
i fear my friend you are either too questionable about things around you dont worry we all have questions or you are highly uneducated which i do not want to go with.
bottom line my pats are not for sale and if a collector knows what they are looking for and are educated enough to make an offer regardless of its worth then i think i know what im talking about next you will be telling me some trinkets from an original burial place of the bhuddas remains are not real and in a house in england.
i can assure you there too that you would be highly wrong.
Jul 08, 2016 at 4:08 am
Derek says
Mike
I think you are the one who is sounding quiet uneducated,what is a pats by the way? Do you mean Phra? as in Phra Khrueang?
I think your self conceiting attitude glows greatly in your comments,
And if I ever needed advice on Thai Amulets I think your sort of advice would have people paying a fortune for something that would probably end up eventually nothing,
The initial question that was asked was on advice on how to date age and value Thai Amulets,
Not to listen to how you are enlightened with the value of your particular Buddhas,
I would realistically think your Amulets are probably given out free on merit days,
But you seem to be such an expert you would know better than me,
I think even for the average Thai is is very very difficult to understand the value of an Amulet,
I know my wife’s uncle is a collector and travels the world to find Buddhas,
And the only way you can get a true value on any Amulet is to get it valued by and expert you personally know and trust,
Derek
Jul 09, 2016 at 8:15 pm
mike says
Non of my amulets have been giving on merit days and you question me on the word pat? I am aware of phra in thailand if you have not heard the word pat meaning phra anyway then i am not educated clearly.like i said above i am not here to talk of enlightenment nor compare value the question was asked derek with all due respect age and in effect probable value i clearly said my pat/Phra are not for anyone but me to the assuming poster.
i dont see how i am wrong in commenting that and i qoute “an american thai offered me a substantial amount” for what i have i have no idea of it true value nor do i care for value and i might add i take thai theravadA bhuddism extremely seriously and when i go back to thailand which is often to my wife i always get the same reaction how is it a farang came to own these pat/phra? I think my words and posts have been taken just a step out of context derek and i meant no disrespect to you or anyone else i cannot stop someone from offering what they want anymore than i can stop the arrogance and ignorance of this world but what i can do is apologise if my comments were leaving you feeling like i am some jumped up know it all. I am far from it and far from knowing value of phra please accept my sincere apologies to you and anyone else that took my words the wrong way,i care not for money in truth i have 2000 saved and i woukd gkadly give my job up in uk and rough it out with my wife in a country i so fondly love. Regardless of its phras or not what matters to me more is happiness and no phra nor money will ever make up for a life of misery
Jul 13, 2016 at 8:04 pm
Chayapon says
Amulet collecting in Thailand in my opinion is like a hobby for someone who loves collecting coins. I love this kind of thing because of it’s beauty, although some other people need them to help them in many ways like luck, protection from bad spirits, etc. None of these are bad things that make trouble to other people. It’s not the Buddhist teaching, but if it’s not making trouble for anyone else it’s ok for me. Whoever loves collecting Amulets, come join us on our Facebook page – Thai Victory Amulet. See you all.
Nov 01, 2015 at 4:01 pm
Joy B says
My husband was reading this about living in Pai and told me you say about amulets. I have amulet shop. We sell just Buddhist amulets direct from temples for tourists or people overseas. Free shipping. Right now we have sale. If you want can visit. ThaiAmuletSales.com. :PP
Sep 12, 2014 at 9:31 pm
TheThailandLife says
Thanks Joy. Perhaps you can give us some information on how to tell which ones are worth good money 🙂
Sep 12, 2014 at 11:28 pm
Derek says
Hi Peter,
I would like to know a bit more on this subject myself,I got a present of an amulet from a Thai friend 6 or 7 years ago his wife told me the stone was old and expensive and to take care of it, its Phra-Pidta (the closed eyed god) its supposed to protect you..and I do like it,I got it mounted in gold and wear it every day,But I dont know where the stone came from as I have never shows it to anyone in the business,just for interest it would be nice to know a bit more.. Derek 🙂
Jun 05, 2012 at 1:25 am
TheThailandLife says
That sounds interesting, perhaps you should bring it with you next time and get a few valuations on it. That could be a starting point to knowing what markings to look for and how to verify authenticity. Please come back and post your findings if you do.
Jun 05, 2012 at 11:54 am