Walk through Bangkok’s busy streets, and you’ll spot Buddhist amulets hanging from nearly everyone’s neck – from taxi drivers to business owners to students. These tiny religious objects pack a big punch in Thai culture, with Bangkok being one of the main spots where people buy and sell them. Mostly this is because some of the most important Theravada Buddhist temples are found here, and the other reason is because the population of 10+ million people makes it the ideal location.
Why Thai People Love Their Amulets
Thai people buy amulets for all sorts of reasons. Most want protection from bad luck and accidents. Taxi drivers often wear several amulets to keep them safe on Bangkok’s crazy roads. Business owners believe certain amulets bring in more customers and money. Students wear them during big tests, hoping they’ll help them pass their exams.
Some people just feel better having an amulet with them – kind of like carrying a lucky charm. Others collect them because they’re interested in Thai history and Buddhism. Many believe the most powerful amulets can stop bullets or make the wearer invisible in dangerous situations.
Bangkok’s Famous Amulet-Making Temples
Wat Rakhang
Sitting on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Wat Rakhang is probably Bangkok’s most famous temple for amulets. They’re known for their Phra Somdej amulets, first made by the super-respected Somdej Toh about 150 years ago. These amulets are still super popular today, and the temple makes new ones using the old recipes and blessing methods.
Wat Mahathat
Right next to the Grand Palace, Wat Mahathat makes some really powerful amulets. Their Phra Pidta (closed-eyes Buddha) amulets are big sellers. People say these amulets are great for business success. The temple’s also a major spot where amulet collectors meet up to buy, sell, and trade.
Wat Suthat
This royal temple is famous for its Phra Kam amulets, which people believe bring good luck and keep away evil spirits. The monks here use special herbs and powders in their amulets, following recipes that are hundreds of years old.
Monks and Their Famous Amulets
Luang Phor Tuad
While he wasn’t from Bangkok, his amulets are everywhere in the city. People say his amulets can turn dirty water clean and protect you from car crashes. Original Luang Phor Tuad amulets from the 1950s and 60s can sell for millions of baht.
Somdej Toh
Somdej Toh is like the godfather of Bangkok amulets. His Phra Somdej amulets are some of the most expensive ever. One really rare version sold for 20 million baht (about $570,000) in 2020. He mixed special herbs and temple ash into his amulets, and people say this makes them super powerful.
Luang Phor Pern
LP Pern’s amulets from Wat Bang Phra are crazy popular with Muay Thai fighters. They believe his tiger amulets give them strength in the ring. Some of his rarest amulets have sold for over 5 million baht.
The Most Famous Bangkok Amulets
Phra Somdej
These are the heavy hitters of the amulet world. Made famous by Somdej Toh, they’re usually small and show Buddha sitting in different positions. The really old ones can cost more than a nice car.
Phra Pidta
These show Buddha covering his eyes, which people think helps block out bad stuff and bring in good fortune. Bangkok taxi drivers love these – they think they help prevent accidents.
Jatukam Rammathep
These got super popular around 2006-2007. People went crazy for them, spending their life savings to buy rare versions. While they’re not as hot now, they’re still one of Bangkok’s best-selling amulets.
Show Me the Money: Bangkok’s Amulet Market
The amulet business in Bangkok is huge. The biggest market is Tha Prachan, near Thammasat University. Hundreds of sellers set up shop here every day. They use special lights and magnifying glasses to check if amulets are real or fake.
It’s hard to say exactly how much money moves through Bangkok’s amulet market each year, but experts think it’s around 5 billion baht (about $143 million). Some super rare amulets sell for millions of baht each, while you can get simple ones for just 100 baht.
Buddhist Amulet Markets near Bangkok | Riverside Amulet Market | Other market
The Most Expensive Amulets Ever Sold in Bangkok
- A first-batch Phra Somdej from Wat Rakhang sold for 20 million baht in 2020
- A Phra Rod from Wat Mahathat went for 15 million baht in 2019
- A special Jatukam Rammathep sold for 10 million baht during the 2007 craze
How to Spot Real vs. Fake Amulets
With so much money involved, fake amulets are everywhere in Bangkok. Here’s what serious collectors look for:
- Special marks that only appear on real temple-made amulets
- The right kind of wear and tear for old amulets
- Specific materials used by each temple
- Temple certificates that come with expensive amulets
The Future of Bangkok’s Amulet Scene
While young people in Bangkok might not be as spiritual as their parents, they’re still buying amulets. Some wear them as fashion statements or good luck charms. Others collect them as investments, kind of like trading cards or stocks.
New amulets keep coming out, with some temples now making modern versions that look cool and appeal to younger buyers. Some temples even sell their amulets online now, though serious collectors still prefer buying in person.
Trading Tips from Bangkok Amulet Experts
- Start with cheaper amulets to learn about different styles. Don’t spend more than a couple of hundred dollars at first.
- Get to know the sellers at markets like Tha Prachan. Or, if you cannot visit, you can find many nice amulets here at ThaiAmuletStore.com.
- Learn about each temple’s special amulet-making techniques. Some add graveyard dirt, others add bone or hair.
- Don’t expect to get rich quick – collecting takes time and knowledge.
- Buy amulets you actually like, not just because they might be worth money later. Most people have a real attachment to their pendants.
Bangkok’s amulet scene is more than just buying and selling lucky charms. It’s where old Buddhist traditions meet modern city life, where taxi drivers and millionaire collectors shop side by side, and where faith and fortune come together in tiny pieces of clay and metal that people believe can change their lives.