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Thailand is a Buddhist country and the people are very superstitious.
A lot of people prefer to wear a Buddhist amulet instead,
which they believe ward off evil and keep them from harm's
way.
There are many different kinds of amulet, all of which are
thought to bring different blessings to the wearer - be it
good luck, fertility, the gift of the gab, true love or protection
from harm. Some of the most powerful amulets can be found
on the dashboards of taxis and tuk tuks - if you've seen the
state of Bangkok traffic you'll understand why they need a
little extra insurance!
Where to bag a bargain
The largest amulet market in Bangkok is located just outside
Wat Rajannada - the distinctive 'Iron Castle'. The
Buddha images and little ceramic Phra Pim sold here aren't
meant for tourists. This is serious religious business. Buddhist
doctrine actually forbids the buying and selling of Buddha
images. Instead, the stallholders 'rent' them to the wearer
for a lifetime.
You can also buy cast bronze Buddhas here, most of which
are destined for the homes of devotees. The Government Fine
Arts Department keeps a close eye on all Buddha images that
are exported from the country, and tourists wishing to take
one home have to apply for a licence. You should also bear
in mind that the image of Buddha is sacred. You should place
it on a high shelf and never on the floor, and avoid touching
the head. Each day, you should place offerings of food and
incense before your Buddha. If treated appropriately, a Buddha
statue is believe to bring good luck. |
