The Thai culture is shaped by Buddhism, being quasi-state religion, and serving as a connecting element between almost all Thais. But to understand the everyday culture, it is important to be aware of the syncretic nature of Thai religiosity, in particular the importance of animism. This manifests itself mainly in the belief in Ghosts and the power of amulets.

 

Undoubtedly the most popular amulet is a Buddha picture carried suspended on a chain around the neck. This can be cast from metal, or carved from wood. The most common kind however is a mixture of different ingredients, compressed in a form and then baked.

 

Almost as popular as the Buddha effigies are medallions, showing the face of King Chulalongkorn, or of particularly venerable monks, which are famous for their magical powers.

 

The manufacture of these amulets is allowed also to the laity, but the bulk of production is by monks. To create such an amulet one needs besides the shape also the necessary ingredients, as the right spells and magical drawings. Not infrequently, one of the components comes from the ashes by the combustion of handwritten holy books of the monastery.

 

Each Thai carries at least one amulet on a chain around his neck. Most carry only one amulet, but one can also often see people carrying up to 20 specimens around their neck. For dangerous jobs (for example, truck drivers, and construction workers on shaky scaffoldings) the additional amulets give the bearer an additional sense of security. In the south of the country plagued by terrorists, officers ordered their soldiers under threat of punishment that certain amulets must be carried, In most cars and buses one or more amulets are suspended on the inside rear-view mirror.

 

Amulets with an image of Buddha are not only ornaments or utensils, but religious objects, demanding respect. When a Thai deposes or puts on his amulet, he always makes first a Wai with the amulet in the folded hands. Various amulets have different forces. Some protect against accidents, others help against the loss of property, or just bring luck, both in the lottery as in love and some make the bearer even more attractive for women. Above all, they bring general well-being and keep evil ghosts away.

 

Amulet seller can be found everywhere, at the corners of busy streets, in the market, in temples, even in the computer Mecca, the Panthip building in Bangkok, where one can find more than a hundred computer shops with a huge range of original- and copy ware, There are sale stalls with amulets made of metal or clay in all sizes and designs. On questioning, the seller will give information, which amulet helps against what evils.

 

The amulet market is one of the largest markets in Thailand. In Bangkok alone, the sales of amulets are estimated to about 10 million baht daily. The prices of such amulets go from a few baht to several thousand baht. For especially valuable pieces - not because of the valuable material price, but because of the special effects ascribed to these copies - are paid tens of thousands of baht. Some amulets which have proved their miraculous power can even be extremely valuable. A Farang cannot see why one amulet is more precious than an other, but a Thai expert will identify by the shape and by the stamp imprinted on the back of every good Amulet, not only from what temple this amulet origins, but even when it was coined, and how much is its current value. Amulets made of gold, however, are only traded in gold shops. This is not true amulets, originating from a temple, but they are just pieces of jewellery, having only their gold value.

 

There are many speculative ideas appearing like bubbles. One of them is the trade with religious talismans in Thailand. Rumors about the supernatural powers of amulets spread quickly in the country, reported by newspapers and television. New models are created, for example with the name "Super Rich to Heaven" or "Perpetual Prosperity" and the merchants pay millions for advertising in newspapers and on television.

 

In information literature for visitors to Thailand it will be warned that the taking out of the country of ancient Buddha statues is prohibited. The reason is that Thais fear that the Buddhas are not treated with respect. But little Buddha amulets of tourists can easily be taken out by tourists.