Those of you that have visited Thailand have probably noticed the amulets that most Thais wear on chains around their neck. These are essentially good luck charms, designed to ward off evil spirits. Although they commonly reflect Buddhist motifs in their design, the amulets reflect the older, animistic beliefs that Thais still adhere to. The amulets are usually small bits of cast metal or stone and inch or so high, but that brings me to what I wanted to write about today.

I’ve noticed lately that amulets seem to be getting much bigger. It’s now quite common to see large round amulets as much as three or four inches in diameter. Now, this may just be fashion, but I’ve also noticed that the number of amulet stalls in shopping malls and other places has dramatically increased as well. I think there’s more at work here than just fashion.

These are somewhat uncertain times in Thailand. It’s not just politics, but southern unrest, a world economic decline, rising oil prices, and many other concerns that have a large number of Thais seeking a little extra help in keeping the bad things at bay.