Waning public enthusiasm for Jatukham Rammathep amulets has left many Chiang Mai temples in deep financial trouble.
Sales of the talismans are too small to cover what temples spent to have them made.
Some temples have incurred debts in the millions of baht after they borrowed to produce the amulets, unaware their popularity would slump so soon.
Their predicament prompted the Chiang Mai Buddhism Office to organise a fair just for local temples to sell their amulets and earn money to repay their debts.
The one-week amulet bazaar opened last Friday at Lokmolee Temple in Chiang Mai's Muang district with more than 20 temples putting up stalls.
Abbot of Wat Phratat Doikoeng, Luangpor Boonsri, said his temple borrowed Bt5 million to make 200,000 amulets in August. It has sold just 1,000.
Before joining the amulet fair, the temple sought help from private sellers to market the talismans, he said.
"I have talked to abbots of other temples and they have the same problem. Some of them have debts of up to Bt10 million each," he said.
Phra Narin Khampipanyo of Wat Sanpaliang said it spent Bt2.5 million on making amulets five months ago.
Sales were especially good to start with. "But volume suddenly dropped as many other temples had amulets, too. Now the temple is more than Bt1 million in debt," he said.
Phra Narin said the Jatukham fair did not help boost sales. "We pay Bt4,000 a day to rent a stall but today we have sold five and made Bt500," he said.
The Nation
Showing posts with label Jatukham. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jatukham. Show all posts
13 September 2007
Believing the unbelievable.
In tune with the wave of anti-religious publications; most notably by authors Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens, I will attack the subject here.
The three names above might not ring many bells with Thais, except those interested in biology, a field in which Richard Dawkins is a prominent figure. However, they are the spearhead of an international movement fed-up with irrationality. Maybe the largest offspring of irrationality and superstition is religion.
One can debate why people in southern Thailand are being blown up and decapitated, but I doubt that even the slimiest of politicians would deny outright that it has something to do with religion. People are quick to blame this on Islam, and they are partly right to do so. But the people killing innocents and the people buying Jatukam Ramathep amulets because they believe they are magic have something in common; an irrational belief. Although the beliefs are different, they are utterly groundless and deserve no respect whatsoever.
Yes that's right, NO respect. And this goes for all groundless claims; be them nazi ideology, horoscopes or a preacher that says condoms are immoral and so forth.
Why are we so prone to accept the ridiculous claims of such things as horoscopes, spells and a belief in invisible gods? And why on earth are we so afraid of the people that accept these things that it is practically considered disrespectful to question them? If someone walked up to you and said he could summon monsters you would probably tell him he was crazy or demand proof. If you are a man of faith, and someone comes up to you and says he spoke to jesus last night you would probably say congratulations. Buddhism is different in the way that in its essence (but not in it’s entirety) it encourages using rationale and critical thinking. But I am sure that all but the most confused individual will agree that this is far from what is the commoners view and practice of buddhism in Thailand. How many cars have you been in without a blessing in the ceiling? And what are the odds that the guy you stop on the street believes in all sorts of spirits or ghosts; I would say fairly high.
I ask again, why are people so easily persuaded into such irrational thought? Smarter people than me have tried to come up with answers and I won't recite their various conclusions. However, one thing is for certain and that is that it has never been beneficial for a society to cultivate irrationality.
If you indulge in astrology, spirit guides, magic amulets and other irrational and baseless activities or respect such things you act as a fertilizer for the next extremist that thinks; 'I feel that hurting this person in the name of my belief is ok and that is enough evidence for me.'
We tell our kids stories about santa claus, magic and wizards, when they grow up we tell them that it's not true; don't forget to remind yourself of that as well.
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/narcisuss/2007/08/17/entry-1
The three names above might not ring many bells with Thais, except those interested in biology, a field in which Richard Dawkins is a prominent figure. However, they are the spearhead of an international movement fed-up with irrationality. Maybe the largest offspring of irrationality and superstition is religion.
One can debate why people in southern Thailand are being blown up and decapitated, but I doubt that even the slimiest of politicians would deny outright that it has something to do with religion. People are quick to blame this on Islam, and they are partly right to do so. But the people killing innocents and the people buying Jatukam Ramathep amulets because they believe they are magic have something in common; an irrational belief. Although the beliefs are different, they are utterly groundless and deserve no respect whatsoever.
Yes that's right, NO respect. And this goes for all groundless claims; be them nazi ideology, horoscopes or a preacher that says condoms are immoral and so forth.
Why are we so prone to accept the ridiculous claims of such things as horoscopes, spells and a belief in invisible gods? And why on earth are we so afraid of the people that accept these things that it is practically considered disrespectful to question them? If someone walked up to you and said he could summon monsters you would probably tell him he was crazy or demand proof. If you are a man of faith, and someone comes up to you and says he spoke to jesus last night you would probably say congratulations. Buddhism is different in the way that in its essence (but not in it’s entirety) it encourages using rationale and critical thinking. But I am sure that all but the most confused individual will agree that this is far from what is the commoners view and practice of buddhism in Thailand. How many cars have you been in without a blessing in the ceiling? And what are the odds that the guy you stop on the street believes in all sorts of spirits or ghosts; I would say fairly high.
I ask again, why are people so easily persuaded into such irrational thought? Smarter people than me have tried to come up with answers and I won't recite their various conclusions. However, one thing is for certain and that is that it has never been beneficial for a society to cultivate irrationality.
If you indulge in astrology, spirit guides, magic amulets and other irrational and baseless activities or respect such things you act as a fertilizer for the next extremist that thinks; 'I feel that hurting this person in the name of my belief is ok and that is enough evidence for me.'
We tell our kids stories about santa claus, magic and wizards, when they grow up we tell them that it's not true; don't forget to remind yourself of that as well.
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/narcisuss/2007/08/17/entry-1
10 September 2007
Vendors earn more than they dreamed of in Nakhon Si Thammarat
Sales of Jatukarm Ramathep amulets are thriving in Nakhon Si Thammarat's Muang district, with many sellers earning more money than they ever dreamed of.
Duangchanok Amornsak closed down her traditional dance school in August last year and began trading Jatukarm Ramathep talismans.
She admits to making a good profit as demand for the amulets _ which are priced from 199 to 150,000 baht _ has surged. She also sells T-shirts bearing the image of the talisman, and books and pictures.
"I used to get about 10,000 baht a month as a dance teacher. Now I earn from 100,000 to 200,000 baht a month from selling the amulets," she said.
Stalls selling the amulets are on almost every road in downtown Muang district. Although the amulets were introduced in the province 20 years ago, Ms Duangchanok believes their popularity jumped only recently, with the funeral of Pol Maj-Gen Khun Phantharak Rajadej, a well-respected local aristocrat.
Thousands of people flocked to the cremation of Khun Phantharak to obtain the amulets, which were distributed by his children as keepsakes.
Sales of the amulets have stimulated the local economy, putting an estimated 100 million baht into circulation.
Pailin Arunjit also quit her job to become a talisman vendor.
Ms Pailin said she invested 30,000 baht to open her business three months ago. Now she earns about 100,000 baht a month.
"I had never thought that I would have what I have today. My monthly salary as a department store worker was a few thousand baht," she said, adding that she is now able to pay off her debts.
Ms Duangchanok said she believed the talisman would sell well for the next two to three years before dying down, as was "the law of nature".
She personally believed in the magical powers of Jatukarm Ramathep and had various versions of the amulets in stock.
"I don't try to persuade anyone to believe me or to buy the talismans from me. There is no point in owning the amulet but not behaving well. Jatukarm Ramathep will only protect decent people, bringing them good luck," she said.
The amulets comprise a group of talismans with images of a deity and symbols dating back to the ancient Malay kingdom of Srivijaya, of which Nakhon Si Thammarat was a part.
http://pages.citebite.com/i1q4n3r4y7eho
Duangchanok Amornsak closed down her traditional dance school in August last year and began trading Jatukarm Ramathep talismans.
She admits to making a good profit as demand for the amulets _ which are priced from 199 to 150,000 baht _ has surged. She also sells T-shirts bearing the image of the talisman, and books and pictures.
"I used to get about 10,000 baht a month as a dance teacher. Now I earn from 100,000 to 200,000 baht a month from selling the amulets," she said.
Stalls selling the amulets are on almost every road in downtown Muang district. Although the amulets were introduced in the province 20 years ago, Ms Duangchanok believes their popularity jumped only recently, with the funeral of Pol Maj-Gen Khun Phantharak Rajadej, a well-respected local aristocrat.
Thousands of people flocked to the cremation of Khun Phantharak to obtain the amulets, which were distributed by his children as keepsakes.
Sales of the amulets have stimulated the local economy, putting an estimated 100 million baht into circulation.
Pailin Arunjit also quit her job to become a talisman vendor.
Ms Pailin said she invested 30,000 baht to open her business three months ago. Now she earns about 100,000 baht a month.
"I had never thought that I would have what I have today. My monthly salary as a department store worker was a few thousand baht," she said, adding that she is now able to pay off her debts.
Ms Duangchanok said she believed the talisman would sell well for the next two to three years before dying down, as was "the law of nature".
She personally believed in the magical powers of Jatukarm Ramathep and had various versions of the amulets in stock.
"I don't try to persuade anyone to believe me or to buy the talismans from me. There is no point in owning the amulet but not behaving well. Jatukarm Ramathep will only protect decent people, bringing them good luck," she said.
The amulets comprise a group of talismans with images of a deity and symbols dating back to the ancient Malay kingdom of Srivijaya, of which Nakhon Si Thammarat was a part.
http://pages.citebite.com/i1q4n3r4y7eho
06 September 2007
Thai temple makes lucky charms of infants' ashes
BANGKOK (Reuters) - A Thai Buddhist temple has been reprimanded by religious authorities for selling amulets containing the ashes of cremated infants to raise money for a plot of land and a crematorium, an official said on Tuesday.
The bodies of 28 foetuses or infants who died of natural causes were cremated legally at the temple's aging incinerator, they said, as Thailand's craze for Jatukam Ramathep amulets promising wealth showed no signs of easing.
"It is not illegal, but it is inappropriate," an official of the local office of Buddhism told Reuters.
"The chief provincial monk has submitted a formal reprimand letter to the temple's abbot," said the official, who declined to be identified.
The Thawee Kara Anant temple in a northern Bangkok suburb was taking advantage of a craze for the amulets that promise to make their owners "super rich" or "rich without reason" sweeping across predominantly Buddhist Thailand.
In July, it made 140,000 disc-shaped amulets about the size of a coffee-cup lid from a variety of herbs and human ashes and had sold most of them, a monk at the temple said.
The idea of mixing the human ashes into the "Multiple Rich" amulets came after neighbours told the abbot they saw spirits of dead infants buried in the temple graveyard in their dreams asking to be freed, monk Lertsak Thitayano told Reuters.
"The abbot wanted to set them free so he decided to cremate them and make merit for them by mixing their ashes into the amulets to empower them in helping the people," he said.
To gain maximum "power", the Jatukam Ramathep amulets, named after two Hindu gods, have to be prayed over by monks for days.
A top-of-the-range gold-leaf edition from a well-respected temple costs 10,000 baht ($300) or more -- more than a month's wages for many Thais.
Some monks have come out swinging against the frenzy, saying it has turned the Buddhist priesthood into an "amulet-blessing industry" despite the religion's shunning of earthly possessions and materialism.
The nation of 65 million people, most of whom remain deeply superstitious despite the rapid modernisation of places such as Bangkok, has spent more than 20 billion baht on the amulets this year, newspapers say.
http://africa.reuters.com/odd/news/usnBKK51983.html
The bodies of 28 foetuses or infants who died of natural causes were cremated legally at the temple's aging incinerator, they said, as Thailand's craze for Jatukam Ramathep amulets promising wealth showed no signs of easing.
"It is not illegal, but it is inappropriate," an official of the local office of Buddhism told Reuters.
"The chief provincial monk has submitted a formal reprimand letter to the temple's abbot," said the official, who declined to be identified.
The Thawee Kara Anant temple in a northern Bangkok suburb was taking advantage of a craze for the amulets that promise to make their owners "super rich" or "rich without reason" sweeping across predominantly Buddhist Thailand.
In July, it made 140,000 disc-shaped amulets about the size of a coffee-cup lid from a variety of herbs and human ashes and had sold most of them, a monk at the temple said.
The idea of mixing the human ashes into the "Multiple Rich" amulets came after neighbours told the abbot they saw spirits of dead infants buried in the temple graveyard in their dreams asking to be freed, monk Lertsak Thitayano told Reuters.
"The abbot wanted to set them free so he decided to cremate them and make merit for them by mixing their ashes into the amulets to empower them in helping the people," he said.
To gain maximum "power", the Jatukam Ramathep amulets, named after two Hindu gods, have to be prayed over by monks for days.
A top-of-the-range gold-leaf edition from a well-respected temple costs 10,000 baht ($300) or more -- more than a month's wages for many Thais.
Some monks have come out swinging against the frenzy, saying it has turned the Buddhist priesthood into an "amulet-blessing industry" despite the religion's shunning of earthly possessions and materialism.
The nation of 65 million people, most of whom remain deeply superstitious despite the rapid modernisation of places such as Bangkok, has spent more than 20 billion baht on the amulets this year, newspapers say.
http://africa.reuters.com/odd/news/usnBKK51983.html
05 September 2007
Jatukarm craze on the wane, but faith intact
Nakhon Si Thammarat _ The demand for Jatukarm Ramathep amulets has faded with few requests now being made to a temple to perform rituals for the talismans. Phra Rajthammasuthee, abbot of Wat Phra Mahathat Voramahaviharn in Nakhon Si Thammarat and provincial chief monk, attributes the declining demand for Jatukarm Ramathep talismans to oversupply. However, public faith in the amulets remains high, he said.
During the Jatukarm amulet craze, the temple, where the talismans originated, had been fully booked for rituals, said the abbot. Now only a few amulet makers made requests for his temple to perform rites for new models of the talisman. Previously, the temple received 700-800 requests a month.
The oversupply of amulets including the sale of the fake ones caused prices to drop sharply. Some fake amulets sell for just five baht each.
A source said the atmosphere at the temple was quiet. Owners of amulet stalls in the temple compound had to sell other products just to survive. Over the past few months, crowds of people from all regions flocked to this temple to buy amulets, which brought quick riches to the makers and retailers. Some company employees quit their jobs to enter the business which yielded handsome profits during the boom.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/13Aug2007_news03.php
During the Jatukarm amulet craze, the temple, where the talismans originated, had been fully booked for rituals, said the abbot. Now only a few amulet makers made requests for his temple to perform rites for new models of the talisman. Previously, the temple received 700-800 requests a month.
The oversupply of amulets including the sale of the fake ones caused prices to drop sharply. Some fake amulets sell for just five baht each.
A source said the atmosphere at the temple was quiet. Owners of amulet stalls in the temple compound had to sell other products just to survive. Over the past few months, crowds of people from all regions flocked to this temple to buy amulets, which brought quick riches to the makers and retailers. Some company employees quit their jobs to enter the business which yielded handsome profits during the boom.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/13Aug2007_news03.php
04 September 2007
Learning political lessons from the runaway Jatukam train
Published on September 5, 2007
Makers of Jatukam Ramathep amulets may be getting a bit too inventive for their own health.
As the multi-billion-baht bubble is about to burst, we could foresee using cosmic dust as a key component in new amulets, as well as making them candy-coloured and conducting blessings at zero gravity. But dead infants' ashes?
Religious authorities initial reaction to this latest Jatukam innovation was predictable: they said there's "nothing illegal" about it. It may not have occurred to these officials, though, that mixing infants' ashes in amulets is not unlawful probably because no lawmakers in the past, here or anywhere else on earth, had anticipated something that bizarre. In other words, just because there's no law prohibiting people from crossing the street on their hands does not necessarily mean you have the right to try it.
The Jatukam phenomenon and Thai politics are giving us great food for thought, with the superstitious craze in Thailand going a long way in explaining our political predicament. Matters sound familiar indeed: first there was a little hype, then it turned into something pervasive, and once the "masses" are hooked, a semblance of legitimacy begins to build. Instead of strengthening principles, this "legitimacy" weakens them.
One may be tempted to think that ardent Jatukam believers are operating on blind faith, but they are not much different from people adoring a politician or political party. In a society that is supposed to value simplicity and modesty but has gone wild with amulets, which its producers boast will deliver unimaginable wealth and invincibility to the wearer, a distorted political system is anything but a surprise.
Anyone who has studied the Jatukam boom closely should be able to write a manual on "How to Win Elections". Go overboard with promises and full-blown marketing efforts because people will love them. And the names of the different types of Jatukam amulets teach us that there ought to be no sense of shame when it comes to bluffing your opponents. After an "Incredibly Rich" model was issued, rival versions popped up including the "Immediately Rich" model, the "Rich Without Reason" model, and the "Exploding Sky Rich" model, to name just a few.
More importantly, only cowards and losers stop at the line. You cross it, back and forth, until it's no longer there. Jatukam makers have managed to get the best of both worlds through this strategy. On one hand, they successfully sell the amulets as spiritual recourse; on the other hand, they tell their customers that being ridiculously rich is life's main purpose. And don't forget to claim credit by saying that you're doing it for the poor, like the producers of the baby ashes model did when they argued that some of the proceeds from the amulets would go to building a crematorium for the destitute.
Once you step over the line, you not only help yourself, but also both your customers and competitors. Putting babies' ashes in amulets in a Buddhist nation may be hardly acceptable initially, but it will only take like two days. If your ends win over the masses, they won't question your means that much. It's even easier for your competition, whose hypocritical side can't wait to rear its head. They will embrace your initiative, but hate you for getting there first.
Once you manage to make everyone believe that dead infants' ashes can be the essence of something spiritual and sacred, everything else is all yours. You can even proclaim that you truly represent the religion. After all, it's "you" who bring millions of people back to the temples like nobody had ever done before. How good will it feel to associate your name with the highest and most valuable doctrine, which you actually smear, and have those who question your means labelled heretics?
Just be careful about the bubble. You will be thriving on a shaky foundation that you yourself undermine. When it crumbles, you may feel like blaming your enemies, who force you to come up with weirder and weirder plans like the baby ashes in order to stay afloat, but remember it's you who crossed the line first. Now you may want to redraw the line, to get back to the principles that you once showed contempt for, but it's already gone forever.
No, making dead babies' ashes a component of amulets for people to worship is not illegal. A lot of your "customers" may still love it and you may argue that some of your competitors have even done nastier things. But the point is Jatukam is big and the bigger they are, the harder they fall. Just because there is no law specifically against it doesn't mean that such a practice cannot bring the whole industry down.
Tulsathit Taptim
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/09/05/opinion/opinion_30047779.php
Makers of Jatukam Ramathep amulets may be getting a bit too inventive for their own health.
As the multi-billion-baht bubble is about to burst, we could foresee using cosmic dust as a key component in new amulets, as well as making them candy-coloured and conducting blessings at zero gravity. But dead infants' ashes?
Religious authorities initial reaction to this latest Jatukam innovation was predictable: they said there's "nothing illegal" about it. It may not have occurred to these officials, though, that mixing infants' ashes in amulets is not unlawful probably because no lawmakers in the past, here or anywhere else on earth, had anticipated something that bizarre. In other words, just because there's no law prohibiting people from crossing the street on their hands does not necessarily mean you have the right to try it.
The Jatukam phenomenon and Thai politics are giving us great food for thought, with the superstitious craze in Thailand going a long way in explaining our political predicament. Matters sound familiar indeed: first there was a little hype, then it turned into something pervasive, and once the "masses" are hooked, a semblance of legitimacy begins to build. Instead of strengthening principles, this "legitimacy" weakens them.
One may be tempted to think that ardent Jatukam believers are operating on blind faith, but they are not much different from people adoring a politician or political party. In a society that is supposed to value simplicity and modesty but has gone wild with amulets, which its producers boast will deliver unimaginable wealth and invincibility to the wearer, a distorted political system is anything but a surprise.
Anyone who has studied the Jatukam boom closely should be able to write a manual on "How to Win Elections". Go overboard with promises and full-blown marketing efforts because people will love them. And the names of the different types of Jatukam amulets teach us that there ought to be no sense of shame when it comes to bluffing your opponents. After an "Incredibly Rich" model was issued, rival versions popped up including the "Immediately Rich" model, the "Rich Without Reason" model, and the "Exploding Sky Rich" model, to name just a few.
More importantly, only cowards and losers stop at the line. You cross it, back and forth, until it's no longer there. Jatukam makers have managed to get the best of both worlds through this strategy. On one hand, they successfully sell the amulets as spiritual recourse; on the other hand, they tell their customers that being ridiculously rich is life's main purpose. And don't forget to claim credit by saying that you're doing it for the poor, like the producers of the baby ashes model did when they argued that some of the proceeds from the amulets would go to building a crematorium for the destitute.
Once you step over the line, you not only help yourself, but also both your customers and competitors. Putting babies' ashes in amulets in a Buddhist nation may be hardly acceptable initially, but it will only take like two days. If your ends win over the masses, they won't question your means that much. It's even easier for your competition, whose hypocritical side can't wait to rear its head. They will embrace your initiative, but hate you for getting there first.
Once you manage to make everyone believe that dead infants' ashes can be the essence of something spiritual and sacred, everything else is all yours. You can even proclaim that you truly represent the religion. After all, it's "you" who bring millions of people back to the temples like nobody had ever done before. How good will it feel to associate your name with the highest and most valuable doctrine, which you actually smear, and have those who question your means labelled heretics?
Just be careful about the bubble. You will be thriving on a shaky foundation that you yourself undermine. When it crumbles, you may feel like blaming your enemies, who force you to come up with weirder and weirder plans like the baby ashes in order to stay afloat, but remember it's you who crossed the line first. Now you may want to redraw the line, to get back to the principles that you once showed contempt for, but it's already gone forever.
No, making dead babies' ashes a component of amulets for people to worship is not illegal. A lot of your "customers" may still love it and you may argue that some of your competitors have even done nastier things. But the point is Jatukam is big and the bigger they are, the harder they fall. Just because there is no law specifically against it doesn't mean that such a practice cannot bring the whole industry down.
Tulsathit Taptim
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/09/05/opinion/opinion_30047779.php
03 September 2007
Cookie shortage: Jatukam T-shirt, anyone?
The overwhelming success in marketing Jatukam cookies as an antidote to amulet fever has resulted in inspired outspoken Buddhist monk Phra Payom Kalyano to extend his production line to Jatukam T-shirts to combat superstition and magical thinking about money with clothing instead of munchies.
Indicating that orders for Jatukam cookies had exceeded his production capacity, Phra Payorm, abbot of Wat Suan Kaew in Bangkok's north suburban province of Nonthaburi, said Tuesday the pure reason behind the distribution of Jatukam cookies was to urge people to stick to good deeds and hold on to the Lord Buddha's teachings.
The cookies were made almost the same shape and design as Jatukarm amulets which have been produced in mass and sold in great volumes. The nationwide marketing of Jatukarm amulets has sparked off criticism among some people who strongly disagreed with what they termed "Buddhist commercialism."
Phra Payorm said a limited collector's edition of 999 Jatukam T-shirts will be produced and sold for 180 baht each. The front of the T-shirt is printed with a Jatukam logo and carries a short statement encouraging people to work hard and save money.
Wearing the Jatukam T-shirt is almost equivalent to possessing the Lord Buddha's teachings, according to the renowned abbot. He did not deny that the sale of the T-shirt was more or less "Buddhist commercialism" but he asserted that the "revenue from the sales will go to help the poor and develop temples." (TNA)
the Nation
Indicating that orders for Jatukam cookies had exceeded his production capacity, Phra Payorm, abbot of Wat Suan Kaew in Bangkok's north suburban province of Nonthaburi, said Tuesday the pure reason behind the distribution of Jatukam cookies was to urge people to stick to good deeds and hold on to the Lord Buddha's teachings.
The cookies were made almost the same shape and design as Jatukarm amulets which have been produced in mass and sold in great volumes. The nationwide marketing of Jatukarm amulets has sparked off criticism among some people who strongly disagreed with what they termed "Buddhist commercialism."
Phra Payorm said a limited collector's edition of 999 Jatukam T-shirts will be produced and sold for 180 baht each. The front of the T-shirt is printed with a Jatukam logo and carries a short statement encouraging people to work hard and save money.
Wearing the Jatukam T-shirt is almost equivalent to possessing the Lord Buddha's teachings, according to the renowned abbot. He did not deny that the sale of the T-shirt was more or less "Buddhist commercialism" but he asserted that the "revenue from the sales will go to help the poor and develop temples." (TNA)
the Nation
01 September 2007
A wing and a prayer for Jatukham craze
The Jatukham Rammathep craze has literally gone sky-high. The Royal Thai Air Force took some much-sought-after amulets on routine flights on F-16 and F-5 fighters in the hope of boosting their supernatural powers and market value.
Air Chief Marshal Paisal Sitabutr, the Air Force's deputy commander, could not explain the logic behind his reasoning but maintained the jets' supersonic speed would quicken one's good fortune, protection and prosperity. The unprecedented height would make the amulets stand out above the rest, literally and figuratively. Moreover, Paisal told The Nation yesterday, the fact that such a "dignified" institution as the Air Force was behind the making of this series of amulets would boost its reputation and sales.
On Monday, the Air Force organised incantation rites for its amulets in Prachuab Khiri Khan. Paisal said the Air Force decided to join the Jatukham Rammathep fever because it wanted to collect huge sums of money for renovation of Wat Mahathat in Bangkok and the twin pagodas, Phra Mahathat Napha Methanidon and Phra Mahathat Naphaphon Phumisiri, on Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai. The renovation projects costing about Bt100 million are to commemorate the 80th birthday of His Majesty the King in December, he said. "During these days, what else can be done to generate huge money better than Jatukham?" he said. [Indeed!] Paisal saw nothing wrong in the Air Force generating money by producing amulets and using the fighter jets in the incantation. "We have fighters that fly regularly. We just asked the pilots to take the materials [to produce the amulets] with them. We did not hold any special flights for this thing," he said.
The Air Force's action bemused respected archaeologist Srisakara Vallibhotama. "Why didn't they take them up to Mars?" he asked sarcastically. Srisakara questioned the attitude of the Air Force, which is a security-related institution, towards the Jatukham hype and said the process by which these amulets were created lacked moral authority. "You are doing something against nature. How can things produced by an unnatural process contain Dharma of the Buddha, as Dharma means nature?" he asked.
Since last year, Jatukham fever has spread throughout the country, grabbing the attention of celebrities, politicians and ordinary people. The Kasikorn Research Centre estimated that from late last year more than Bt20 billion had been generated by the Jatukham craze. The Revenue Department was considering whether to tax enterprises related to the soaring sales of Jatukham items. The Air Force's incantation rites took place just a few days after the outspoken abbot of Wat Suan Kaew in Nonthaburi, Phra Payom Kalayano, one of the country's most revered Buddhist monks, launched an edible Jatukham cookie to mock the craze for the popular talisman.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/20/headlines/headlines_30037352.php
Air Chief Marshal Paisal Sitabutr, the Air Force's deputy commander, could not explain the logic behind his reasoning but maintained the jets' supersonic speed would quicken one's good fortune, protection and prosperity. The unprecedented height would make the amulets stand out above the rest, literally and figuratively. Moreover, Paisal told The Nation yesterday, the fact that such a "dignified" institution as the Air Force was behind the making of this series of amulets would boost its reputation and sales.
On Monday, the Air Force organised incantation rites for its amulets in Prachuab Khiri Khan. Paisal said the Air Force decided to join the Jatukham Rammathep fever because it wanted to collect huge sums of money for renovation of Wat Mahathat in Bangkok and the twin pagodas, Phra Mahathat Napha Methanidon and Phra Mahathat Naphaphon Phumisiri, on Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai. The renovation projects costing about Bt100 million are to commemorate the 80th birthday of His Majesty the King in December, he said. "During these days, what else can be done to generate huge money better than Jatukham?" he said. [Indeed!] Paisal saw nothing wrong in the Air Force generating money by producing amulets and using the fighter jets in the incantation. "We have fighters that fly regularly. We just asked the pilots to take the materials [to produce the amulets] with them. We did not hold any special flights for this thing," he said.
The Air Force's action bemused respected archaeologist Srisakara Vallibhotama. "Why didn't they take them up to Mars?" he asked sarcastically. Srisakara questioned the attitude of the Air Force, which is a security-related institution, towards the Jatukham hype and said the process by which these amulets were created lacked moral authority. "You are doing something against nature. How can things produced by an unnatural process contain Dharma of the Buddha, as Dharma means nature?" he asked.
Since last year, Jatukham fever has spread throughout the country, grabbing the attention of celebrities, politicians and ordinary people. The Kasikorn Research Centre estimated that from late last year more than Bt20 billion had been generated by the Jatukham craze. The Revenue Department was considering whether to tax enterprises related to the soaring sales of Jatukham items. The Air Force's incantation rites took place just a few days after the outspoken abbot of Wat Suan Kaew in Nonthaburi, Phra Payom Kalayano, one of the country's most revered Buddhist monks, launched an edible Jatukham cookie to mock the craze for the popular talisman.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/20/headlines/headlines_30037352.php
31 August 2007
More suits loom over amulets
Two more people involved in allegedly fake production of a Jatukham Rammathep amulet are set to face fraud charges, a lawyer representing a group of dissatisfied buyers said yesterday.
Chor Chuaphen Phetphasit said the two had been targeted after another three customers sought to get their money back after receiving amulets different from what they were shown on advertisements.
A group of 15 people filed lawsuits against six people on Monday for their role in production of a large number of "Ruay Lon Fa" amulets, which claimed to have been approved by the provincial court in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
But the court never gave such permission and is suing them for using its name.
The lawyer Chor said he may file a new criminal suit against the two unidentified people today.
Both lawsuits have also demanded around Bt5 million be returned to the plaintiffs, who made payments to reserve the "Ruay Lon Fa" model.
Chor said some of the six defendants in the first lawsuit had contacted him to negotiate certain terms, including returning money to the plaintiffs, in return for withdrawal of the lawsuit.
Lawan Wetchasarn, a senior official with the provincial hall, said the amulets were actually silver-coated but the advertising said they were made entirely of silver.
She said she had received three other complaints over the Jatukham Rammathep amulets, but had ordered only one to be investigated.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/23/regional/regional_30046172.php
Chor Chuaphen Phetphasit said the two had been targeted after another three customers sought to get their money back after receiving amulets different from what they were shown on advertisements.
A group of 15 people filed lawsuits against six people on Monday for their role in production of a large number of "Ruay Lon Fa" amulets, which claimed to have been approved by the provincial court in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
But the court never gave such permission and is suing them for using its name.
The lawyer Chor said he may file a new criminal suit against the two unidentified people today.
Both lawsuits have also demanded around Bt5 million be returned to the plaintiffs, who made payments to reserve the "Ruay Lon Fa" model.
Chor said some of the six defendants in the first lawsuit had contacted him to negotiate certain terms, including returning money to the plaintiffs, in return for withdrawal of the lawsuit.
Lawan Wetchasarn, a senior official with the provincial hall, said the amulets were actually silver-coated but the advertising said they were made entirely of silver.
She said she had received three other complaints over the Jatukham Rammathep amulets, but had ordered only one to be investigated.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/23/regional/regional_30046172.php
30 August 2007
Experts fear Jatukham fever may endanger dugongs
PHUKET (Gazette/Kom Chad Luek): Conservation experts fear that fierce competition in the promotion of Jatukham Ramathep amulets may have sparked renewed interesting in the hunting of dugong, whose teardrops are believed by some to have magical powers.
Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) biologist Kanjana Adulyankosol told the Gazette that fears stemmed from promotional material used by one Jatukham seller coupled with the February 14 discovery of a dead baby dugong with unexplained trauma to the eyes.
“There is a belief that dugong teardrops possess special powers because mother dugong are known to become obsessed when searching for their lost young,” she said.
“Dugong are easy for people to hunt down, and the method used to extract the teardrops is extremely cruel. It involves removing the animal from the water, waiting for the eyes to dry up and then hitting the tear ducts to induce tears,” she said.
The amount of tear liquid that can be extracted in this way is very limited, she added.
K. Kanjana said that the carcass of the baby dugong was found in Phang Nga Bay.
“It had a wound from a sharp object on its left eye and the cornea in right eye was missing, but we don’t know for sure what the cause was,” she said.
“I don’t know whether the sales pitch used to promote the amulets is true or not, but if it is, it is absolutely illegal,” she added.
“There are only about 250 dugong left in Thai waters. Sale of their body parts, including tusks or other tissues, is completely prohibited,” said K. Kanjana, who has undertaken several population estimates of the population from a two-seat microlight aircraft.
K. Kanjana estimated said the annual death rate in the population is relatively stable at around 10 animals annually, but that even a small rise in that rate could quickly push the local population towards extinction because of the dugong’s slow breeding rate.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Kasem Sanitwong na Ayuthaya said anyone caught hunting dugong or whales for use in amulet production would face prosecution to the fullest extent possible under the law.
Whale blubber is another material that has been advertised in promotions for some series of the Jatukham talisman.
Nisakorn Kositrat, Director General of the Marine and Coastal Resources Department, said his agency was being particularly vigilant in investigating any reports of dead dugong, especially in Trang province, home to about half of the known population in Thai waters.
He asked for cooperation from local organizations to prevent hunting of dugong, the local population of which is listed as “vulnerable to extinction if trade in them is not halted” under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
http://www.phuketgazette.com/news/index.asp?id=5868
Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) biologist Kanjana Adulyankosol told the Gazette that fears stemmed from promotional material used by one Jatukham seller coupled with the February 14 discovery of a dead baby dugong with unexplained trauma to the eyes.
“There is a belief that dugong teardrops possess special powers because mother dugong are known to become obsessed when searching for their lost young,” she said.
“Dugong are easy for people to hunt down, and the method used to extract the teardrops is extremely cruel. It involves removing the animal from the water, waiting for the eyes to dry up and then hitting the tear ducts to induce tears,” she said.
The amount of tear liquid that can be extracted in this way is very limited, she added.
K. Kanjana said that the carcass of the baby dugong was found in Phang Nga Bay.
“It had a wound from a sharp object on its left eye and the cornea in right eye was missing, but we don’t know for sure what the cause was,” she said.
“I don’t know whether the sales pitch used to promote the amulets is true or not, but if it is, it is absolutely illegal,” she added.
“There are only about 250 dugong left in Thai waters. Sale of their body parts, including tusks or other tissues, is completely prohibited,” said K. Kanjana, who has undertaken several population estimates of the population from a two-seat microlight aircraft.
K. Kanjana estimated said the annual death rate in the population is relatively stable at around 10 animals annually, but that even a small rise in that rate could quickly push the local population towards extinction because of the dugong’s slow breeding rate.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Kasem Sanitwong na Ayuthaya said anyone caught hunting dugong or whales for use in amulet production would face prosecution to the fullest extent possible under the law.
Whale blubber is another material that has been advertised in promotions for some series of the Jatukham talisman.
Nisakorn Kositrat, Director General of the Marine and Coastal Resources Department, said his agency was being particularly vigilant in investigating any reports of dead dugong, especially in Trang province, home to about half of the known population in Thai waters.
He asked for cooperation from local organizations to prevent hunting of dugong, the local population of which is listed as “vulnerable to extinction if trade in them is not halted” under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
http://www.phuketgazette.com/news/index.asp?id=5868
29 August 2007
Losing its charm
The bottom seems at last to have fallen out of the Jatukam market
Demand for Jatukam Ramathep amulets will taper off next year and sales ease to about Bt10 billion, just a quarter of what has been quoted for 2007.
The Jatukam Ramathep bubble may have burst, but it was a craze that ran hot for more than seven years.
In 2000, the combined market value of the amulets, perceived to be sacred, especially if they are anointed at Wat Phramahathat Worrawiharn in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, was around Bt5 billion.
According to Kasikorn Research Centre, the market doubled every two to three years, rising to an estimated Bt10 billion in 2003 and Bt20 billion in 2005.
The sales figure being tossed about for this year is a whopping Bt40 billion.
Now that could be history, and another boom is unlikely any time soon, according to those knowledgeable about auspicious objects.
The reversal of fortune can be attributed to overheated demand forcing up prices. Jatukam Ramathep amulets skyrocketed from just Bt50-Bt100 each to more than Bt2,000 for an "average" example.
In addition, the boom led to mass production of sub-standard amulets. There was frenzied speculation for quick profits, too.
Bang Lamphu amulet-trader Thep, who asked that his family name be withheld, said the boom was "really incredible".
"You only needed a tiny shop here to make tens of thousands of baht a day. The place was overcrowded most of the time.
"Now that's a thing of the past. Today less than 10 customers a day visit a big Jatukam shop. Making money is difficult."
And you can pick up an amulet over the Internet for as little as Bt5. That is a market collapse.
Kasikorn researcher Phaka-on Thipayadecha said the popularity had died.
"The bubble has burst. Demand for amulets is returning to normal, with only those who really have faith wanting them," she said.
The Jatukam Ramathep charms were created at Wat Phramahathat to pay respect to Nakhon Si Thammarat's guardian god and former ruler. The province was at the centre of the former Srivichai kingdom. Jatukam Ramathep was the name of one of its kings.
Former police officer Phantharak Ratchadej created the first amulets.
They started to gain in popularity after tales of miracles spread by word of mouth and Buddhist-amulet magazines.
"It's difficult to explain scientifically, but miracles did happen. People with the amulets survived accidents and murder attempts.
"I personally believe only in Jatukam Ramathep objects," explained Ton, a fourth-year Thammasat University student.
Their fame reached a peak on July 5, 2006 at the funeral of Phantharak. He died aged 108. More than 100,000 believers attended his funeral.
Deep faith could have been behind the feverish demand, but shrewd marketing helped too.
"With Jatukam, we are talking about faith and auspicious objects on the one hand and business and marketing on the other. Look carefully. The four Ps of marketing are all there: product, price, place and promotion," explained Wattanachai Yaninthorn of marketing magazine Positioning.
"As a product, Jatukam was of the highest quality in terms of historic, spiritual and other values. The key messages were very attractive too: helping people get rich and protecting them from evil.
"In price there was a lot of choice, starting at less than Bt100 to over Bt1 million. In place, it was simple to hire tiny stalls in a busy market or a department store from which to sell them.
"In promotion, ads abounded prior to the Jatukam peak, and makers and the Buddhist-amulet media joined forces to spur demand," he explained.
Phaka-on said amulets were now in recession due to sub-standard production and declining faith among buyers.
"This is no surprise, since what we saw this year and last was in no way sustainable. Things moved at very high speed.
"Businesswise, the boom drew many people into the trade, most of whom were new. Then there was a shortage of craftsmen making new series. Now there are sub-standard products. Many buyers have complained about this," she said.
Kasikorn forecast the market would top Bt40 billion this year. Next year it predicts a sharp fall. "But we cannot say for sure by how much," said Phaka-on.
She forecast demand would return to "a more reasonable level, around Bt10 billion a year".
Only real believers will buy, and only competent craftsmen will make them, she said.
Meanwhile, respected monks warn that the amulets are un-Buddhist. Phaka-on said the warnings were unlikely to have a long-term effect on sales because of people's obsession with amulets and auspicious objects.
She is more concerned about consumers being protected from poorly made charms.
Kamol Sukin
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/26/headlines/headlines_30046522.php
Demand for Jatukam Ramathep amulets will taper off next year and sales ease to about Bt10 billion, just a quarter of what has been quoted for 2007.
The Jatukam Ramathep bubble may have burst, but it was a craze that ran hot for more than seven years.
In 2000, the combined market value of the amulets, perceived to be sacred, especially if they are anointed at Wat Phramahathat Worrawiharn in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, was around Bt5 billion.
According to Kasikorn Research Centre, the market doubled every two to three years, rising to an estimated Bt10 billion in 2003 and Bt20 billion in 2005.
The sales figure being tossed about for this year is a whopping Bt40 billion.
Now that could be history, and another boom is unlikely any time soon, according to those knowledgeable about auspicious objects.
The reversal of fortune can be attributed to overheated demand forcing up prices. Jatukam Ramathep amulets skyrocketed from just Bt50-Bt100 each to more than Bt2,000 for an "average" example.
In addition, the boom led to mass production of sub-standard amulets. There was frenzied speculation for quick profits, too.
Bang Lamphu amulet-trader Thep, who asked that his family name be withheld, said the boom was "really incredible".
"You only needed a tiny shop here to make tens of thousands of baht a day. The place was overcrowded most of the time.
"Now that's a thing of the past. Today less than 10 customers a day visit a big Jatukam shop. Making money is difficult."
And you can pick up an amulet over the Internet for as little as Bt5. That is a market collapse.
Kasikorn researcher Phaka-on Thipayadecha said the popularity had died.
"The bubble has burst. Demand for amulets is returning to normal, with only those who really have faith wanting them," she said.
The Jatukam Ramathep charms were created at Wat Phramahathat to pay respect to Nakhon Si Thammarat's guardian god and former ruler. The province was at the centre of the former Srivichai kingdom. Jatukam Ramathep was the name of one of its kings.
Former police officer Phantharak Ratchadej created the first amulets.
They started to gain in popularity after tales of miracles spread by word of mouth and Buddhist-amulet magazines.
"It's difficult to explain scientifically, but miracles did happen. People with the amulets survived accidents and murder attempts.
"I personally believe only in Jatukam Ramathep objects," explained Ton, a fourth-year Thammasat University student.
Their fame reached a peak on July 5, 2006 at the funeral of Phantharak. He died aged 108. More than 100,000 believers attended his funeral.
Deep faith could have been behind the feverish demand, but shrewd marketing helped too.
"With Jatukam, we are talking about faith and auspicious objects on the one hand and business and marketing on the other. Look carefully. The four Ps of marketing are all there: product, price, place and promotion," explained Wattanachai Yaninthorn of marketing magazine Positioning.
"As a product, Jatukam was of the highest quality in terms of historic, spiritual and other values. The key messages were very attractive too: helping people get rich and protecting them from evil.
"In price there was a lot of choice, starting at less than Bt100 to over Bt1 million. In place, it was simple to hire tiny stalls in a busy market or a department store from which to sell them.
"In promotion, ads abounded prior to the Jatukam peak, and makers and the Buddhist-amulet media joined forces to spur demand," he explained.
Phaka-on said amulets were now in recession due to sub-standard production and declining faith among buyers.
"This is no surprise, since what we saw this year and last was in no way sustainable. Things moved at very high speed.
"Businesswise, the boom drew many people into the trade, most of whom were new. Then there was a shortage of craftsmen making new series. Now there are sub-standard products. Many buyers have complained about this," she said.
Kasikorn forecast the market would top Bt40 billion this year. Next year it predicts a sharp fall. "But we cannot say for sure by how much," said Phaka-on.
She forecast demand would return to "a more reasonable level, around Bt10 billion a year".
Only real believers will buy, and only competent craftsmen will make them, she said.
Meanwhile, respected monks warn that the amulets are un-Buddhist. Phaka-on said the warnings were unlikely to have a long-term effect on sales because of people's obsession with amulets and auspicious objects.
She is more concerned about consumers being protected from poorly made charms.
Kamol Sukin
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/26/headlines/headlines_30046522.php
28 August 2007
Jatukarm amulets good news for papers
WORANUJ MANEERUNGSEE
The Jatukarm Ramathep craze has brought good fortune to the country's newspapers, which recorded 10.47% growth in advertising spending in July due almost entirely to the amulets. The results for newspapers were among the few bright spots for the ad industry, which recorded total spending growth of just 1.93% in July and a decline of 0.04% year-on-year for the first seven months, said Nielsen Media Research.
Under spending by brand, Nielsen lists ''Wat-Thu-Mong-Kol'' or ''sacred objects'' as having spent 111.54 million baht on advertising in July _ 14 times more than was spent in July last year. For the first seven months of the year, the category accounted for 465.78 million baht, against 69.35 million a year earlier.
The only brand that spent more was Pond's facial skin-care products, at 478.52 million baht. Trailing the amulets were traditional heavyweights including Oil of Olay, Coke, M-150 energy drinks, Toyota, DTAC, AIS, Breeze detergent and Colgate toothpaste.
Mass-market Thai-language papers received the lion's share of the amulet ads but the party appears to be over. The law of supply and demand has caught up with the amulets and their prices have fallen like a stone. Some can now be had for five baht each or even bought in bulk.
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/archive/index.php/t-2296.html
The Jatukarm Ramathep craze has brought good fortune to the country's newspapers, which recorded 10.47% growth in advertising spending in July due almost entirely to the amulets. The results for newspapers were among the few bright spots for the ad industry, which recorded total spending growth of just 1.93% in July and a decline of 0.04% year-on-year for the first seven months, said Nielsen Media Research.
Under spending by brand, Nielsen lists ''Wat-Thu-Mong-Kol'' or ''sacred objects'' as having spent 111.54 million baht on advertising in July _ 14 times more than was spent in July last year. For the first seven months of the year, the category accounted for 465.78 million baht, against 69.35 million a year earlier.
The only brand that spent more was Pond's facial skin-care products, at 478.52 million baht. Trailing the amulets were traditional heavyweights including Oil of Olay, Coke, M-150 energy drinks, Toyota, DTAC, AIS, Breeze detergent and Colgate toothpaste.
Mass-market Thai-language papers received the lion's share of the amulet ads but the party appears to be over. The law of supply and demand has caught up with the amulets and their prices have fallen like a stone. Some can now be had for five baht each or even bought in bulk.
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/archive/index.php/t-2296.html
27 August 2007
Powerful Wealth Amulet
Can this amulet make you rich ? Millions of people believe so.
The Jatukham Rammathep amulet is believed by millions Thais and to some extent Malaysians and Singaporeans, to bring wealth to its possessor.
It is reported in the Thai press that during the unprecedented Jatukarm amulet craze just a few months ago, the temple where the talismans originated, had been fully booked for rituals. Now, only a few amulet makers made requests for the temple to perform rites for new models of the talisman. Previously, the temple received nearly a thousand requests a month but now it seems very quiet.
With the craze now being over and the oversupply of amulets for the last few months, including the sale of the fake ones, has caused prices to drop sharply.
Thailand is known as the largest market for amulets. Each year several classes and types of amulets are produced and commercialised by numerous producers and investors, most of whom have links with famous monks and masters of meditation.
Whenever there is a demand for something, even if it is something considered "spiritual", there will always be willing suppliers. First, demand will exceed supply and the price will be high. Then eventually supply will exceed demand and the price will start to drop.
As with anything in life, the law of supply and demand reigns supreme. Remember the Flower Horn fish craze a few years ago ? Mature fish had an average selling price of RM250 each. After the craze, people were releasing their Flower Horns into public lakes or giving them away, for free.
By KEE HUA CHEE
Aside from ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the other hot topic on the Thai people’s lips is Jatukarm, a highly sought-after talisman said to be driving the Thai economy.
I had never heard of the Jatukarm until I visited Thailand last month. Immediately I was bombarded with newspaper articles and TV stories of the Jatukarm craze. It seems all of Thailand is in its grip.
I’m told even academics in universities are writing theses on it.
So who or what is this Jatukarm?
Jatukarm Ramathep is a god associated with wealth, success and happiness. People who wear a Jatukarm talisman believe the deity will help grant their wishes. According to a friend, Krichsakol Khemamnat from Finansa Securities, Jatukarm was an 8th century king.
“He ruled over Nakorn Si Thammarat. When he died, many who worshipped him had their wishes granted. But he was only a secondary deity and not particularly revered. Even I had not really heard of Jatukarm. Jatukarm was not famous until last year when the craze started.
“We believe this is the era of Jatukarm, as he has entered the charts. As this is his golden period, he is now very, very powerful so we are all trying to grab some of his power!” Khemamnat explained.
He likened the ascendancy of Jatukarm to the Chinese animal cycle.
“We are now in the Year of the Pig, so the Boar has more power than the Dog or Horse. Likewise, this is the Year of Jatukarm! Er, actually we don’t know how long this will last but it usually lasts a few years before interest wanes.”
Most Buddhists see no harm in improving their odds in life with a Jatukarm charm, since the cheapest, “entry-level” clay amulet only costs RM3. All the popular malls sell them. Just keep an eye out for any place with heightened activity. If there is a small crowd huddling around a counter, chances are Jatukarm amulets are being sold!
Having succumbed to the craze, I bought not one, not two, but five talismans.
I paid RM200 for my jade Jatukarm at Chatuchak Market. My two flashiest Jatukarms are embellished with Swarovski crystals and cost RM350 each. They have been mistaken for rapper’s medallions or a piece of hip-hop accessory. A particularly lovely golden-hued version set me back only RM40.
The most expensive is from the original Jatukarm Temple in Nakon Si Thammarat. It came in a plastic box with the name of the temple: Wat Phra Mahatat. I was told not to throw the plastic container away for it was proof the amulet was from the temple.
I paid RM550 for this amulet at the Areewan Jewellery Shop in MBK (Mah Bung Krung) Shopping Centre. When I protested that it was scandalously expensive, owner Areewan said indignantly: “We cannot make a profit from the gods. Your Jatukarm comes from the original Jatukarm temple in Nakorn Si Thammarat, and I only make a little money from the gold and ruby locket. I sell you the pendant for the same price I paid the temple. I not make money from Jatukarm!”
Every Thai I met had a Jatukarm – from taxi drivers to the immigration officer who whipped one out of his shirt pocket when he saw mine. The bellboy at swanky Legua Hotel told me his tips had increased dramatically after he started praying to the deity!
Nakorn Veerapravati, president of the Bangkok Critics Assembly and a wealthy businessman, was kind enough to fill me in on Jatukarm Ramathep’s background.
Nakorn Veerapravati believes that the Jatukarm does bring luck.
The guardian angel(s)
“As far as I know,” Veerapravati began, “Jatukarm is the name of a guardian angel, and Ramathep is the name of another. This pair protected the stupa of Wat Phra Mahatat. I don’t know why Ramathep is not worshipped like Jatukarm, but since the name includes both, I guess we are paying homage to both.”
The story has it that 30 years ago, a policeman (or general or monk or layman, depending on who you ask) commissioned the temple to make 300 Jatukarm amulets, and these he gave away as thanksgiving presents for a wish fulfilled. Made of clay, each cost him just a few ringgit but is now worth a small fortune.
“These 300 original amulets are the most sought after! People go mad searching for them. These originals have the most power, and it is said they grant one’s wish within the hour.
“Last year, the newspapers reported that each one costs 500,000 baht (RM50,000). One was sold two weeks ago for 1.2mil baht (RM120,000). A millionaire bought one from the family who gave the originals away for 2mil baht (RM200,000).”
Last year, when his mother fell ill, Veerapravati rang a friend in Nakorn Si Thammarat to buy a Jatukarm amulet and have it delivered to him in Bangkok.
“My friend then told me something which almost gave me a heart attack: he said why should he bother doing that when I already had an original Jatukarm from the temple! He reminded me that he gave me one of the original 300 Jatukarms 17 years ago as a good luck gift when I left Nakorn Si Thammarat for Bangkok.
“Of course, back then it probably cost him only 80 baht (RM8)!
“I dropped my handphone in shock and joy. I rushed home and dust flew as I searched the cupboards and drawers for it. We Thais never throw amulets away, so I knew it was somewhere although I only wore it during my first year in Bangkok and hadn’t seen it in 17 years.
“Finally, to my relief, I found it in a drawer!”
Like David Copperfield, Veerapravati slowly and tantalisingly pulled out the precious Jatukarm from under his shirt to show me. His Jatukarm looked ordinary enough, being made from earth and clay with the embossed image of Jatukarm.
As with all collectibles, there are specialists in Bangkok who say they can verify the authenticity of such 30-year-old amulets.
“I had mine checked and the specialist said he didn’t even need a loupe, magnifying glass or scientific instrument to know that it was in perfect condition. It was hardly worn and never exposed to the sun.”
Alas, Veerapravati’s mother died anyway, though she regained her health briefly and was coherent enough to enjoy her last few months. She told her son she dreamt an angel told her that it was time for her to go since she was meant to be reborn soon.
At her funeral in Nakorn Si Thammarat, Veerapravati commissioned 1,000 Jatukarm talismans to be given away free. Word spread and there was a veritable stampede as 5,000 people queued up for his gift. The police had to be called in to restore order. He was told never to attempt this again.
According to some, this overnight craze started last year when King Bhumibol Adulyadej emerged from hospital following a successful treatment. On His Majesty’s neck, it was said, was a Jatukarm pendant.
The small pendant was assumed to be that of the Buddha but when a picture of it was magnified, it proved to be a Jatukarm. The Jatukarm juggernaut snowballed after that. Stories of its miraculous powers abound. Tales have been told of car crashes where people who wore the pendants survived whereas those who didn’t, died.
So far, sales of the amulets have topped a staggering 20bil baht (RM2bil) from an estimated 600,000 amulets produced so far. Jatukarm sales are said to have pushed up the Thai economy by nearly 0.5%!
Factories producing Jatukarms normally approach the temple in Nakorn Si Thammarat and pay anything from RM1mil to RM2mil for the rights to use the temple’s name.
Does the Jatukarm work?
Armed with my five Jatukarm, I managed to get an airport limousine for 1,000 baht, instead of the usual 2,000 baht. Upon reaching Suvanabhumi Airport, I discovered the airport tax had been done away with, thus saving me RM50! At KLIA, somebody gave me a ride home, thus saving me RM70.
In my letterbox, I found a cheque for RM980. Then out of the blue, a friend rang to offer me a 6ft tall, wooden Buddha statue I was admiring at his home two months back! He even delivered it to my condo the next day! A few days later, a friend sent over a juicer I was so taken with at her home?
Hmmm, maybe there really is something to this Jatukarm craze.
http://themalaysianlife.blogspot.com/2007/08/powerful-wealth-amulet.html
24 August 2007
Patriarch ends role in amulets
His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch will no longer provide materials from his temple, such as ash from incense or powder from bricks, to make the amulets that have sparked a crime wave in Nakhon Si Thammarat, it was announced yesterday.
Jatukham Rammathep amulets, which are believed to have magical powers and cost up to Bt600,000 apiece, can only be made with the permission of the southern province's Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawiharn.
The Supreme Patriarch has provided materials to produce amulets to all temples and individuals that request them but will now stop doing so, the office of his secretary announced yesterday. It did not say why.
However, a source said the announcement was made after revered monk Luang Ta Bua of Wat Pa Ban Tad blessed the Supreme Patriarch to mark his 18th anniversary as head of the country's Buddhists, at Chulalongkorn Hospital yesterday.
Interest in the amulets began in the middle of last year and hit fever pitch this year. Earlier this month a woman was crushed to death when thousands of people rushed into a school in Nakhon Si Thammarat to buy coupons they could exchange for the amulets.
The amulets have become the main target of thieves in Nakhon Si Thammarat, said Colonel Yanaphat Norasing, superintendent of the police in the province's Muang district.
Amulet robberies occur daily, local residents say. Yesterday, 30 amulets worth Bt15,000 were stolen from the residence of Phra Palad Nikom Kamalo, abbot of Wat Nam Song in Muang district.
Recently, a thief broke through the ceiling of an amulet stall in the province and made off with more than Bt200,000 worth of Jatukham Ramathep amulets.
Monks from the province welcomed the Supreme Patriarch's announcement. They said they were concerned the materials he provided were being used to boost the prices of the amulets.
As demand for the amulets sparked surging prices, many Buddhists became concerned that Buddhism was being turned into a commodity. The Supreme Patriarch's announcement was welcomed as it would protect him from being sullied by those seeking to trade on his position for financial gain, said a monk involved in the incantation rites for Jatukham Rammathep amulets.
"Some amulet sellers used photos of the Supreme Patriarch giving them materials [for amulets] to boost sales," he said.
Incantation rites for the amulets can only be performed at Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawiharn. Its abbot has said incantations for more than 30 editions of the amulets have been performed at the temple so far this year. Amulet makers from across the country have set up shop at the temple.
Although welcome, the Supreme patriarch's announcement would not lessen demand for Jatukham Rammathep amulets, a monk said.
Amulet makers have been competing to come up with new and strange materials, he said.
On Saturday night, thousands of people gathered at Wat Muang Talord and Wat Ta Chang because they heard rumours that the temples were being used to store the popular Ngern Lai Ma edition of the amulets.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/23/national/national_30032451.php
Jatukham Rammathep amulets, which are believed to have magical powers and cost up to Bt600,000 apiece, can only be made with the permission of the southern province's Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawiharn.
The Supreme Patriarch has provided materials to produce amulets to all temples and individuals that request them but will now stop doing so, the office of his secretary announced yesterday. It did not say why.
However, a source said the announcement was made after revered monk Luang Ta Bua of Wat Pa Ban Tad blessed the Supreme Patriarch to mark his 18th anniversary as head of the country's Buddhists, at Chulalongkorn Hospital yesterday.
Interest in the amulets began in the middle of last year and hit fever pitch this year. Earlier this month a woman was crushed to death when thousands of people rushed into a school in Nakhon Si Thammarat to buy coupons they could exchange for the amulets.
The amulets have become the main target of thieves in Nakhon Si Thammarat, said Colonel Yanaphat Norasing, superintendent of the police in the province's Muang district.
Amulet robberies occur daily, local residents say. Yesterday, 30 amulets worth Bt15,000 were stolen from the residence of Phra Palad Nikom Kamalo, abbot of Wat Nam Song in Muang district.
Recently, a thief broke through the ceiling of an amulet stall in the province and made off with more than Bt200,000 worth of Jatukham Ramathep amulets.
Monks from the province welcomed the Supreme Patriarch's announcement. They said they were concerned the materials he provided were being used to boost the prices of the amulets.
As demand for the amulets sparked surging prices, many Buddhists became concerned that Buddhism was being turned into a commodity. The Supreme Patriarch's announcement was welcomed as it would protect him from being sullied by those seeking to trade on his position for financial gain, said a monk involved in the incantation rites for Jatukham Rammathep amulets.
"Some amulet sellers used photos of the Supreme Patriarch giving them materials [for amulets] to boost sales," he said.
Incantation rites for the amulets can only be performed at Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawiharn. Its abbot has said incantations for more than 30 editions of the amulets have been performed at the temple so far this year. Amulet makers from across the country have set up shop at the temple.
Although welcome, the Supreme patriarch's announcement would not lessen demand for Jatukham Rammathep amulets, a monk said.
Amulet makers have been competing to come up with new and strange materials, he said.
On Saturday night, thousands of people gathered at Wat Muang Talord and Wat Ta Chang because they heard rumours that the temples were being used to store the popular Ngern Lai Ma edition of the amulets.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/23/national/national_30032451.php
22 August 2007
Jatukham fever shows no sign of breaking
Panya Ruengsawang (left), owner of a Jatukham amulet shop in Phuket City, discusses amulets with a customer.
PHUKET City: Jatukham Ramathep amulets and shops that sell them seem to be springing up all over Phuket, reflecting the hope that springs eternal among their devotees.
The amulets, priced from 50 baht to several hundred thousand baht, have become the latest craze – not just in Phuket but across the country and even abroad.
Nationwide, the business was estimated to be worth 20 billion baht in 2006, according to research by Kasikorn Research Center.
Shops selling the Jatukham amulets have been operating in Phuket for more than a decade, but it is only in the past several months that the number and visibility of these shops has skyrocketed, following a spate of media reports about the amulets.
In the past two or three months alone, between 10 and 20 new amulet shops and stalls have opened across Phuket, said Panya Ruengsawang, owner of one of the oldest Jatukham shops in Phuket City, on Rassada Rd near the Suriyadet Circle.
He estimates that about one million baht exchanges hands every day in Phuket’s Jatukham trade.
“When I started my shop in 1993 there were no more than three amulet shops in Phuket to serve amulet lovers. However, in the past year Phuket has seen at least 10 new shops. During the most recent Jatukham boom over the past two or three months, another 10 to 20 amulet shops have opened,” said K. Panya, 55.
Originally from Nakhon Sri Thammarat, the amulets are believed to bring good luck and business prosperity, which is why younger people and business owners are buying them, K. Panya said.
“It used to be that our customers were mostly older folks, but now we have more working men and women, along with teenagers, buying amulets. The local interest in Jatukham amulets has definitely been brought on by the national craze,” he said.
“We also have a lot of international business owners who want to take the Jatukham amulets home with them, so they are buying amulets as well. The prices are going up so quickly that sometimes I reserve a top amulet for about 100,000 baht, but before I can even put it in the customers hands the price goes up to 300,000 baht.
“The most sought-after type of Jatukham are of the original Jatukham Hluk Mueng series, produced at Wat Mahatat in 1987. Prices for these generally start at 400,000 to 500,000 per amulet because they are so difficult to find now. The Jatukham Kod Sed Thee (Megarich) is also very popular, especially in Singapore and neighboring countries. Those can fetch between 60,000 and 80,000 baht each.”
The boom in amulet shops in Phuket is helping K Panya’s shop. Although there are fewer customers, they are buying more expensive amulets.
“I don’t have as many customers as I used to because there are so many shops to choose from now,” he said. “I used to turn a profit of 800 to 2,000 baht per day, but since the Jatukham boom started three months ago, my profit jumped to 4,000 to 6,000 baht per day. Some shops have more than 10,000 baht per day profit.”
K. Panya said that he expects the prices, and profits, from Jatukham amulets to continue to increase in Phuket, especially if more miracles are attributed to them in the media.
With so may people getting in on the Jatukham bandwagon, perhaps it should come as little surprise that the government is seeking for ways to get its share of the spoils.
In late April, Revenue Department Director-General Sanit Rangnoi said the department was sending officials to check the estimated income from Jatukham transactions and was considering whether to tax enterprises related to the soaring sales of the amulets.
“There is a tremendous amount of money floating around in the amulet market. If the production of the talismans is for commercial purposes, it should be taxed. If the production is done purely out of faith, it may be exempt,” he said.
Thus far there has been no announcement that the Revenue Department was planning to move forward with the tax.
By Sompratch Saowadhon
http://www.phuketgazette.com/thirdweek/business.asp
21 August 2007
Now, Jatukham shadow puppets
The massive popularity of Jatukham Rammathep amulets has expanded to another famous product from the South - shadow-play puppets - and those involved are making handsome returns.
Images of many popular Jatukham Rammathep series are carved and varicoloured into cowhides and now much sought after by collectors. A standard size - 60cm by 60cm - Jatukham Rammathep cowhide piece is priced at Bt2,500, or higher rates when resold to retail buyers or tourists.
Makers of shadow-play puppets had previously had a hard time selling their products, as the popularity of the traditional performance itself has fallen among young people. To make them sell, all Jatukham Rammathep cowhide pieces must undergo local blessing ceremonies like the amulets that are also blessed by monks.
A maker of shadow-play puppets in Phatthalung, Sirat Sareebutr, said Jatukham Rammathep cowhide pieces made her around Bt70,000 a month - much more than her regular income from selling puppets.
Sirat sells Jatukham Rammathep cowhide pieces for Bt2,500 each to middlemen, who will resell them for around Bt2,900 or Bt3,500. If the cowhide piece is put in a special decorated frame she can earn Bt7,000 to Bt12,000 for one item.
Somphong Choojit, chairman of shadow-play puppets in Phatthalung, said his group would soon begin making Jatukham Rammathep cowhide pieces, as a large number of orders had come from buyers.
He said making Jatukham Rammathep cowhide pieces would double his monthly income of around Bt200,000, which he had earned through carving and decorating the image of Luang Phor Thuad - a late Buddhist monk highly revered among Buddhist southerners - on cowhide pieces.
The extensive sale of Jatukham Rammathep amulets now involves direct-sale techniques employed by housewives, or college students who sell part-time during school breaks. Sellers go around neighbourhoods door-to-door, seeking buyers with catalogues of images of various amulet models.
Many women already involved in direct-selling of cosmetics also include catalogues of Jatukham Rammathep amulets with their list of products. They make about 10 to 15 per cent in profit selling the already popular amulets directly to clients at their homes.
One woman called Katewadee who does direct selling said amulets were only acquired for buyers only after orders were placed, so that saleswoman don't have to carry the cost when going from house-to-house.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/19/national/national_30032134.php
Images of many popular Jatukham Rammathep series are carved and varicoloured into cowhides and now much sought after by collectors. A standard size - 60cm by 60cm - Jatukham Rammathep cowhide piece is priced at Bt2,500, or higher rates when resold to retail buyers or tourists.
Makers of shadow-play puppets had previously had a hard time selling their products, as the popularity of the traditional performance itself has fallen among young people. To make them sell, all Jatukham Rammathep cowhide pieces must undergo local blessing ceremonies like the amulets that are also blessed by monks.
A maker of shadow-play puppets in Phatthalung, Sirat Sareebutr, said Jatukham Rammathep cowhide pieces made her around Bt70,000 a month - much more than her regular income from selling puppets.
Sirat sells Jatukham Rammathep cowhide pieces for Bt2,500 each to middlemen, who will resell them for around Bt2,900 or Bt3,500. If the cowhide piece is put in a special decorated frame she can earn Bt7,000 to Bt12,000 for one item.
Somphong Choojit, chairman of shadow-play puppets in Phatthalung, said his group would soon begin making Jatukham Rammathep cowhide pieces, as a large number of orders had come from buyers.
He said making Jatukham Rammathep cowhide pieces would double his monthly income of around Bt200,000, which he had earned through carving and decorating the image of Luang Phor Thuad - a late Buddhist monk highly revered among Buddhist southerners - on cowhide pieces.
The extensive sale of Jatukham Rammathep amulets now involves direct-sale techniques employed by housewives, or college students who sell part-time during school breaks. Sellers go around neighbourhoods door-to-door, seeking buyers with catalogues of images of various amulet models.
Many women already involved in direct-selling of cosmetics also include catalogues of Jatukham Rammathep amulets with their list of products. They make about 10 to 15 per cent in profit selling the already popular amulets directly to clients at their homes.
One woman called Katewadee who does direct selling said amulets were only acquired for buyers only after orders were placed, so that saleswoman don't have to carry the cost when going from house-to-house.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/19/national/national_30032134.php
20 August 2007
Thunder of good fortune
Booming sales of Jatukham amulets is helping fuel the Thai economy, which otherwise would be at a standstill, say believers.
AT 4am, thunder roused a 40-something Thai businesswoman from sleep. As the sky thundered four times, Sujira Khovitoongij became frightened because when she looked out from her Bangkok apartment there was no rain or lightning.
She calmed down after realising that “Jatukham Rammathep had spoken” to her.
“At first I was very scared, but then I remembered that my business partner told me when there was such thunder it meant Jatukham was giving his blessing to my business venture,” relates Sujira of her experience that June 9 morning.
She and her business partners were to launch a store selling the Jatukham Rammathep amulet later that day.
They are among thousands of Thais cashing in on the Jatukham craze in Thailand that began last year. “In this business, these is no risk, only high returns. (On launch day), your company can make 60 million baht (RM6.3mil). I'm not exaggerating,” she declares.
She was not exaggerating. The Kasikorn Research Centre, a leading Bangkok-based economic think tank, estimates that since late last year Jatukham fever has generated more than 20 billion baht (RM2.1bil).
Jatukham, which is commonly worn in a plastic case around the neck, is so popular that recently a woman was trampled to death in a scramble to buy the amulet.
To explain the Jatukham phenomenon, Sujira narrates her own experience. When she enquired about a vacant store in the Nation Tower in Bangkok, she was told that it was booked. So she prayed to Jatukham.
And when she called the building management again, she was informed the store was available, as the person who booked it had cancelled his booking. “Jatukham performs miracles for those who ask his blessing,” she explains.
Sujira also relates a story about a Thai actor who was involved in a car accident. “He should have died, but he survived because he was wearing the Jatukham amulet,” she says.
Thais are also buying the amulet as a collector's item. “It is not only sacred, but its designs are also artistic,” she explains, adding that she planned to purchase amulets made of gold for her two young sons for them to use as dowry in the future.
When asked why Thailand is in turmoil although Thais believe in Jatukham, Sujira responded: “The sales of amulets is helping the economy. If there was no Jatukham business, our economy would be at a standstill.”
According to a report in The Nation, there are many legends regarding Jatukham Rammathep. The most credible account is that Jatukham Rammathep are “the aliases” of brother princes Inthara Sairen and Inthara Khao Kheo, sons of King Jantharaphanu, who ruled the Sri Thammasoke realm, the capital of the Krung Srivijaya Kingdom (757-1257) in southern Thailand, after their father founded it.
“The Sri Thammasoke realm began to degenerate as a result of their father’s absence of 20 years during which he expanded his dominion to as far as eastern India. The brothers founded a new capital at Chang Khom Sirithammarat (present-day Nakhon Si Thammarat), and renamed the realm Srivijaya Suvarnabhumi,” The Nation reported.
“(Even) long after their deaths, the two princes continued to be idolised by succeeding generations, and today are remembered by their preferred names of Jatukham and Rammathep.”
In 1987, Jatukham amulets priced at 39 baht (RM4.10), were created in Nakhon Si Thammarat to raise funds to build a Holy Pillar Shrine.
Today, the price has skyrocketed. For example, Sujira's company, Maharajmaharuay, sells amulets at between 199 baht or RM21 (for those made of clay) and 134,000 baht or RM14,100 (gold).
For the record, the most expensive Jatukham was one of the first ever minted, in 1987, which was sold for 1.2 million baht (RM126,000).
In a few months, Maharajmaharuay will export Jatukham amulets to Malaysia. “Apart from Thailand, Malaysia is a big market for Thai amulets as Malaysians, especially Buddhists, believe in them,” notes Sujira.
On the day Sujira launches her product in Malaysia, she hopes to be awakened by drum rolls of thunder.
http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2007/6/30/columnists/thaitakes/18121591&sec=Thai%20Takes
19 August 2007
Royal Thai Air Force takes Jatukham amulets on board
The craziness about Jatukham amulets is literally taking new heights as the RTAF is taking some much-sought-after amulets on routine flights on F-16 fighters in the hope of boosting their supernatural powers and market value.
Jatukham Rammathep is the name of an unusually popular amulet sold by some Buddhist temples in Thailand. The amulet is named for two princes of the Krung Srivijaya kingdom of southern Thailand, and is believed to provide protection and good fortune to the bearer.
Air Chief Marshal Paisal Sitabutr, the Air Force's deputy commander, could not explain the logic behind his reasoning but maintained the F-16's and F-5's supersonic speed would quicken one's good fortune, protection and prosperity. The unprecedented height would make the amulets stand out above the rest, literally and figuratively.
The fact that such a "dignified" institution as the Air Force was behind the making of this series of amulets would boost its reputation and sales, according to Paiasl. To mix business with amulets and the military seems so natural now in Thailand...
On Monday, the Air Force organised incantation rites for its amulets in Prachuab Khiri Khan. Paisal said the Air Force decided to join the Jatukham Rammathep fever because it wanted to collect huge sums of money for renovation of Wat Mahathat in Bangkok and the twin pagodas, Phra Mahathat Napha Methanidon and Phra Mahathat Naphaphon Phumisiri, on Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai.
The renovation projects costing about Bt100 million are to commemorate the 80th birthday of His Majesty the King in December, he said.
Paisal saw nothing wrong in the Air Force generating money by producing amulets and using the fighter jets in the incantation.
"Nowadays, what else can be done to generate huge money better than Jatukham?" he said. "We have fighters that fly regularly. We just asked the pilots to take the materials [to produce the amulets] with them. We did not hold any special flights for this thing," he said.
Since last year, Jatukham fever has spread throughout the country, grabbing the attention of celebrities, politicians and ordinary people.
The Kasikorn Research Centre estimated that from late last year more than Bt20 billion had been generated by the Jatukham craze. The Revenue Department was considering whether to tax enterprises related to the soaring sales of Jatukham items.
http://www.f-16.net/news_article2408.html
Jatukham Rammathep is the name of an unusually popular amulet sold by some Buddhist temples in Thailand. The amulet is named for two princes of the Krung Srivijaya kingdom of southern Thailand, and is believed to provide protection and good fortune to the bearer.
Air Chief Marshal Paisal Sitabutr, the Air Force's deputy commander, could not explain the logic behind his reasoning but maintained the F-16's and F-5's supersonic speed would quicken one's good fortune, protection and prosperity. The unprecedented height would make the amulets stand out above the rest, literally and figuratively.
The fact that such a "dignified" institution as the Air Force was behind the making of this series of amulets would boost its reputation and sales, according to Paiasl. To mix business with amulets and the military seems so natural now in Thailand...
On Monday, the Air Force organised incantation rites for its amulets in Prachuab Khiri Khan. Paisal said the Air Force decided to join the Jatukham Rammathep fever because it wanted to collect huge sums of money for renovation of Wat Mahathat in Bangkok and the twin pagodas, Phra Mahathat Napha Methanidon and Phra Mahathat Naphaphon Phumisiri, on Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai.
The renovation projects costing about Bt100 million are to commemorate the 80th birthday of His Majesty the King in December, he said.
Paisal saw nothing wrong in the Air Force generating money by producing amulets and using the fighter jets in the incantation.
"Nowadays, what else can be done to generate huge money better than Jatukham?" he said. "We have fighters that fly regularly. We just asked the pilots to take the materials [to produce the amulets] with them. We did not hold any special flights for this thing," he said.
Since last year, Jatukham fever has spread throughout the country, grabbing the attention of celebrities, politicians and ordinary people.
The Kasikorn Research Centre estimated that from late last year more than Bt20 billion had been generated by the Jatukham craze. The Revenue Department was considering whether to tax enterprises related to the soaring sales of Jatukham items.
http://www.f-16.net/news_article2408.html
18 August 2007
Jatukham - Ramathep and Tourism Industry of Nakhon Si Thammarat
The trend of "Jatukham-Ramathep" is the new occurrence of Thai society. Though the definition and meaning of Jatukham-Ramathep are still puzzled and lure to find out the answer. Many chronicles and theories have been trying to sort out the solution but still there is no conclusion for the case. Some said thatJatukham-Ramathep are the protecting Theva of Nakhon Si Thammarat, some said Jatukham-Ramathep are the gods of war in Hindu and are the sons of Siva that Tamil people have been respecting for thousand years. Some also said thatJatukham-Ramathep are King Jantharapanu who declared independence of Nakhon Si Thammarat from both Lawo and Srivichaya realms.
However, Nakhon Si Thammarat that is known as the source of Jatukham-Ramathep is promptly flourishing. All roads are heading to Nakhon Si Thammarat unceasingly. It is also believed that the genuine Jatukham-Ramathep medals must get through the virtue functions of Buddhist and Deva at Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihara and the City Shrine. Such trend makes tourists and believers from all four peninsulas everyday until Nakhon Si Thammarat becomes surprisingly agile and colorful. Flights to Nakhon Si Thammarat are increased in response to the unceasing number of tourists. According to the trend, hotels, restaurants, souvenirs shops, photo shops, publishers, frame shops, as well as herbal grounding shops are taking advantages of it. It can be said that the trend ofJatukham-Ramathep has been over turning tourist situation of Nakhon Si Thammarat to be unexpectedly thrived. The stories and believes about Jatukham-Ramathep are varied as same as variety models of Jatukham-Ramathep that have been made. Only sharing the same practice of worshiping the Jatukham-Ramathep , must behave itself to be in complete Five Precepts, Moral Fears, and working with full effort for the success. In response to thetrand, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) produced the Aor Sor Thor magazine, May 2007 issue, introduced the civilization of Nakhon Si Thammarat and tour programs introducing connecting routes in between responsible areas of TAT Southern Office Region 2 with the intentions to provide earnings to locals and extend length of tourist stays.
http://www.tat.or.th/south02/hotnewsdet.asp?id=304&dept_id=4
However, Nakhon Si Thammarat that is known as the source of Jatukham-Ramathep is promptly flourishing. All roads are heading to Nakhon Si Thammarat unceasingly. It is also believed that the genuine Jatukham-Ramathep medals must get through the virtue functions of Buddhist and Deva at Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihara and the City Shrine. Such trend makes tourists and believers from all four peninsulas everyday until Nakhon Si Thammarat becomes surprisingly agile and colorful. Flights to Nakhon Si Thammarat are increased in response to the unceasing number of tourists. According to the trend, hotels, restaurants, souvenirs shops, photo shops, publishers, frame shops, as well as herbal grounding shops are taking advantages of it. It can be said that the trend ofJatukham-Ramathep has been over turning tourist situation of Nakhon Si Thammarat to be unexpectedly thrived. The stories and believes about Jatukham-Ramathep are varied as same as variety models of Jatukham-Ramathep that have been made. Only sharing the same practice of worshiping the Jatukham-Ramathep , must behave itself to be in complete Five Precepts, Moral Fears, and working with full effort for the success. In response to thetrand, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) produced the Aor Sor Thor magazine, May 2007 issue, introduced the civilization of Nakhon Si Thammarat and tour programs introducing connecting routes in between responsible areas of TAT Southern Office Region 2 with the intentions to provide earnings to locals and extend length of tourist stays.
http://www.tat.or.th/south02/hotnewsdet.asp?id=304&dept_id=4
17 August 2007
Who is Jatukham Rammathep?
In light of last week's extraordinary scramble for coupons to buy a fervently desired amulet - which saw a woman crushed in a stampede at a temple in the South - many are asking just what is Jatukham Rammathep? And why does it produce such hysteria?
There are many legends about the origins of Jatukham Rammathep, the name used to identify a certain kind of amulet, but it is generally agreed that it goes way back in the mists of time, long before the northern kingdoms emerged.
Perhaps the most credible account is provided by late crime-buster Phantharak Rajjadej, who helped to create the famous amulets, as described in an almanac authored by Seawrite Award winner Jamlong Fangchollajit, a native of Nakhon Si Thammarat, where the history of it is set.
Jatukham Rammathep is two people, not one. The names are the aliases of brother princes Inthara Sairen and Inthara Khao Kheo, sons of King Jantharaphanu, who ruled the Sri Thammasoke realm, the capital of the Krung Srivijaya Kingdom (757-1257) in southern Thailand, after his father who founded it.
The Sri Thammasoke realm began to degenerate as a result of their father's absence of 20 years during which he expanded his dominion to as far as eastern India. The brothers founded a new capital at Chang Khom Sirithammarat (present day Nakhon Si Thammarat), and renamed the realm Srivijaya Suvarnabhumi.
Some legends say Jatukham Rammathep was another royal person living in a different era altogether, while others suggest it was a name given to King Jantharaphanu himself.
But all legends - under the influence of Mahayana Buddhism which was widely observed during the period - commonly believe that whatever king or royal person the name belongs to, the right holder of the name is an Avalokitesvara, a future Buddha after numerous rebirths committed to intense self-dedication and intense sacrifice.
Long after their deaths, the two princes continue to be idealised by succeeding generations of residents of Nakhon Si Thammarat and today are remembered by their preferred names of Jatukham and Rammathep as guardian angels.
The Jatukham Rammathep amulets were first produced in 1987 as part of the establishment of the province's Holy Pillar Shrine. The circular amulet, with a 5cm diameter, was priced at Bt39.
Today, the amulets sell for between Bt200 and Bt500 for the basic item, and as much as Bt1,000 for amulets produced in a limited edition. The prices can soar sharply by up to 10 times when their popularity peaks after just a few months. For example, the "Arch-Millionaire" series now trades at around Bt10,000 compared to about Bt150 when it was released in May last year.
The reported highest price ever paid for a single amulet is Bt1.2 million - by a mine owner to the original owner of a 1987 charm. An unconfirmed report earlier this year said the owner of a local lingerie store in the province sold a number of the amulets for Bt3.2 million to a buyer based in the United States.
There are more than 150 series of Jatukham Rammathep amulets planned for this year alone. Productions must be approved by the Pillar Shrine committee and the amulets are required to undergo Buddhist and Brahman blessing ceremonies held at the Holy Pillar Shrine or Mahathat Woramaha-wiharn temple in the province.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/17/national/national_30032023.php
There are many legends about the origins of Jatukham Rammathep, the name used to identify a certain kind of amulet, but it is generally agreed that it goes way back in the mists of time, long before the northern kingdoms emerged.
Perhaps the most credible account is provided by late crime-buster Phantharak Rajjadej, who helped to create the famous amulets, as described in an almanac authored by Seawrite Award winner Jamlong Fangchollajit, a native of Nakhon Si Thammarat, where the history of it is set.
Jatukham Rammathep is two people, not one. The names are the aliases of brother princes Inthara Sairen and Inthara Khao Kheo, sons of King Jantharaphanu, who ruled the Sri Thammasoke realm, the capital of the Krung Srivijaya Kingdom (757-1257) in southern Thailand, after his father who founded it.
The Sri Thammasoke realm began to degenerate as a result of their father's absence of 20 years during which he expanded his dominion to as far as eastern India. The brothers founded a new capital at Chang Khom Sirithammarat (present day Nakhon Si Thammarat), and renamed the realm Srivijaya Suvarnabhumi.
Some legends say Jatukham Rammathep was another royal person living in a different era altogether, while others suggest it was a name given to King Jantharaphanu himself.
But all legends - under the influence of Mahayana Buddhism which was widely observed during the period - commonly believe that whatever king or royal person the name belongs to, the right holder of the name is an Avalokitesvara, a future Buddha after numerous rebirths committed to intense self-dedication and intense sacrifice.
Long after their deaths, the two princes continue to be idealised by succeeding generations of residents of Nakhon Si Thammarat and today are remembered by their preferred names of Jatukham and Rammathep as guardian angels.
The Jatukham Rammathep amulets were first produced in 1987 as part of the establishment of the province's Holy Pillar Shrine. The circular amulet, with a 5cm diameter, was priced at Bt39.
Today, the amulets sell for between Bt200 and Bt500 for the basic item, and as much as Bt1,000 for amulets produced in a limited edition. The prices can soar sharply by up to 10 times when their popularity peaks after just a few months. For example, the "Arch-Millionaire" series now trades at around Bt10,000 compared to about Bt150 when it was released in May last year.
The reported highest price ever paid for a single amulet is Bt1.2 million - by a mine owner to the original owner of a 1987 charm. An unconfirmed report earlier this year said the owner of a local lingerie store in the province sold a number of the amulets for Bt3.2 million to a buyer based in the United States.
There are more than 150 series of Jatukham Rammathep amulets planned for this year alone. Productions must be approved by the Pillar Shrine committee and the amulets are required to undergo Buddhist and Brahman blessing ceremonies held at the Holy Pillar Shrine or Mahathat Woramaha-wiharn temple in the province.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/17/national/national_30032023.php
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