This website is owned and maintained by Khun Maneewan, an avid collector of Thai amulets. Educated in the United Kingdom she holds a doctorate in Asian Philosophy and Religion.

The majority of English language websites, forums or blogs about the modern day cult of Thai amulets feature the same old stories and amulets. Most of the background information published plagiarised from each other.

These sites predominantly feature what are commonly thought of as popular or newly created amulets, sacralised during the last 50 years. Amulets are essentially modern day votive tablets.

The value of such amulets are often based not so much on the rarity of its style, but on such intangibles as the prominence of the monk who blessed it or the supernatural powers endowed on the wearer,

Instead of remaining as devotional Buddhist objects, amulets have taken on the characteristics of personal, power enhancing, or protective icons.

Although this is an evolution and continuance of a centuries old tradition, the actual significance has become somewhat diluted over time.

It is also unfortunate that the real treasures have been overlooked by many collectors in favour of these more impressive modern day pims. This I suspect may be due to the apparent lack of knowledge and information available in the English language.

The website www.phra-kru.com attempts to address some of the above issues by taking a more mature and informative approach to the entire subject.

Whilst it’s impossible to escape the contemporary beliefs of the modern day amulet collector we will not over emphasize the mystical qualities, rather concentrate on the historical significance, iconography and artistic relevance to the Buddhist faith.

This approach I hope will lead to a more balanced overview whilst at the same time re-kindle some interest in those that have become jaded by the commercial hype.