Amulet Seller Defends Sacred Coins Amid Resale Controversy
An amulet seller defends sacred coins from Ayutthaya's Phutthaisawan Temple, offering full refunds to unhappy buyers as resale controversy swirls around the popular Jatukam Ramathep collectibles.
On September 12, Thanat Chaiwachirashakdi, a well-known amulet enthusiast, addressed the controversy surrounding the "upper realm" coins from Phutthaisawan Temple in Ayutthaya, which have become famous among collectors of Jatukam Ramathep amulets. Many devotees have recently returned the coins and stopped worshipping them, raising questions about whether the amulet market has been affected.
Thanat explained that coins purchased from his shop come with a certificate of authenticity and he will repurchase them at 100 percent of the original price, regardless of wear and tear. He emphasized his motto: "If you know Thanat the True Fan, you will not lose money. Even if I lose money, if you are unhappy after purchasing, I will buy it back."
The upper realm coins feature Jatukam Ramathep, an ancient king who built the Nakhon Chedi, on the front, and the image of the abbot of Phutthaisawan Temple on the back, with only auspicious inscriptions and no curses or harmful words. When the coins were blessed in 2549, 15 respected monks participated in the ceremony, with the late Abbot Choti being the last to perform the consecration.
Thanat stressed that Jatukam Ramathep is a benevolent deity who has always helped people, and there is nothing problematic about the amulets. He noted that foreign buyers are now inquiring about purchasing the coins at reasonable prices, focusing on the coins' spiritual power rather than personal drama. He acknowledged that the price of the copper upper realm coins from 2459 has risen from 300 baht to 30,000–40,000 baht, and questioned whether collectors would continue buying if the amulets had not produced real results for worshippers.
Thanat expressed sadness about the situation and reflected on karma, believing that people experience the consequences of their own actions. He urged people to focus on the positive aspects of the amulet—Jatukam Ramathep seated on a serpent with Rahu below—rather than on negative circumstances. He acknowledged feeling regret that he introduced hundreds of acquaintances to worship the late Abbot Choti and that millions of baht donated in merit-making did not benefit society as intended. Despite this, Thanat remains committed to supporting good causes and is open to repurchasing coins from those who wish to resell them.
