Buddhist amulets play a big role in Thai culture and you’ll soon notice many Thais, particularly men, wearing some form of amulet or Buddha figurine around their neck. The amulets are made by temples or individual monks and thought to have magical, protective powers that require the utmost respect. While some are made in bulk quantities, the most sought after pieces are from well-respected monks who have already passed away and can even be hundreds of years old.

At Chiang Mai’s amulet market you’ll find cases of amulets and talismans, often with older men peering at them through small magnifying glasses trying to discern their worth, along with plenty of other accessories such as necklaces, Buddha statues, cords and cases. What’s most interesting, however, is watching the craftsmen at the market creating protective casing for the amulets out of plastic, silver and gold. Most everything is done by hand with simple tools in little booths and is quite impressive. Even if you don’t completely understand the world of Thailand amulets, you can’t help but notice the sense of respect and community found at the market.