Thai black magic is a complex and mysterious topic that has captured the interest of many people around the world. The Thai black magic book, also known as "Kru Kai," is a key source of information about this ancient practice. This book is filled with spells, rituals, and incantations that are believed to have the power to manipulate and control people, events, and even the supernatural. The Thai black magic book is written in a secret and esoteric language, making it difficult for outsiders to understand its contents fully. It is said that only a select few individuals possess the knowledge and skills to decipher and utilize the spells contained within the book. These individuals are often referred to as "masters" or "sorcerers" and are highly respected in Thai society.
These individuals are often referred to as "masters" or "sorcerers" and are highly respected in Thai society. The spells and rituals in the Thai black magic book cover a wide range of purposes. Some are designed to bring luck, wealth, or success, while others aim to harm enemies or gain power over others.
Review– Power, Protection and Magic in Thailand: The Cosmos of a Southern Policemen
The trend towards the serious scholarly study of Thailand’s regions is well over four decades old now, but different regions have attracted different degrees of attention. Most studied (by far) is the north, followed by the northeast. Scholarly works on southern Thailand, by comparison, are much fewer, and these studies are disproportionately weighted to the conflict in the southern border provinces and its majority Muslim population. Studies of the predominantly Buddhist “upper south” – the region stretching approximately from the province of Surat Thani through to Songkhla, are exceedingly rare. Craig Reynolds’ Power, Protection, and Magic in Thailand: The Cosmos of a Southern Policeman is therefore a welcome addition to research on this sparsely studied region.
Throughout his long and illustrious career as a historian of Thailand Reynolds has constantly changed his interests and approach. This book represents yet another shift. It is his first attempt to focus on a regional topic. It is, at the same time, something of a homage to the region of the country he first encountered over half a century ago, when he was a Peace Corps volunteer teacher at a school in Krabi province on the shores of the Andaman Sea (p. xv). While the geographical focus differs from his earlier work, the reader will instantly recognize the hallmarks of Reynolds’ style as a historian: his interest in the life stories of Thais as individuals, in social history, in Buddhism and indigenous cultural traditions, in forms of masculinity, in the relationship between the Thai state and society, and in the emergence of the nation-state.
The subject of the book is the career of the famous southern Thai policeman, Khun Phantharakratchadet (1898? – 2006). 1 The policemen is famous not only for his exploits in suppressing crime – he was responsible for killing 62 criminals over the course of his career (p. 6) – but also for his use of the “dark arts” of black magic in his pursuit of criminals. At the end of his career he was involved in the production of a famous amulet, the Jatukham Ramathep, which for a brief period around the time of his death became the most sought-after amulet in Thai history. Around the career of this unusual policeman Reynolds crafts an absorbing social history of southern Thailand which explores the rich lore of black magic (known in Thai as saiyasat), the history of policing, masculinity and violence, and the Thai state’s taming of this wild part of the country. The story is set against the “watery world” (p. 67) of the mid-south, where the peninsula’s unique environment of towering limestone outcrops, caves, swamps, lakes, lagoons, canals, and jungles, divided down the centre by mountain ranges, created ideal conditions for lawlessness and banditry. As Reynolds shows (pp.71-4), due its location adjacent to both the Straits of Melaka and the Gulf of Siam this region has historically been exposed to successive waves of external cultural influence: Brahmanism, Buddhism (both the Mahayana and Theravadin schools), Islam, Chinese migration, as well as the more recent Western colonial presence. The cultural traces left by each of these civilizational waves add another layer of complexity to understanding the south.
The picture of the south in the early twentieth century that emerges from the book is of a wild and violent region integrated only loosely into the Thai kingdom. Khun Phantharakratchadet, though a native of the largest province of the south, Nakhon Si Thammarat, became, in effect, an agent of the Thai state (pp. 5, 25). The literal translation of his name means “pledged to protect royal power” (p. 25). His story is also the story of the Thai state’s drive to establish law and order in the south over the course of the twentieth century. He entered the police academy in 1925 and began his policing career four years later (p. 35). This was the heyday of the police force, especially under the leadership of Police General Phao Siyanond, known in Thailand as the “father of Thailand’s modern police” (p. 97); internationally he was once called the “Iron Man of Asia” (p. 100). Reynold’s recounting of the career of “Khun Phan”, as he came to be popularly known, reminds us of the raw violence of this era which is too often hidden beneath the euphemisms of “nation-building” or “national integration”. Across his knuckles Khun Phan had tattooed the consonants of the word, “executioner” (p. 6). In one story, perhaps apocryphal, he engaged in personal combat with a bandit, finally overcoming him by standing on his genitals to pin him to the ground and strangling him to death (p. 42). In another incident, after shooting dead a bandit he had his head impaled on a stake and displayed outside the Phatthalung provincial police station (p. 54). Despite some concern over his “unsound” methods Khun Phan came to the attention of his superiors early in his career and was even awarded a noble title in 1931, one year before the end of the absolute monarchy (p. 43).
Power, Protection, and Magic is a welcome examination of a subject that is seriously understudied and poorly understood, Thailand’s rich tradition of magical lore. Reynolds argues that Khun Phan set out to master various forms of occult knowledge to offset the risks associated with the dangerous job of policing. His aim was to achieve the power of invulnerability (p. 7). He studied with monks at the cave monastery, Wat Khao Or, in Phatthalung province, known for the study of the magical arts, where the monks shared their knowledge with both bandits and the police. There Khun Phan underwent the initiation rites, derived from Brahmanical tradition, which included immersing himself in a special herbal bath for several days that supposedly toughened the skin to withstand knife blades and bullets (p. 39). How rationally minded modern people are to understand the widely accepted popular belief in the efficacy of magic is one of the themes of the book.
By the author’s own admission this book was written with a view to being as accessible as possible. Its readability disguises the fact that it is based on extensive research in both the Thai and international scholarly literature, supplemented by field interviews. The book is beautifully produced with full colour photos. Reynolds has also produced attractive and informative video clips of each of the chapters in the book filmed on site. URL links to the video content are included at the beginning of each chapter.
This book is vintage Reynolds. It will fascinate, astonish, and educate the reader about one of Southeast Asia’s least understood regions. Read it.
Reviewed by Patrick Jory
School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
The University of Queensland
- There is some uncertainty as to the year of his birth; see Reynolds, Power, Protection, and Magic in Thailand, pp. 31-2. ↩
Power, Protection, and Magic is a welcome examination of a subject that is seriously understudied and poorly understood, Thailand’s rich tradition of magical lore. Reynolds argues that Khun Phan set out to master various forms of occult knowledge to offset the risks associated with the dangerous job of policing. His aim was to achieve the power of invulnerability (p. 7). He studied with monks at the cave monastery, Wat Khao Or, in Phatthalung province, known for the study of the magical arts, where the monks shared their knowledge with both bandits and the police. There Khun Phan underwent the initiation rites, derived from Brahmanical tradition, which included immersing himself in a special herbal bath for several days that supposedly toughened the skin to withstand knife blades and bullets (p. 39). How rationally minded modern people are to understand the widely accepted popular belief in the efficacy of magic is one of the themes of the book.
They often involve the use of ingredients such as herbs, animal parts, and sacred objects. The Thai black magic book holds a significant place in Thai culture and spirituality. It is believed that by following the instructions and chanting the incantations correctly, one can tap into the supernatural forces and harness their power for personal gain. However, it is essential to note that the practice of black magic is considered controversial and can have ethical and karmic implications. In recent years, the Thai black magic book has gained attention and popularity among tourists and collectors alike. Many people visit Thailand in search of these mystical books, hoping to learn about and experience the power of black magic firsthand. However, it is crucial to approach this topic with respect and caution, as the consequences of misusing or mishandling these spells can be severe. In conclusion, the Thai black magic book is a fascinating and enigmatic artifact that offers insight into the ancient practice of black magic in Thailand. Its contents and rituals offer a glimpse into a world of supernatural power and the belief in the manipulation of fate and destiny. While it can be intriguing to explore, it is vital always to approach the topic with respect and understanding of the potential consequences..
Reviews for "From Famous Incantations to Personal Rituals: Diving Into the Contents of Thai Black Magic Books"
1. Olivia - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to read "Thai black magic book" as I'm fascinated by the supernatural. However, I was quite disappointed with this book. The writing style was dry and lacked any engaging narrative. The author failed to provide any real insights into the world of Thai black magic and most of the content felt like a regurgitation of general knowledge. Overall, I found it to be a dull and uninformative read.
2. Ethan - 1/5 stars - This book was a complete waste of my time. The title suggests that it would delve into the intriguing world of Thai black magic, but instead, it barely scratched the surface. The information provided was extremely shallow and left me with more questions than answers. The lack of depth made it seem like the author simply wanted to cash in on the topic without putting in any real effort. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a genuine exploration of Thai black magic.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Thai black magic book," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The content was repetitive, with the same information being presented multiple times throughout the book. The author seemed to lack a clear structure and jumped from one topic to another without any cohesion. Additionally, the writing style was dry and uninspiring, making it difficult for me to stay engaged. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointment and would advise others to look elsewhere for a more comprehensive and well-written exploration of Thai black magic.