Evil 'charms'

[evanson]

I was walking through Ta Prachan a while back when I reached down and picked up a peculiar root like object in the form of a fairly large feotus.

My Thai companion was terrified when I asked the vendor 'how much?' (1k) and asked if I would be able to 'take care' if 'it got out'?!

I'm assuming it's the opposite of a good luck charm ( ). But what is it? Does anyone know of any other 'artifacts' which terrify Thais?

[Samuian]

I was walking through Ta Prachan a while back when I reached down and picked up a peculiar root like object in the form of a fairly large feotus.

My Thai companion was terrified when I asked the vendor 'how much?' (1k) and asked if I would be able to 'take care' if 'it got out'?!

I'm assuming it's the opposite of a good luck charm ( <img src="http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /> ). But what is it? Does anyone know of any other 'artifacts' which terrify Thais?

Would you drive an unknwon road blindfolded?

[GarryP]

It sounds like a kuman tong or Luk Krok. The latter is supposed to be a a baby child or animal which dies while in the womb but still retains its spirit. Some are kept in very small bottles with oil but some are not. It is supposed to look after its owner (protect) and do the owners bidding, but the owner should also make offerings to it. If the owner treats it badly or does not look after it, it will either bring misfortune on the owner or act up and cause trouble until proper care is taken of it. The former is quite similar.

Edited June 7, 2010 by GarryP

[camerata]

Here is a photo from Thai Rath of a Luk Krok.