Phuket shrines to make Chinese-style Jatukham amulets

PHUKET CITY: Three Chinese shrines on the island are joining forces to make Chinese-style versions of the popular Jatukham Ramathep amulet in order to raise money to build a 60-million-baht VIP wing at Vachira Phuket Hospital.

A press conference was held at Pud Jor Shrine on June 18 to describe the amulet-making process and inform the public how to reserve the amulets.

Since May 9, More than 2.5 million baht in down payments have been placed to reserve the amulets.

The Chinese versions will have a Jatukham image on one side and an image of the Chinese deity Phra Pothisat on the other. Various sizes and types will be available, ranging in price from 99 baht to 599 baht.

Some 200,000 amulets will be made at the Pud Jor Shrine on Soi Phuthon on September 15 and handed over to devotees in a ceremony on September 22.

There will be a large religious ceremony at the shrine on June 21, starting at 5 pm, to bless the amulet-making materials and pray to Chinese deities.

Vachira Phuket Hospital Director Dr Jessada Chungpaibulpatana said Vachira Phuket needs a new 60-room VIP ward, improvements to increase the parking area and medical equipment upgrades.

The new ward would be named “Luang Por Cham Wat Chalong 100 Pi Vachira Phuket”, after the revered monk of the same name and the temple where he practiced during his lifetime, he said.

“Now we have already raised 24 million baht in donations and Wat Chalong has agreed to provide 10 million baht in additional support. We hope to raise 20 million baht from the amulet-making,” he said.

Amulets can be reserved at Vachira Hospital, Jui Tui Shrine, Pud Jor Shrine and Giw Tien Shrine, all open daily. For more information call Jui Tui Shrine (076-213243) or contact K .Theerawuth (081-8937265) or K. Wanchai (086-9497293).