Thai taxi drivers turn to holy amulets to protect them from coronavirus
- The tradition of collecting, buying and selling the amulets is so popular that Bangkok even has a dedicated market in its historic quarter
- The government has shut the market whenever Covid-19 infections have spiked, due to the bazaar’s popularity among older Thais
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After muttering a prayer, Thai taxi driver Sopee Silpakit strings a chain of amulets around his neck then jumps behind the wheel – buoyed by the peace of mind the ritual gives him against Covid-19.
The 65-year-old’s job driving a cab in Bangkok puts him in contact daily with the public, and his way of life is now plagued with worry, with the Thai capital the epicentre of a third wave.
“I pray to these amulets every day: ‘Don’t let the virus come near me,’” he says. “I really do believe that they could protect me from the virus and keep me in good health.”
The charms may be simple – such as a small Buddha statue – or more elaborate, featuring intricate carvings encased behind a plastic covering for protection.
Sopee – whose cab has more than a hundred holy objects adorning its interior – says he is “more confident” that his taxi is virus-free than he would be without any spiritual protection.
“I don’t really care how much these amulets in my taxi are worth,” he says, the charms hanging from his rear-view mirror swinging as he manoeuvres his way around narrow residential alleys. “It really comes down to how much it’s worth to my mind.”
“The most expensive ones in my possession are about 10,000-20,000 baht (US$320-US$640),” says taxi driver Wasan Sukjit, 43, who says he receives rare amulets from different provinces as gifts.
His cab also has a large cloth scroll featuring a Buddhist monk adorning its ceiling – as if the abbot is watching over him as he moves through Bangkok’s choking traffic.
Among taxi drivers, the belief in these holy objects is fuelled by miraculous tales of drivers surviving accidents on Thailand’s notoriously dangerous roads.
“Some Buddhist amulet-decorated cars were in vehicle crashes but the drivers only sustained minor cuts and scratches,” Wasan says, adding that his decked-out cab also “helps attract customers”.
His extensive collection may give passengers peace of mind from the virus.
“But of course the real and physical protections would have to be masks and alcohol gel,” he says, his surgical face mask always strapped onto his face.
