Thai Amulets-Palad Khik-Love Charm

There are many Thai amulets available but none more strange to the visitor than the love charm, the Palad Khik, a small phallus like object or Shiva Lingam (Linga) which Thai males wear around their waist on a cord. The Palad Khik amulet came to Thailand hundreds of years ago with the Khmers from Cambodia but its origins go back to India and the Hindu Deity Shiva who is frequently represented as a Shiva Linga.
At first known as a Paras “ปรัศว์”, it became to be known as the Palad Khik “ปลัดขิก”, because of the sniggering noises (which sound like khik) that some people made when they first saw these Thai amulets being worn. Palad Khik are worn almost exclusively by Thai males although they are sometimes carried by Thai females. As with many Thai amulets, Palad Khik are worn for protection, especially against evil spirits who it is hoped will mistake the false phallus for the real thing.

Palad Khik can be made from many substances including Bone, Wood, Ivory and even metal. These amulets can be plain but frequently have designs carved into them. Unlike most other Thai amulets, Palad Khik should be worn below the waist (certainly never around the neck or above any other Buddhist amulet.

Etiquette says that the Palad Khik should be worn on the right to gain popularity, charm to attract women and to achieve a loving relationship but worn on the left to gain advantages in business, good sales, good luck. Some Thais will wear a Palad Khik to bring them luck in gambling but please note that gambling is illegal in Thailand!
Many shopkeepers will have a Palad Khik on display just inside their shops or in their cash registers to bring them good sales and some Thai women will carry one in their handbag to protect them against mugging and rape.