Inventing Thai Amulets for the Chinese Achan Meng and the Nine-Tailed Fox
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Abstract
This article explores the creation of the Nine-Tailed Fox amulet by Achan Meng Khunphaen (1957–2021), a Sino–Thai lay ritualist. Since 2010, Achan Meng adapted the Chinese fox cult into his controversial amulet, believed to enhance charisma and sexual attraction, gaining immense popularity among trans-Asian ethnic Chinese communities. Opinions about his legitimacy vary, with some viewing him as a swindling opportunist while others see him as a gifted ritual master. The Nine-Tailed Fox amulet reflects the inclusivity of Thai religious practices and the rise of “cults of charisma” since the late 2000s, bridging two cultural traditions.
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