Luang Pho Kaeo of Wat Kruawan in Chonburi province was a supreme venerable monk and old-era master circa 1853 CE, skilled in Vipassana meditation and artistic crafts. Villagers honored him as the abbot of Wat Kruawan and credited him with creating the famous Phra Pidta amulets made from sacred clay mixed with lacquer and from lead. These are regarded as the “king of Phra Pidta amulets made from sacred clay and lead,” renowned for their spiritual powers in charm, popularity, fortune, and invincibility.
“Luang Pho Kaeo’s Lead Phra Pidta Amulet from Wat Kruawan”
The famous lacquer-coated clay Phra Pidta amulet, well known for its charm and sought after widely, is the one made by Luang Pho Kaeo of Wat Kruawan, Chonburi. However, authentic Luang Pho Kaeo Phra Pidta amulets are extremely rare. It has been said that finding a Luang Pho Kaeo Phra Pidta is even harder than finding a Somdej amulet, which is true.
Luang Pho Kaeo’s Phra Pidta amulet, especially the lacquer-coated clay type, is genuinely difficult to find authentic examples because the number created was quite limited. According to oral tradition, the making process was very complex, involving sacred powders and auspicious herbs. Moreover, these amulets were made over a century ago. Those who possess them cherish them deeply, mostly passing them down as heirlooms. Today, their value is very high.
Besides the lacquer-coated clay type, Luang Pho Kaeo’s Phra Pidta amulets also exist in lead material. These are made in half-section forms, smaller than the large and medium-sized Phra Pidta amulets, with sizes close to the small lacquer-coated clay Phra Pidta amulets.
According to elderly people in the Chonburi area, in the early days Luang Pho Kaeo made Phra Pidta amulets from lacquer-coated clay. There was an incident where someone scraped powder from the amulet, dissolved it in water, and gave it to a woman to drink, causing her to fall in love with that man. Someone reported this to Luang Pho Kaeo, who then cursed that anyone who scraped his amulet powder to make a woman drink it without marrying her would face misfortune.
After that, Luang Pho Kaeo became selective about whom he gave lacquer-coated clay Phra Pidta amulets to. Another reason for creating lead amulets was that some disciples worked as fishermen. When they wore the lacquer-coated clay amulets while frequently working in water, the amulets easily deteriorated. They requested Luang Pho Kaeo to make amulets from lead for greater durability during their work.
Luang Pho Kaeo then made lead Phra Pidta amulets, as passed down by the elders of Chonburi. There is also a story from the old days near a night food market and gathering place for locals and fishermen. On some occasions, drunken quarrels would occur. Once, during a fight, a man was stabbed multiple times with a sharp stingray tail bone weapon, which is very sharp.
The stingray tail bone was often used to make handles for weapons by the fishermen. Despite being stabbed several times, the wounds did not penetrate. People wondered what kind of amulet he wore, discovering he had only one Phra Pidta amulet made of lead by Luang Pho Kaeo, wrapped with wire around his neck. This story has been passed down through generations.
Today, authentic Luang Pho Kaeo’s lead Phra Pidta amulets remain rare. Although their price is somewhat more affordable than the lacquer-coated clay ones, they still command high value and are difficult to find genuine pieces. Many counterfeit and imitation amulets exist, some made in later periods with similar designs. Buyers should exercise caution when acquiring these amulets.