KATHA Kuman Tong and Ruk-Yom: the Fortune Makers PART1

The myth about some talismans is mysterious because they are believed to possess spirits which sometimes show themselves to people in the house or the neighborhood.


The said talismans are Kuman Tong and Ruk-Yom which both could bring good luck to your business and add charm to their owners, and protect them in case of danger.

The Origin of Kuman Tong Kuman Tong has been a very popular talisman in Thai society. Nowadays we can see the statues of Kuman Tong placed in many stores because the storekeepers believe that he could help them increase the customers in their stores and he could also bring good luck to the owners.

The myth of Kuman Tong was first appeared in the classic Thai literature, Kun Chang Kun Pan. Kun Pan, the protagonist of the story, discovered that Boa Klee, one of his wives, planed to poison him.

He, therefore, murdered her, took a dead fetus from his wife's womb and decided to make his dead son Kuman Tong.

Kum Pan burnt the dead fetus to make the body smaller, covered it with gold leaves, and wrapped him up with a sheet.

Besides Fafeun sword and Si Mohk horse, Kuman Tong was one of the sacred things that Kun Pan tried to find all of his life.

Kuman Tong was a very significant thing for Kun Pan because he was also his son.

Moreover, Kuman Tong was a baby spirit; he could travel with Kun Pan everywhere unlike the other sacred things.

Kuman Tong has been classified as a sacred talisman since Ayuttaya Period and he still gains the same reputation in the moment.

Yet, we cannot create Kuman Tong in the same way with Kun Pan because it is illegal and immoral.



The Legend of Kuman Tong the Killer

There are two kinds of Kuman Tong, one is wild, ferocious and can destroy enemy, the other is able to add charm and bring fortune.

The first kind of Kuman Tong is fierce.

There are other four types of fierce Kuman Tong including

Kuman Tong Pretmun,

Kuman Tong Pretdub,

Kuman Tong Pretkong,

and Kuman Tong Pretsoon.

They can be called "Pret Puti Ngan" or "Kuman Pretprab".

People use them only to hurt or murder the enemy.

According to the legend, in creating this kind of Kuman Tong, the clergyman had to invite ghosts who died in unnatural death or evil spirits to inhabit in the statue of Kuman Tong.

These four kinds of fierce Kuman Tong have his own ways to destroy the enemy.

Kuman Tong Pretsoon has a power to drive people crazy.

Kuman Tong Pretkong and

Kuman Tong Pretmun are very good in protecting property;

they will kill the stranger who invades the house.

The only thing that can subdue Kuman Tong Pretmun is Wou Tanoo, which is made of wood used in carrying the dead body. Yet,

Kuman Tong Pretkong's power is much stronger than Kuman Tong Pretmun because he is able to conquest Wou Tanoo.

Maybe the only thing that can stop Kuman Tong Pretkong is the copper Wou Tanoo or Kway Tanoo. Moreover, Kuman Tong Pretkong is able to chase after the enemy everywhere but Kuman Tong Pretmun can only exercise his power in his sphere.

Kuman Tong Pretkong therefore is an outstanding black spirit which can hardly find anything to conquest him.

Kuman Tong Pretdub is a cold-blooded killer who can cut the enemy's throat as fast as the professional killer.

Kuman Tong the killers are still popular among people who believe in black magic. They are not quite famous among ordinary talisman collectors.

The type of Kuman Tong that we can find in general is not fierce like Kuman Tong the killer.

This kind of Kuman Tong, called valuable Kuman Tong, is good in bringing people good luck, adding charm, and increasing advantage in business, and there is no harm for the owner.

Kuman Tong who could add charm

Another kind of Kuman Tong that is used to watch houses, store, and invite customer, does not have any particular name.

Generally, the owner of Kuman Tong will name his talisman himself such as Udomdat, Udomlap, and Udomchoke.

We can find many people worshiping this kind of Kuman Tong because they are not fierce and can add charm to their owner.

In the past Kuman Tong in this kind created by Laung Por Tae from Wat Sam Ngam Temple were very powerful.

Nowadays they are usually created by Laung Por Yam who is the direct disciple of Laung Por Tae. Kuman Tong who could add charm cannot hurt anyone.

They have their special power to protect the houses, inviting customer, and bringing good luck. They do not have any power from evil spirit and black magic to hurt or destroy like Kuman Tong the killer.

The clergymen merely create these good Kuman Tong to encourage merchants who have good deed and want something to hold to.

Therefore this kind of Kuman Tong is the most famous talisman in these days.