Phra Khong Lamphun is among the most important ancient amulets of Northern Thailand, originating from Lamphun, the former kingdom of Hariphunchai. Its history reaches back more than 1,300 years to the reign of Queen Chamadevi, who brought Buddhism, monks, and Dvaravati artistic traditions from Lavo to Hariphunchai in the 7th century CE. As part of the consecration of the city, she established the four protective temples at each corner of the walls. The northern temple, Wat Phra Khong Rue Si, became the source of the Phra Khong amulets, believed to have been blessed by the hermits who founded the city.
The amulets are crafted from fired clay, aged and compact, with natural inclusions from the sacred soils of Lamphun. They depict the Buddha in subduing Mara posture, seated in lotus beneath a Bodhi arch. Around the figure runs a double row of dotted motifs known as khai pla, with a thin radiating halo extending down the sides. The features are rounded and full, the design small yet deliberate, with an average height of 2.8 centimeters and width of 1.7 centimeters. Surfaces appear in shades of green, yellow, black, red, and white, with the green examples from Wat Phra Khong Rue Si especially esteemed.
Collectors distinguish between older finds and newer discoveries by the quality of the clay. The older pieces are fine, firm, and resilient, often revealing small reddish specks of sacred herbal material. Newer pieces appear coarser, with looser grains and embedded particles that lie deeper in the surface. These details form the primary method of separation between early and later excavations.
The spiritual power of Phra Khong Lamphun is consistently described in terms of invulnerability and survival. It grants kongkrapan chatri—immunity against weapons and harm—while protecting the bearer from danger, misfortune, and hostility. Warriors and laymen alike trusted it for safety in conflict and stability in life. Its baramee is not confined to the battlefield; it carries blessings of peace, longevity, and protection that extend to daily living.
Over the centuries, Phra Khong Lamphun has become both rare and revered. It stands as part of the Lamphun family of ancient amulets alongside Phra Rod, Phra Perm, Phra Bang, and Phra Ruea. Each embodies the endurance of Buddhism in the North, but Phra Khong is remembered as the guardian of Lamphun itself, a relic of history and faith preserved in clay.